Jesse James and his gang have found themselves in a bit of a mess.
Upon returning home from the war, the James brothers and the Younger brothers, members of the much respected James-Younger Gang, find that a railroad company is looking to buy up their farms and plot the railway right through their backyards. Not if Superman, err, Jesse James has anything to say about it.
Jesse is portrayed by newcomer Colin Farrell. Haven't heard of him? Don't worry by this time next year you will know his name well. He is slated to star in four movies over the next 12 months.
Unfortunately, he is getting a slow start out of the gate with this latest Hollywood western, American Outlaws.
From the first line uttered in the movie, you can tell that this isn’t going to be Tombstone. You shouldn't anticipate great repeaters like "I'm your Huckleberry!"
Don't get me wrong, it is not an unbearable movie, but with all of the money that is floating around the movie studios these days you would think there could be some original plots and action in the new westerns.
The extremely young cast is given a boost by Scott Caan, who plays the eldest Younger brother. He is the only character to hold his own against the charismatic Farrell.
Here is the way the James-Younger Gang plans to stop the railroad from taking over their hometown of Liberty, Missouri.
They will rob the banks that are holding the railroad's money and spend it on saving the town.
Good idea right? Well, usually a good bank robbery makes for a good western, but the young cast is unable to sell the mean, outlaw, killer roles.
Farrell and Caan, a couple of baby faces, are too good- looking and not nearly rough enough around the edges to be bank robbers.
To make up for this the director decides to put more of a comedic spin on the robberies. By the second hold-up you have heard all of the jokes and you are ready for something bad to happen.
Jesse James, the real main character, never faces enough turmoil to make the viewer care what happens.
This lack of interest is covered up by the fact that James can't wait to get back to his lover, played by the beautiful Ali Larter.
Larter proves she is better suited for a city girl role than a gun-toting country girl. Her lines are a bit dull to begin with, but when combined with a ridiculous southern twang, she is more laughable than any of the real intended jokes.
Once again, there have not been a lot of positive things said in this review, but the movie is not bad — it just isn't as good as it could have been.
When you pay S7 to see a movie, you don't want to see it underachieve.
With a talent like Farrell and a bombshell like Larter, you should care more about their character's fate than you do.
Is that too much to ask?
Grade: C
PG-13, 95 minutes
