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Larry McMurtry's Streets of Laredo

Larry McMurtry's Streets of Laredo

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The Author's Finale
Review: Not only is Larry McMurtry an excellent storyteller, but he's also somewhat of a literary genius. He could've written a sequel to Lonesome Dove that would've been satisfying and cliché, but he left that to Hollywood. I don't know if Streets of Laredo happened because of or in spite of the farce that is called, Return to Lonesome Dove, but Streets is definitely the better offering. McMurtry took the story in a completely different direction. In doing so, he cheated us out of certain things that we'd hoped for after finishing Lonesome Dove. There is no final conversation between Woodrow and Newt about Newt's heritage. The fate of July Johnson is a tragic and useless one. The Hatcreek Ranch in Montana goes bust and that's why Call becomes a bounty hunter. Those who enjoyed the book won't be disappointed in the film adaptation. Many have stated that James Garner's interpretation of Woodrow Call doesn't live up to that of Tommy Lee Jones and I cannot disagree. But Garner is a talented actor and he stayed true to McMurtry's character of Call. McMurtry wisely chose not to do "just another Lonesome Dove." Again, he left that to the shallower Hollywood crowd. While Lonesome Dove was a sweeping epic of a cattle drive, Streets of Laredo was simply the story of a chase to track down a young, brutal killer. McMurtry is a master of authentic dialogue and character development and he doesn't fail to deliver with his vast cast. Judge Roy Bean, Brookshire, John Wesley Harden, Billy Williams, Mox Mox and Famous Shoes all add to the texture of the movie. The most tragic figure is the long-suffering mother of Joey Garza, Maria, who defends her son in spite of his misdeeds. There are some details that are hard to swallow, such as the marriage of Lorena and Pea Eye, but the overall story still stands. This is certainly a darker offering than its predecessor considering that Gus supplied most of the mirth in Lonesome Dove. Still, it's worth watching for those who appreciate McMurtry's ability to tell a good story. The DVD is desolate when it comes to bonus material, but the sound and picture quality are far superior to the VHS version. It's also worth noting that the DVd version is uncut, offering scenes that do not appear in the VHS. No, Streets of Laredo does not live up to Lonesome Dove, but I don't think McMurtry meant for it to do so and the story stands on its own as a good one.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The Author's Finale
Review: Not only is Larry McMurtry an excellent storyteller, but he's also somewhat of a literary genius. He could've written a sequel to Lonesome Dove that would've been satisfying and cliché, but he left that to Hollywood. I don't know if Streets of Laredo happened because of or in spite of the farce that is called, Return to Lonesome Dove, but Streets is definitely the better offering. McMurtry took the story in a completely different direction. In doing so, he cheated us out of certain things that we'd hoped for after finishing Lonesome Dove. There is no final conversation between Woodrow and Newt about Newt's heritage. The fate of July Johnson is a tragic and useless one. The Hatcreek Ranch in Montana goes bust and that's why Call becomes a bounty hunter. Those who enjoyed the book won't be disappointed in the film adaptation. Many have stated that James Garner's interpretation of Woodrow Call doesn't live up to that of Tommy Lee Jones and I cannot disagree. But Garner is a talented actor and he stayed true to McMurtry's character of Call. McMurtry wisely chose not to do "just another Lonesome Dove." Again, he left that to the shallower Hollywood crowd. While Lonesome Dove was a sweeping epic of a cattle drive, Streets of Laredo was simply the story of a chase to track down a young, brutal killer. McMurtry is a master of authentic dialogue and character development and he doesn't fail to deliver with his vast cast. Judge Roy Bean, Brookshire, John Wesley Harden, Billy Williams, Mox Mox and Famous Shoes all add to the texture of the movie. The most tragic figure is the long-suffering mother of Joey Garza, Maria, who defends her son in spite of his misdeeds. There are some details that are hard to swallow, such as the marriage of Lorena and Pea Eye, but the overall story still stands. This is certainly a darker offering than its predecessor considering that Gus supplied most of the mirth in Lonesome Dove. Still, it's worth watching for those who appreciate McMurtry's ability to tell a good story. The DVD is desolate when it comes to bonus material, but the sound and picture quality are far superior to the VHS version. It's also worth noting that the DVd version is uncut, offering scenes that do not appear in the VHS. No, Streets of Laredo does not live up to Lonesome Dove, but I don't think McMurtry meant for it to do so and the story stands on its own as a good one.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The best of the sequels and prequels.
Review: Of all the sequels and prequels to "Lonesome Dove," "Streets of Laredo" is the best. Unfortunately, it falls far short of the greatness that was "Lonesome Dove." Lighting rarely strikes twice, and no filmmaker, or even McMurtry's work as a novelist, has been able to recapture the magic of the originals, the novel and the mini-series.

