This has to be the second most disappointing movie this year after Sucker Punch for me. Much like Sucker Punch, it has some great concepts going around that would make the movie entertaining, but the execution just wasn't there. I mean how can you go wrong with a western/sci-fi mash up? Trigun and Firefly turned out great.
Cowboys & Aliens' tone was too serious with its tone and it tried to bit off more than it can chew. I think what hurt the movie the most was the script and not so much Jon Favreau. Still Favreau is somewhat to blame because he tried to make the movie more like some serious, epic adventure. If the tone was more along the lines of a cheesefest like Independence Day (which this movie feels like it tries to emulate at times) or something along the lines of Iron Man's flippant tones than it would have worked.
Instead we get characters that we just don't care about because of their poor development. This hurts the action scenes overall even if they can be entertaining. Ella's character felt more like a plot device than an actual character. Heck, character interactions just didn't really exist between some of them. For some reason, I felt like a lot of the riders ignored her and Emmet (kid). Jake never says anything to the kid. Heck, no one really gave the girl and the kid much attention aside from one sarcastic remark by the preacher. Ideally I would devote a hell of a lot more screen time towards Ford and Craig interacting with each other since they're the most interesting characters.
Finally we have the aliens. Their motivation for attacking is mentioned in one sentence and no further elaboration is put on. Heck, the characters even joke about the aliens' motivation. I don't mind their designs too much, but...why do the aliens feel the need to roar so much? For such an advanced species, it just seems primitive and savage-like.
SPOILERS
I still don't completely understand what type of alien Ella is. She can shapeshift and is resistant to fire?
What was up with the adopted Native American son of Woodrow suddenly sticking up for him? All of a sudden it seems like we're suppose to care and think that Ford's character is a good man through a quick monologue despite being quite the jerk throughout the whole film (I'm not sure what to think of his "be a man" speech to Emmett).
Craig's character felt like he should have gone through a big arc where he becomes a better man from his past deeds, but it never felt like it was realized. Sure he saved the town folks, but it felt like there was some internal conflict that was left untouched.
Was there really anything else to Sam Rockwell's character other than learning to shoot a rifle and to appreciate his wife?
Why do the aliens need the gold so much even though it's rare on their planet?
END SPOILERS
TLDR:
Watching Cowboys & Aliens for me was like hanging out with some role model who I looked up to as a kid, but only to find out he's different from how he portrays himself (in a bad way) in the public.
Watching Sucker Punch for me was like going on a date with this cute blonde I have a crush on for such a long time, but only to find out that she lacks gravitas and cries when she realizes that I'm disappointed.
5.5/10
Cowboys & Aliens' tone was too serious with its tone and it tried to bit off more than it can chew. I think what hurt the movie the most was the script and not so much Jon Favreau. Still Favreau is somewhat to blame because he tried to make the movie more like some serious, epic adventure. If the tone was more along the lines of a cheesefest like Independence Day (which this movie feels like it tries to emulate at times) or something along the lines of Iron Man's flippant tones than it would have worked.
Instead we get characters that we just don't care about because of their poor development. This hurts the action scenes overall even if they can be entertaining. Ella's character felt more like a plot device than an actual character. Heck, character interactions just didn't really exist between some of them. For some reason, I felt like a lot of the riders ignored her and Emmet (kid). Jake never says anything to the kid. Heck, no one really gave the girl and the kid much attention aside from one sarcastic remark by the preacher. Ideally I would devote a hell of a lot more screen time towards Ford and Craig interacting with each other since they're the most interesting characters.
Finally we have the aliens. Their motivation for attacking is mentioned in one sentence and no further elaboration is put on. Heck, the characters even joke about the aliens' motivation. I don't mind their designs too much, but...why do the aliens feel the need to roar so much? For such an advanced species, it just seems primitive and savage-like.
SPOILERS
I still don't completely understand what type of alien Ella is. She can shapeshift and is resistant to fire?
What was up with the adopted Native American son of Woodrow suddenly sticking up for him? All of a sudden it seems like we're suppose to care and think that Ford's character is a good man through a quick monologue despite being quite the jerk throughout the whole film (I'm not sure what to think of his "be a man" speech to Emmett).
Craig's character felt like he should have gone through a big arc where he becomes a better man from his past deeds, but it never felt like it was realized. Sure he saved the town folks, but it felt like there was some internal conflict that was left untouched.
Was there really anything else to Sam Rockwell's character other than learning to shoot a rifle and to appreciate his wife?
Why do the aliens need the gold so much even though it's rare on their planet?
END SPOILERS
TLDR:
Watching Cowboys & Aliens for me was like hanging out with some role model who I looked up to as a kid, but only to find out he's different from how he portrays himself (in a bad way) in the public.
Watching Sucker Punch for me was like going on a date with this cute blonde I have a crush on for such a long time, but only to find out that she lacks gravitas and cries when she realizes that I'm disappointed.
5.5/10
