*sort of the first part of a sort of three part review series*
And that's in order to not only understand my
love of these films but other people's as well. This is ultimately the Western that started it all (it wasn't the first,
oh no) with regards to the Spaghetti Western and Clint Eastwood and real Western badness. John Wayne is so suave and awesome,
and there were plenty of Westerns before this one (some of which weren't all that great; you know I'm not much of a fan of
'High Noon') but when it comes to true Western badassness, you can't put anything on Mr. Eastwood, and here is where he starts.
Here
is the first film in the 'Dollars' trilogy, and I must say, they get better (the third's the best). I have to be honest,
there's not much of a review I can do here, because what can I say that hasn't already been said? This is true Western bravado,
the real thing, the real beginning of the Western film. It might seem full of cliches and it might seem a bit predictable
in places but that's because so many other Westerns have copied and honored this one that many things seem done and seen before,
even though really they haven't been. But it doesn't feel stale or old; you can tell that Clint Eastwood is starting out,
it has a beginning feel to it. It's a true Western, predictable but at the same time throwing you twists that you don't expect,
it takes it's time and never rushes (the pacing is slow, but this is true of all Westerns). The good guys win, but at a price.
And those characters are something else. Flawed and dirty, but you can tell the good guy from the bad guy because the good
guy keeps his morals. He has motives. Here is the rise of the anti-hero. Here we are introduced to him. And he might seem
sketchy at first but ultimately he's good at heart.
Oh and did I mention those certain moments where the hero's
badassness is so totally flaunted? Mr. Eastwood has one of these moments in each of his Westerns (remember the bit in 'Unforgiven'
where he comes through the door and it's storming outside, and no one notices him until the lightning flashes and you seem
him standing in the corner with a huge rifle in his hands, come to bring justice?). There's a part here where I had to laugh;
Mr. Eastwood's 'Joe' (obviously not his real name) has just blown up the mine and he comes back to town to dispense of the
Rojos and everyone is looking towards the edge of town, and suddenly, out of the smoke and dust, he materializes (have you
seen the posters for 'Pirates 3'? Of course, silly question. You know the one where Jack is sort of materializing out of
the fog.....yeah? Sensing a pattern? Why couldn't they have added something like this during the parlay scene? Total Eastwood
awesomeness. The film already honors him; sorry, I digress, wrong film). That scene is perfect; you can't not love it.
Just
take my word and see this film; unless you really don't like Westerns you won't regret it. It's just too cool. Really, to
understand any Western, you need to see this trilogy first. Well, you don't really, but I'm sure you could appreciate them
more. And looking back to 'Pirates', imagine how many other films you could enjoy even more after seeing this film and those
that follow. These are really landmark movies; I wonder if Sergio Leone realized what he was doing at the time.
Best moment: The Man With No Name
blows up the mine and everyone knows he's coming so they look to the edge of town, and he slowly appears out of the smoke.
Worst
moment: There really isn't one.
Best quote: Pick one of Mr. Eastwood's one-liners. Anyone.
Why you should
see it: It's not required for viewing first if you want to see the entire 'triology', because it's not really a trilogy.
But if you like Westerns and Clint Eastwood......
Why you should choose something else: A good friend of mine put
it plainly to me once that not everyone likes Westerns....(actually he said that he didn't like them but it made me realize
that there are certain people who don't.....) it's a simple film, not too deep or philosophical, but some people might find
it boring for whatever reason (including the slow pacing typical of the Western).
