Sometimes a film's star power can overshadow the quality of the piece, and I think this was one of my main concerns with The Kid.
Upon seeing the cover of the DVD and noticing Ethan Hawke and Chris Pratt, I immediately felt drawn in by their influence in the industry. I began to think perhaps this was a low budget forgotten epic that would gain notoriety as more people heard about it.
Unfortunately, The Kid feels like a minor story told within a larger story, but with rather timid and lackluster progression. It doesn't help that these ideas have been flying around not just in westerns, but in other films as well, which takes away any genuinely unique twists or impactful character development.
I absolutely adore Vincent D'Onofrio and what he has accomplished as an actor iin his career. However, the jury is still out as a successful movie director.
And I must admit, two of the most underrated actors of my time must be Ethan Hawke and Keanu Reeves. Both give such intensely powerful facial expressions and body movements that it is a real shame they are not recognized more. As an avid film collector, I have seen nearly all of their combined works.
Set in the American West in the late 1800s, the film follows the journey of a young boy named Rio (Jake Schur) who crosses paths with the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid (Dane DeHaan). Rio finds himself caught in a conflict between Billy and Sheriff Pat Garrett (Ethan Hawke), and must navigate the complexities of loyalty, justice, and survival in a lawless land.
Now, for all purposes and bias aside, Ethan Hawke was the standout. He portrayed the law-abiding sheriff with a hint of arrogance, but also fairness and with reason. He became the main personality recognized in those times that you followed and respected.
Jake Schur as Rio Cutler was kind of dull, not rugged, but more like a rich, well-dressed, fashionable well-off kid rather than a homeless killer on the run. I just didn't feel his passion or energy. Leila George as Sara Cutler had way less screen time but was more profound and stood out with her engaging performance.
Chris Pratt as Grant Cutler had a significantly minor role with his lack of screen time, but he made the most of it. It would have been good to develop some deeper flashbacks of his personal issues throughout childhood that would have helped us form more of a despised or compassionate connection.
Dane DeHaan was absolutely fantastic as Billy 'The Kid' Bonney, Bill was the most likable character apart from Ethan Hawke's Pat Garrett. I didn't know the demise of William Bonney, so it was sudden, more factual to history but also low-key and disappointing with the climax to snuff him out of the film.
Overall, there are positives and negatives, but an even balance for a lukewarm, enjoyable experience. The only major drawback is this isn't a film that you are likely to revisit, but at least it gives a fair and honest throwback to the truer, grittier culture of the wild west.
6/10.
Upon seeing the cover of the DVD and noticing Ethan Hawke and Chris Pratt, I immediately felt drawn in by their influence in the industry. I began to think perhaps this was a low budget forgotten epic that would gain notoriety as more people heard about it.
Unfortunately, The Kid feels like a minor story told within a larger story, but with rather timid and lackluster progression. It doesn't help that these ideas have been flying around not just in westerns, but in other films as well, which takes away any genuinely unique twists or impactful character development.
I absolutely adore Vincent D'Onofrio and what he has accomplished as an actor iin his career. However, the jury is still out as a successful movie director.
And I must admit, two of the most underrated actors of my time must be Ethan Hawke and Keanu Reeves. Both give such intensely powerful facial expressions and body movements that it is a real shame they are not recognized more. As an avid film collector, I have seen nearly all of their combined works.
Set in the American West in the late 1800s, the film follows the journey of a young boy named Rio (Jake Schur) who crosses paths with the notorious outlaw Billy the Kid (Dane DeHaan). Rio finds himself caught in a conflict between Billy and Sheriff Pat Garrett (Ethan Hawke), and must navigate the complexities of loyalty, justice, and survival in a lawless land.
Now, for all purposes and bias aside, Ethan Hawke was the standout. He portrayed the law-abiding sheriff with a hint of arrogance, but also fairness and with reason. He became the main personality recognized in those times that you followed and respected.
Jake Schur as Rio Cutler was kind of dull, not rugged, but more like a rich, well-dressed, fashionable well-off kid rather than a homeless killer on the run. I just didn't feel his passion or energy. Leila George as Sara Cutler had way less screen time but was more profound and stood out with her engaging performance.
Chris Pratt as Grant Cutler had a significantly minor role with his lack of screen time, but he made the most of it. It would have been good to develop some deeper flashbacks of his personal issues throughout childhood that would have helped us form more of a despised or compassionate connection.
Dane DeHaan was absolutely fantastic as Billy 'The Kid' Bonney, Bill was the most likable character apart from Ethan Hawke's Pat Garrett. I didn't know the demise of William Bonney, so it was sudden, more factual to history but also low-key and disappointing with the climax to snuff him out of the film.
Overall, there are positives and negatives, but an even balance for a lukewarm, enjoyable experience. The only major drawback is this isn't a film that you are likely to revisit, but at least it gives a fair and honest throwback to the truer, grittier culture of the wild west.
6/10.
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