The strength of "Streets of Laredo" is the straight foward story of a killer and train robber, Joey Garza,and the bounty hunter sent to hunt him down, Captain Woodrow Call. Pretty standard western fare; but fairly well-done. It's not the epic "Lonesome Dove" was or what "Return to Lonesome Dove" and "Dead Man's Walk" tried to be; and that helps ease the comparisons with the original. I also believe that James Garner did a very good job as Captain Call. He had the almost impossible job of trying to take on a role that Tommy Lee Jones made his own in the original which was something Jon Voight had already failed miserably at trying. Garner, though, comes very close to challenging Tommy Lee for the honor of the "definitive" Call. He is very good.

Sam Sheppard is ok as Pea-Eye.(In the books Pea-Eye is younger than Call- the original film had the older Tim Scott in the role.) Sissy Spacek is not my idea of Lorena.(Would you travel from counties away to visit Sissy? Diane Lane- yes. Sissy- no.) Ned Beatty and Randy Quaid add some nice color as Judge Roy Bean and John Wesely Hardin respectively. Joey Garza is no Blue Duck; but still a pretty ruthless villain and formidable opponent. The Mox-Mox storyline,though, seemed slapped together and contrived.

As a stand-alone western "Streets of Laredo" is decent. As a sequel to "Lonesome Dove" it falls far short of the formidable bar that film raised. It is, however, the best of the attempts to recapture the magic of the original.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The best of the sequels and prequels.
Review: Of all the sequels and prequels to "Lonesome Dove," "Streets of Laredo" is the best. Unfortunately, it falls far short of the greatness that was "Lonesome Dove." Lighting rarely strikes twice, and no filmmaker, or even McMurtry's work as a novelist, has been able to recapture the magic of the originals, the novel and the mini-series.

The strength of "Streets of Laredo" is the straight foward story of a killer and train robber, Joey Garza,and the bounty hunter sent to hunt him down, Captain Woodrow Call. Pretty standard western fare; but fairly well-done. It's not the epic "Lonesome Dove" was or what "Return to Lonesome Dove" and "Dead Man's Walk" tried to be; and that helps ease the comparisons with the original. I also believe that James Garner did a very good job as Captain Call. He had the almost impossible job of trying to take on a role that Tommy Lee Jones made his own in the original which was something Jon Voight had already failed miserably at trying. Garner, though, comes very close to challenging Tommy Lee for the honor of the "definitive" Call. He is very good.

Sam Sheppard is ok as Pea-Eye.(In the books Pea-Eye is younger than Call- the original film had the older Tim Scott in the role.) Sissy Spacek is not my idea of Lorena.(Would you travel from counties away to visit Sissy? Diane Lane- yes. Sissy- no.) Ned Beatty and Randy Quaid add some nice color as Judge Roy Bean and John Wesely Hardin respectively. Joey Garza is no Blue Duck; but still a pretty ruthless villain and formidable opponent. The Mox-Mox storyline,though, seemed slapped together and contrived.

As a stand-alone western "Streets of Laredo" is decent. As a sequel to "Lonesome Dove" it falls far short of the formidable bar that film raised. It is, however, the best of the attempts to recapture the magic of the original.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Okay okay,
Review: Okay my last review, which is pretty stupid ...so here is my idea ...Street's of Laredo was a good movie indeed. I have seen the Lonesome dove movies and did like them, but this really didn't tie in with lonesome dove as it was supposed to do. Well yes some of the characters like Cal, but still not really. It is actually it's own movie all on its own. The acting was great ....the story line was twisting and heart pounding. If you don't like the violence like the shooting, well then don't watch a western, in this movie you definitely get that blood and gore bit. I found myself enthralled with the movie, and I loved every minute of it. Now Me in Canada am trying to find the movie, (With out buying online that's my last resort) and have found it once, but stupidly passed it up thinking I'd get it next time...No...well it is a hard movie to come by and if you do get it watch it and let's hope you like it. I recommend this movie to anyone!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: a dang good oater
Review: Some Lonesome Dove fans can be a pretentious lot and just don't have much of the charm of a character like Gus McRae so instead of enyoin things they rip em to shreds and moan and complain in the name of literary purity. Thus we get these type of folks complainin about Return to Lonesome Dove and complainin about the prequel and complainin about the sequel....
The truth is: what we got here is a dang good oater. I don't demand perfection in order to have a good time and the other Lonesome Dove movies and series are all fine Westerns that I have a great deal of affection for. Most folks who like a good Western will enjoy em too.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WORTHY SEQUEL TO LONESOME DOVE
Review: STREETS OF LAREDO has taken considerable heat for missing Tommy Lee Jones as Woodrow F. Call. Yes, the film would have benefited from a reprise by Mr. Jones in the role that he created but don't write it off because of that. There are aspects of this adaptation that are actually stronger than LONESOME DOVE.

