| 2011.12.22 |
Cowboys & Aliens was a fun production of a neat concept — what would
people from the Old West do if they were attacked by a technologically advanced extraterrestrial
aggressor?
I'd say (yes, from the comfort of my sofa), the actors did a fair job of reaction,
though I think it was complicated because they reacted from the standpoint of rough-hewn frontier people —
at which Daniel Craig excelled, IMHO. But Harrison Ford's performance as a former army Colonel
turned wealthy rancher left me wanting — as a function of his age (much like his character)
I fear.
Two weeks before I saw a tired though not yet frail Ford promote the movie on a late-hight
talk show. He said very little — he mostly reacted to prompts from the host. More than that, I found myself
absolutely transfixed on his hands. His fingers showed signs of arthritis. Han Solo will be 70
next year — and that's a fact which those of us who saw Star Wars at age eight
must reconcile. I'm forced to consider that Indiana Jones will soon ride off into retirement
and hang up his whip for good.
I don't know how well Cowboys & Aliens was received, partly because audiences aren't used
to Ford in a supporting role such as this — despite his top billing. It was perhaps because of
this Cowboys & Aliens left me somewhat wanting despite the action and entertainment.
UPDATE: Apparently the film wasn't well received — or
well reviewed.
|