Howdy movie fans!
Seth Macfarlane continues to branch out farther from his Family Guy origins, and further into the realm of hollywood this week with "A Million Ways To Die in the West."
Like in his last movie, Ted, Macfarlane wrote, and directed... but he also stars this time, as "Albert" a sheep farmer who is open about his hatred for the wild west, and desire to live more than face anyone in a gun fight. After Albert's girlfriend dumps him for a mustached Neil Patrick Harris, he's ready to chuck it all in, until he meets a beautiful stranger with a dangerous past.
It all may sound serious, and like most great comedies, the plot plays like it could be serious, but it all just serves as set pieces to help set up the various jokes the cast keep shooting out. While it's chock full of good humor, the film is at its best when it pokes fun at some of the most common western sterotypes. From gunfights and bar brawls, to the even things like fashion, music, facial hair, and blatnent racism that was rampant in that time. Like all really good humor, there's a lot of truth in the jokes that send up the cliches we've all grown up with.
And, just for the record, the jokes are good. The timing, delivery, and the pace were dead on, providing the audience with enough shocks and sly nods to keep us laughing throughout. But I do have a beef... if you've seen most of the trailers, you have already seen many of the best jokes! I mean, you hane't seen ALL the jokes, but you've seen a lot of the really good ones. It's kind of a let down.
So, a lot of you may be thinking... this sounds a lot like "Blazing Saddles"... and you would be right. Its a subject that McFarlane seems to acknowledge and take advantage of early on. While Mel Brooks focused mainly on the stereotypes of the 60's westerns, "A Million Ways To Die in the West" keeps an eye on the brutal reality of the time period. I think they films are good companions to one another... and if you wait until after the credits, it appears Seth seems to agree.
This is a bit of a shortened review, so I can't get into all of the cast, but I just want to mention that they all do a good job at keeping the laughs count high, without, for the most part, making the film seem like a farce. And the humor, except for a few jokes, is focused on the western concept... so unlike Ted, you won't have to go back and watch Flash Gordon again just to understand half the jokes.
Parents, there are some really, REALLY violent scenes, and deaths in this movie... and the jokes are just as filthy. So, if you're taking your kid, you're one of those opened minded parents that other parents will judging look at. ANd they'll say things like, "This isn't exactly a KIDS movie," and "You're one of those Opened Minded parents,"
So, time for the round up pardners. In a summer full of action films, and destruction, it's nice to have a nice, light comedy to change things up. "A Million Ways To Die in the West" may not be a most deep, thought provoking comedy, but it is light years above most of the inane films we see out there... but, much like the pioneers, you'll need to have a thick hide to make it through unoffended.
That's it for this time, make sure you check out my review of "Maleficent" also posting today.
Happy trails, Movie Fans!
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