A Million Ways to Die in the West never settles into an identity.- On the one hand, filmmaker Seth McFarlane’s comedy might have been a terrific spoof, one that pokes fun at the Wild West’s mystique and the tropes so often employed by the genre’s fiction.
- On the other, it might have been a compelling tale centered on two under-achievers unaware of their own worth.
- But, perhaps because it hopes to be both, it is good at neither.
- Despite a handful of laugh-out-loud funny moments (see Christopher Lloyd’s cameo), it is not silly enough to be an effective spoof.
- And courtesy of poorly developed characters, it doesn’t work dramatically, either. Clinch Leatherwood (Liam Neeson) has one trait. Ditto that for Foy (Neil Patrick Harris), Ruth (Sarah Silverman), Edward (Giovanni Ribisi) and Louise (Amanda Seyfried, wasted).
- Anna (Charlize Theron) and Albert (McFarlane) have, perhaps, two or three traits apiece, but still not enough to feel like vibrant people.
- Because all are thinly defined, we do not care about these characters, which means the drama falls flat.
- An odd, out of place and lengthy segue into a Native American tribe’s camp doesn’t help either. It is neither funny nor emotionally powerful; it is simply meandering.
- Which can be said about many scenes in this film.
- Final Grade: F+
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Sounds terrible.
Pretty much.
And you would hate it even more than me, I suspect. Though maybe that means I want you to see it; your rant would be entertaining.
Awesome! Maybe for the Fall shitfest 🙂
Sweet. 🙂
Worst movie I’ve seen all year. Only thing that prevented it from an F grade for me was its setting and feel. MacFarlane certainty captured the look and environment of the old west.
He did. Which is one reason I gave it the ceremonial +. 🙂
I have seen some worse movies (Love and Air Sex jumps to mind), but this one certainly isn’t good.
That title alone would be enough for an F –
You think so? The title is one of the few things I liked about it. 🙂
For me it’s trying too hard to get noticed, usually a very bad sign. ‘Slap her, she’s French’ is one of my favourite titles ha.
Well, then, consider me one of the people who noticed it. 🙂
The National’s latest one.
Good to see you back writing mate. Totally agree on this one. I had no fun at all with it and was surprised by how totally unfunny it was.
Thanks.
And, obviously, agreed. Not a good film.
I’d predicted that this would be one to watch back in January. I haven’t seen it yet, but my hopes have diminished quite a lot. Good work mate!
Adam.
Thanks. The trailer is pretty sensational.
Sadly, it includes almost every clever moment in the film.
What you just mentioned is one of the most disappointing facts about this film! The trailer spoils every single funny scene! All we are left with is a bunch of dragging drama! I really hope he steps his game up for Ted 2!
Let’s hope.
It really did sound dreadful. Well done on such a composed review. I’d be more annoyed at such a dreadful-sounding film.
I didn’t like it all, but I try my best to keep criticism respectful; whether or not I like something doesn’t change that someone worked hard on it, or that many others surely enjoy it more than me.
True. That’s why my first and final draft sometimes have a few differences haha.
🙂
I wonder whether a movie with “a handful of laugh-out-loud funny moments” actually deserves an F+. I laughed a lot and so did my theater audience so I don’t think I was alone but this is flopped so it clearly didn’t connect with most audiences.
It sure didn’t. I thought about whether or not a D-minus was more appropriate than the grade I finally gave it. A D-minus would have meant the humor almost sustained it and kept it watchable throughout, even if it didn’t make it good. I went with the F grade for a few reasons:
1. That interlude with the Native Americans brought a grinding halt to my enjoyment of this film.
2. Out of the twenty some people in my theater audience, I was the only person I heard audibly laugh. At any of the gags.
3. Even for me, the funny moments were so widely spaced that I wasn’t entertained for long stretches.
F! ouch! I keep hearing this one sucks. I think a lot of people liked Ted and despite being similar type of material, that one worked and this one was missing something. Did you like Ted or think it was ok?
I actually didn’t see Ted, so I don’t know. I’ve never liked Family Guy, though. On the other hand, I didn’t mind McFarlane as the Oscar host. Basically, it’s too early to tell whether or not I’m one of his fans.
Ok that would make sense. Yes check out Ted, although I think you may not totally like it.
I’ll give it a shot soon-ish. 🙂
Whyyyyy did you even watch this? 😛
That. Is a very good question.
Because it was playing a a time a I could attend a movie theater …
Gutted this flopped as I like MacFarlane.
Oh well!
Definitely flopped, on a number of levels. And for good reason. It’s not good.