Rating: 
Summary: Great Mystery for mystery lovers
Review: The Director has given us a wonderful version of the Tony Hilerman novel. It is a wonderfully refreshing view of both the modern and traditional Indian way of life. How both of the main characters interprete the clues to this mystery keeps you wondering "who done it" along with them. It was an extremely enjoyable watching experience.
Rating: 
Summary: The mystery and the politically correct stories are boring
Review: This 2002 made-for-TV film is adapted from one of Tony Hillerman's books. His name does not appear in the writing credits though. The writing is credited to James Redford, son of Robert Redford, the Executive Producer.The story is basically a crime mystery and includes a lot of Native American folklore. It's set in the present, on a reservation. Some medicine men have been brutally murdered, and two cops are looking for the killer. Adam Beach is cast as the cop who is studying to be a medicine man himself; Wes Studi is also a Native American but he considers himself much more practical and modern in his approach. The plot is confusing as it twists and turns and I found it almost impossible to follow. There's a paint factory that polluted the land and people getting sick. There are medicine men who chose modern medicine over traditional ways. There's the wife of one of the cops who has come back to the reservation to die. And there's a romance between Adam Beach and an attractive young female Native American lawyer who learns to appreciate traditional ways. Neither the mystery nor the human stories are presented very well and I found myself bored throughout.
Rating:
Summary: The mystery and the politically correct stories are boring
Review: This 2002 made-for-TV film is adapted from one of Tony Hillerman's books. His name does not appear in the writing credits though. The writing is credited to James Redford, son of Robert Redford, the Executive Producer. The story is basically a crime mystery and includes a lot of Native American folklore. It's set in the present, on a reservation. Some medicine men have been brutally murdered, and two cops are looking for the killer. Adam Beach is cast as the cop who is studying to be a medicine man himself; Wes Studi is also a Native American but he considers himself much more practical and modern in his approach. The plot is confusing as it twists and turns and I found it almost impossible to follow. There's a paint factory that polluted the land and people getting sick. There are medicine men who chose modern medicine over traditional ways. There's the wife of one of the cops who has come back to the reservation to die. And there's a romance between Adam Beach and an attractive young female Native American lawyer who learns to appreciate traditional ways. Neither the mystery nor the human stories are presented very well and I found myself bored throughout.
Rating: 
Summary: If you have read skinwalkers, don't watch it!!
Review: This movie barely has any parts that are similar to the actual Tony Hillerman Skinwalkers novel! Some important characters are taken out of the book, while new characters were also added! The Murderer isn't even the right murderer! Leaphorn's personality is all wrong and Chee gets to angry! This is only a good movie if you ignore all the differences between it and the book. If you haven't read the book, it will be a good movie. But, the book is much better!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Leaphorn/Chee Story but not Skinwalkers
Review: This movie captures some of the Leaphorn and Chee feelings from Hillerman's excellent books, but the plot is not the one in the Skinwalkers book. The plot is not bad, it just doesn't happen to be the same. There are elements which are similar, such as the attack on Chee and the witchcraft element, but many other items in the movie have nothing to do with the book storyline. Elements from other Hillerman books have been added to this movie. For example, Emma has a recurrance of cancer in the movie, while in the book Leaphorn is concerned about Alzheimers. The juvenile delinquents in the movie are nothing from the book, the motive to the shooting at Chee is totally different, and the motive for the killings is totally diffent. it's not a bad plot, it's just a completely different story from the book by the same name. Perhaps for me the most disappointing is it appears the movie was not made on the reservation, so location shots are wrong. There is some, but many other locations appear to be desert locations in Arizona which have very different vegetation and topography than the Shiprock - Farmington - Chinle - Window Rock area where this is supposed to be. One scene even had saguaro catus - impossible! I'll have to watch it a few more times to really place the movie locations. The acting is good, but I thought they gave Leaphorn a different personality from the book. Adam Beach is good, as is Janet Peete. I am not disappointed I bought the video, but it was not all of what I was hoping for.
Rating:
Summary: Leaphorn/Chee Story but not Skinwalkers
Review: This movie captures some of the Leaphorn and Chee feelings from Hillerman's excellent books, but the plot is not the one in the Skinwalkers book. The plot is not bad, it just doesn't happen to be the same. There are elements which are similar, such as the attack on Chee and the witchcraft element, but many other items in the movie have nothing to do with the book storyline. Elements from other Hillerman books have been added to this movie. For example, Emma has a recurrance of cancer in the movie, while in the book Leaphorn is concerned about Alzheimers. The juvenile delinquents in the movie are nothing from the book, the motive to the shooting at Chee is totally different, and the motive for the killings is totally diffent. it's not a bad plot, it's just a completely different story from the book by the same name. Perhaps for me the most disappointing is it appears the movie was not made on the reservation, so location shots are wrong. There is some, but many other locations appear to be desert locations in Arizona which have very different vegetation and topography than the Shiprock - Farmington - Chinle - Window Rock area where this is supposed to be. One scene even had saguaro catus - impossible! I'll have to watch it a few more times to really place the movie locations. The acting is good, but I thought they gave Leaphorn a different personality from the book. Adam Beach is good, as is Janet Peete. I am not disappointed I bought the video, but it was not all of what I was hoping for.
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding start for filming Hillerman
Review: Tony Hillerman is an icon for many mystery readers and most of us already had Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee firmly fixed in our mind. I, for one, found that the portrayals in this semi-faithful filming of "Skinwalkers" were not at all in conflict with my imagination. I thought that this tale was beautifully told and I understand why it had to diverge from the book in several instances. The performances were so direct and sure. Very good start and I look forward to more.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't, period.
Review: Wanna be disappointed? Buy this DVD. If you liked Chee and Leaphorn - the book characters are here in name only. Flat out WRONG.
Rating:
Summary: Skinwalkers review
Review: Well, I'm an avid fan of Hillerman books and have read every one, so I love his stories and his style. I've stood in line to have his new relases autographed, and glad I did because arthritis prevents book signings any more. I live in New Mexico and love the land, so I appreciate Tony's sensitive and appreciative renderings of the desert Southwest. It's a treat to see this beautiful land shown on the "big screen", along with glimpses of local lore like the dirt roads all over the Rez and elsewhere. I agree that the movie doesn't bear a strong resemblance to the book, but I am thankful that it's been made into a movie, if for no other reason than to give broader exposure to our unique culture and peoples. Wes Studi does a good job of depicting Lt. Leaphorn, although his character has suffered the most at the hand of the screenwriter. The Lt. Leaphorn I know isn't so clueless about Navajo culture. Adam Beach does a really good job with his character, Jim Chee. All in all, I enjoyed the movie. Without PBS and Redford, we'd all miss out on the great Tony Hillerman stories. So, I say: Keep 'em coming!
Rating:
Summary: Once again the book is better than the movie
Review: Wes Studi and Adam Beach are excellent Native American actors but fans of Tony Hillerman and the Chee/Leaphorn mysteries will be disappointed. The book is much more entertaining. I read recently that " Thief of Time " which in my opinion is one of the best of the series is next for PBS. Here's hoping that they'll do a better job than Skinwalkers and stick closer to Hillerman's novel.
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