TOMBSTONE (1993)

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"You gonna do somthing? or just stand there and bleed?"

Wow where do i begin? As a kid i remember my dad swearing by this movie as one of the best movies hes ever seen, while to young to take in the subject matter. i recently rented this classic out of nostalgia. I was pleasently suprised to witness one of the most enertaining westerns in recent history!

THE PLOT:

The movie starts out with a brief narritive of the real life legend of Wyatt Earp legendary lawman of the west and how now retired, moves to Tombstone Arizona with his bothers Virgil and Morgan to make there fortune by going into business together.after the narritive were introduced to the Cowboys. Now be advised these arent the happy go lucky cowboys of old tv shows and movies or those cute little characters on your pajamas as a kid. These Cowboys are vicious killers and Raiders As is first shown when they break up a wedding ceremony. by shooting all the guests killing the groom and savagley raping the new bride turned widow.After this disturbing display of violence were introduced to the inteligently sadistic Johnny Ringo(michael Bien) who shoots a priest in cold blood without even batting an eye.

After this massacre were introduced to the noble yet flawed Wyatt (Kurt Russel)as he meets his brothers in tombstone to begin there new lives together. Later Wyatt is joined by his old fiend the charasmatic yet sickly gambler/gunfighter Doc Holiday (perfectly played by Val kilmer)who joins them in there new business. Business begins to boom for the Earps but not long before the cowboys ride into town causing all kinds of trouble. As the cowboys refer to themselves as a kind of early mafia that is outside the law and takes care of one another. With no law aside from a feeble old sherrif and cowardly mayor. The Earps take it upon themselves to bring justice to the town by swearing in as the new law of Tombstone somthing that the Cowboys wont tolerate,Leading up to the famous Shoot out at the ok corral.

After the famus shootout the cowboys swear revenge for there fallen comrades and hit the Earps hard. Resulting in one of the brothers deaths and other moraly wounded. This sends Earp on his own blood stained trail of revenge against the cowboy gang. joined by his long time friend Holiday and a few others, Earp sets off to make a rekoning with coboys in an exciting action packed adventure.

THE ACTORS:

Again where do i begin? this movie is filled with talent of who's who. Billy Zane, Jason pressley, (of 90210 fame) Bill paxton,Thomas haden church and even a few special cameos by Billy bob thorton, and an even bigger suprise cameo by the late great Charleston Heston. Russel plays an excellent Wyatt playing the role of reluclent hero with toughness to spare and shows the man behind the legend. Michael Bien of Aliens and Terminator fame, whos most known for playing the action hero shows that hes just as good if not better playing a villian. As Ringo, Bien shows an educated yet sadistic man on the edge.often calling for mens souls and quoting latin with a delitful flare.

Of course all the Talent in this movie is note worthy but are all out shinned by the Awe inspiring performence of Val Kilmers Doc Holiday. Kilmer is a daisy. (those who have seen this gem know why i used those choice of words)Giving an oscar Worthy performence that is cool, charming, and touching that creates one of the best movie characters to date.One line actualy almost brought a tear to my eye. As Wyatt and his men rest while pursuing the cowboys Doc lays in the grass sick and dying one of his parners asks: "Doc what the hell you doing out here you should be in bed!" to which he replies "Wyatt Earp is my friend"

to which the man shrugs and returns to his business saying "hell, i have lots of friends." to which we get a close up shot of Doc utter under his breath the words "I dont..." that line alone should have won him an award.

Summary:

Watch this Movie. While in no way is this a documentry on pure facts as almost any history buff can tell you that the Shoot out at ok was more of a massacre than a shootout. And Wyatt was not quite the Legend as the facts about him have been streched over the years, but this is still one helleva movie, filled with Great performences by all the actors and roles no matter how big or small, Witty Dialouge with some great memorable lines,And one of the Best performances in my opinion by Val Kilmer as this was his high note.

A great flick that gets one of my highest recommendations. A must have not only for western fans, but movie fans in general.

A modern classic in every sence of the word. Nuff said.

Dedicared to my buddys: Movie buff, vamp, crypt,nerd and ol cbf (web head). my longest review thus far and hopefully a stepping stone to becoming as great reviewers as much great friends as you guys.