Rating: 
Summary: cort and herrod much more interesting
Review: Being a fan of the spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone and especially a fan of Leone's finest "Once Upon A Time In The West" starring Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, and Claudia Cardinale (rent it sometime!), I was really very amused at Sam Raimi's choices of camera shots...they were, of course, taken directly from late 60's film! But, hey, that's okay. The film felt like a tribute and therefore, made it enjoyable to me.My only real problem with the film is Sharon Stone. Don't get me wrong, I actually have a lot of respect for her and have enjoyed performances by her at other times, but she just didn't seem to have the right tone in this movie for me. I would have much preferred for Sam Raimi to make his tribute to the spaghetti western using the other two main characters -- Cort (the unbelievably talented, charismactic, brilliant Russell Crowe) and John Herrod (the also brilliant Gene Hackman). Cort was the most interesting character in the film and Russell really does make the perfect cowboy; Gene Hackman likes to chew up the scenery and a duel between these two is the film I'd like to see! This movie is not a waste of time; but I found myself wishing for what could have been...Do you think Cort would have beaten Herrod, even with his left hand?
Rating: 
Summary: Think you're 'quick' enough?
Review: In Gladiator, the first movie I saw with the powerful Russell Crowe, I was struck. With what exactly I don't know, I knew only that I had this uncontrollable inpulse to see every one of his movies. So, to be honest, because Russell was in it, I rented The Quick and the Dead. I sat through the first minutes, rather impatiently, wondering when the 'man of the hour' would make his entrance.(Little did I know 'his entrance' was going to be in chains rolling across a saloon floor.) I didn't expect it to be good; my hopes weren't high, so I didn't feel disappointed or let down as I watched it. Don't come in expecting a knock 'em out, amazing, thrilling, 10 star western because really, it isn't what you are going to get. Ellen(Sharon Stone) is a gunfighter who comes to the town of Redemption to compete in a quick-draw contest for money...so everyone is led to believe. What she really wants is to take on Herod(Gene Hackman), the merciless 'ruler' of Redemption, and kill him. Reason: he killed her father and ruined her young life. So, for a way to get close enough to him, she enters the competion along with a rather unwilling Cort(Russell Crowe), a gunslinger turned preacher.
The rest is well..the rest. The contest begins, people are eliminated-either by serious injuries or getting appendages blown off- and, as time goes on, we learn more about Ellen's tormented past and Cort's with Herod. Good performances are given by all. The plot can be confusing at times. Sharon Stone was good for her part, but sometimes seemed to give to much into her role. I have to give a great big applause to Russell. The Australian hunk brought a lot of emotion and action to the screen of his first American made movie. Gene Hackman was good as this hard, power-hungry ruler. And for the first time I actually liked Leonardo DiCaprio in his role as Herod's son, who only wants his father's respect. I wanted to give it five stars but it just didn't do a five-star all-in-all for me. It is an odd film yet I did enjoy it so I gave it four star rating(which, again I must confess, was mostly for Russell Crowe). A good film for those of you who like westerns such as this and for we Russell Crowe fans. So... If you think you're 'quick' enough, go rent this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic
Review: The Quick And The Dead is my favourite film of all time. It is a classic film, with an amazing narrative and an incredible cast. Sharon Stone is fantastic in it.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and action packed Western!!
Review: Gunfighters test their skills against each other in a contest where the winner is the one left alive. Herod ( Gene Hackman) is the most dangerous outlaw that ever lived. He used his gunfighting skills to seize control of the town Redemption, where the story takes place. He is putting on the competition to see if he still has what it takes. "The Lady" ( Sharon Stone) has come to Redemption to seek revenge on Herod for a past injustice. "The Kid" ( Leonardo DiCaprio) is fast on the trigger, and even faster with his mouth. He is also Herod's son. He wants to stop living in his father's shadow, and prove that he is a better gunfighter. Cort ( Russell Crowe) used to run with Herod, and is the most skilled gunfighter around. But now he is a preacher, and has sworn off all forms of violence. He is tracked down, and forced to compete by Herod himself. Herod has always wanted to see who was better - him or Cort. The camera work is outstanding in this film. Every element of each gunfight is captured effectively. The film can also be extremely funny at times, because all of the actors use modern slang, despite the story taking place in the 1800's. The setting to this film is outstanding. The town of Redemption is the typical Western town, with the saloons, gunfighters, etc. It is very authentic. All of the actors are outstanding in their roles. There is constant tension and emotion that all of them bring to the movie - Hackman wanting to see if he still has what it takes, Stone with her desire for revenge, Crowe with his unwillingness to kill, and DiCaprio wanting to prove that he is better than his dad. The film overall is outstanding, because you end up rooting for all of the characters, and want none of them to lose. This makes the film extremely suspenseful. Sam Raimi steps outside the horror genre, and into the wild west, with the highly entertaining and action packed "Quick and the Dead"! The film offers a well rounded cast, and an extertaining, fast paced, and authentic western story. If you love Westerns, or any of the actors involved, pick this one up!
