The basic story is excellent, as are opportunities for an examination of power and leadership, grass roots movements, justice and the law, and most of all the creation of a myth. But the filmmakers only nod at these ideas and stick to their off-handed, modern-style approach, which is effective in small doses but never lets the story come to life in a meaningful or engaging way. Ferrell is superb at the centre, as are the rest of the likeable actors, even though their characters are only superficially defined. Dalton is fine as a slightly more complex than usual villain; but Bates is wasted as Ma James in a few cringe-worthy scenes. The production itself is surprisingly slipshod, with dodgy continuity, cheap-looking sets and a few terrible directoral decisions (massive explosions, an open-mouthed first kiss between Jesse and his girl, played by Larter in tough-as-nails cowgirl style). And there are so many cliches ricocheting around each scene that they nearly take an eye out. Ouch.

themes, violence, language

5.Dec.01