After reading the book and watching STREETS OF LAREDO numerous times, I have to admit that, in his own right, James Garner does well as Captain Call, bringing his own enterpretation to the part and departing from most of the mannerisms that Jones brought to LONESOME DOVE.

Sam Shepard as Pea Eye Parker is a considerable improvement over Tim Scott, the original Pea Eye. I like Shepard's honest performance as a simple man rather than Scott's as a moron. Shepard's Pea Eye, while simple and slow is nonetheless tough and steady.

Sissy Spacek is terrific as Lorena (Wood) Parker. In fact I find that she fits the role far better than Diane Lane, the original Lorena from LONESOME DOVE and provides a tough and gritty performance as Mrs. Parker here.

Ned Beatty stars portrays the crochety, self-appointed Judge Roy Bean and Randy Quaid is darkly hilarious as the western outlaw John Wesley Hardin.

Other stars include Wes Studi as tracker Famous Shoes, George Carlin as Billy Williams and Sonja Braga as Maria Garza, a good woman trying to keep her world from coming apart while hoping to love her son-gone-bad back into the fold.

STREETS OF LAREDO is a great film. Don't miss it just because it lacks Tommy Lee Jones.

THE HORSEMAN

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: WORTHY SEQUEL TO LONESOME DOVE
Review: STREETS OF LAREDO has taken considerable heat for missing Tommy Lee Jones as Woodrow F. Call. Yes, the film would have benefited from a reprise by Mr. Jones in the role that he created but don't write it off because of that. There are aspects of this adaptation that are actually stronger than LONESOME DOVE.

After reading the book and watching STREETS OF LAREDO numerous times, I have to admit that, in his own right, James Garner does well as Captain Call, bringing his own enterpretation to the part and departing from most of the mannerisms that Jones brought to LONESOME DOVE.

Sam Shepard as Pea Eye Parker is a considerable improvement over Tim Scott, the original Pea Eye. I like Shepard's honest performance as a simple man rather than Scott's as a moron. Shepard's Pea Eye, while simple and slow is nonetheless tough and steady.

Sissy Spacek is terrific as Lorena (Wood) Parker. In fact I find that she fits the role far better than Diane Lane, the original Lorena from LONESOME DOVE and provides a tough and gritty performance as Mrs. Parker here.

Ned Beatty stars portrays the crochety, self-appointed Judge Roy Bean and Randy Quaid is darkly hilarious as the western outlaw John Wesley Hardin.

Other stars include Wes Studi as tracker Famous Shoes, George Carlin as Billy Williams and Sonja Braga as Maria Garza, a good woman trying to keep her world from coming apart while hoping to love her son-gone-bad back into the fold.

STREETS OF LAREDO is a great film. Don't miss it just because it lacks Tommy Lee Jones.

THE HORSEMAN

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: excellent with fine cast
Review: Streets of Laredo is a gem with a suprisingly good cast. I was skeptical about George Carlin but he shines and Randy Quaid is PERFECT as John Wesley Hardin. I've wanted to see a film version that got Hardin right (Rock Hudson's version was a total white wash)and was surprised to see Hardin in this and pleased to see him portrayed correctly. Take a look at this one Western buffs.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: This was the most dissappionting movie i've ever seen.
Review: Streets of Loredo is terrible! I have never been so dissappionted in a movie in all my life. James Garner does not give Woodrow Calls character justice,neither does Sissy Spacek as Lorena. In my opinion they trashed a great novel by McMurtry.


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