Rating:
Summary: The Western as Modern Myth
Review: The Quick and the Dead has long been derided as a Sharon Stone star vehicle that flopped. However, there is much more to this film than meets the eye. Featuring an ensemble cast that includes, Stone, Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gary Sinise, Keith David, and Lance Henricksen, this film is a refreshing change from past takes on the western. Stone plays a quiet and beautiful gunslinger, come out of the dusty plains to the town of Redemption, seeking revenge for the murder of her sheriff father years ago by the town dictator John Herrod, a dark and malevolent old gunfighter intent on maintaining his stranglehold on the frightened populace by staging a quick draw contest, the better to publically eliminate any opposition to his rule, and to squash any hope of salvation. Drawn into this dark contest are Herrod's former partner turned preacher Cort, a man whose tortured soul still seeks it's own salvation, and who Herrod seeks to pull back to Hell. Herrord's son, The Kid, enrolls in the contest as a way to seek fame and glory, and to prove himself to a aloof and uncaring father. Thrown into the mix are a number of colorful characters come to town to seek their own fortunes and the fireworks ensue. There is strong symbolism throughout this film, shades of death and rebirth, powerful archetypal figures in the charaters of Herrod, the powerful demonic ruler of the underworld, and Cort, the misguided but eventual redeemer and saviour. This film boasts a strong and talented cast that give some wonderfully enjoyable performances. Sam Raimi does an incredible job once again of producing a stylishly directed tale of loss, redemtion, salvation, and revenge in this telling of the western as mdoern myth.
Rating:
Summary: Quirky and Inventive Western
Review: Director Sam Raimi's homage to Sergio Leone and the spaghetti western was scorned by critics and audiences when it first came out. This film definitely deserves another look, though, on video or DVD. In a delicious performance, Sharon Stone appears as a mysterious gunslinger with a troubled past (the Clint Eastwood role). Gene Hackman plays her villainous nemesis, and a pre-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio also appears. Stone hasn't done much worthwhile in several years now, which is too bad. When you see her play strong female parts like this one, you can see the promise she shows as an actress. The story in "The Quick and the Dead" is repetitive and the characters are mono-dimensional, but the direction is so stylish and quirky that it more than makes up for the bad writing. (You can't help but love flashy shots like viewing the action through a newly-shot hole in a gunfighter's hand.) This film will probably appeal most to film buffs and fans of the Western.
Rating:
Summary: Great cast and terrific apadtation from the original
Review: One of the most recognizable westerns is 'the quick and the dead', this is one of the best westerns i've seen, not that i like westerns but this one is different, with the greatest cast ever and that tournment that happened, like kid (DiCaprio) vs. Harrod (Hackman), then Cort (Crowe) vs. lady (Stone) AND FUNNY CHARECTERS LIKE Ace, with great plots, directing and script, this one outbeat the original, this is a must see for western drama action lovers. 10/10.
Rating:
Summary: cort and herrod much more interesting
Review: Being a fan of the spaghetti westerns of Sergio Leone and especially a fan of Leone's finest "Once Upon A Time In The West" starring Henry Fonda, Charles Bronson, Jason Robards, and Claudia Cardinale (rent it sometime!), I was really very amused at Sam Raimi's choices of camera shots...they were, of course, taken directly from late 60's film! But, hey, that's okay. The film felt like a tribute and therefore, made it enjoyable to me. My only real problem with the film is Sharon Stone. Don't get me wrong, I actually have a lot of respect for her and have enjoyed performances by her at other times, but she just didn't seem to have the right tone in this movie for me. I would have much preferred for Sam Raimi to make his tribute to the spaghetti western using the other two main characters -- Cort (the unbelievably talented, charismactic, brilliant Russell Crowe) and John Herrod (the also brilliant Gene Hackman). Cort was the most interesting character in the film and Russell really does make the perfect cowboy; Gene Hackman likes to chew up the scenery and a duel between these two is the film I'd like to see! This movie is not a waste of time; but I found myself wishing for what could have been...Do you think Cort would have beaten Herrod, even with his left hand?
Rating:
Summary: Please pass the popcorn
Review: Frankly, I have certain reservations about the postmodern (name your "pasta") western and yet I enjoyed this film which has an outstanding cast, featuring Sharon Stone (Ellen), Gene Hackman (Herod), Russell Crowe (Reverend Cort), and Leonardo DiCaprio (the Kid). The supporting cast includes Gary Sinise (Marshall) and Pat Hingle (Horace the bartender). Herod is the corrupt mayor of Redemption (I'm not making this up) who has organized a quick-draw competition for gunfighters. Ego and greed motivate most of the contestants. Ellen is motivated by revenge. Once an associate of Herod's, Cort is a pacifist and refuses to participate. (Of course, he's also renowned as the quickest draw.) Through a process of deadly elimination, two "finalists" will soon face each other in the streets, probably without hope of redemption, and then.... As directed by Sam Raimi, my only significant criticism of this film is that we learn almost nothing about the background of the major characters prior to their participation in the competition. (Perhaps I have been spoiled by Akira Kurosawa's The Seven Samurai, John Sturges' The Magnificent Seven, and more recently, Jeff Blitz's Spellbound.) The Kid is a case in point. Whose son is he? (Herod's?) Raimi raises even more questions about Cort. For example, is he really a clergyman or merely assuming the identity of one such as Robert Mitchum's character in The Night of the Hunter or Clint Eastwood's in Pale Rider? At this point, I ask "What difference does it make?" So I settle back with some refreshments and stop analyzing the film. (My wife would claim "over-analyzing" it.) It is what is so I enjoy it for that rather than rattle on about what it is not. Roll it!
Rating:
Summary: Linguine Western
Review: I will first agree with the negative aspects. This is not a western. As much as it looks like one, it really isn't. The dialogue could be easily placed in a new york gang atmosphere and flow fine. The way the characters act and their mannerisms doesn't fit the time period either. This I agree with. But lay off it a bit guys. I can understand if you're fully gung-ho on westerns, and if theres one film thats masked as a western but actually contains more satire, you blow your top and dub the film a fake and a horrible act of God. True, there is a style of the great Sergio Leone's "The Good The Bad, And The Ugly", but that wasn't a western either. Spaghetti westerns were films that took place in the wild wild west, but were actually filmed in Italy, where they really had no clue what the west was like. So most of those westerns had a "light-heartedness" to them. Sergio Leone was famous for making a western seem comical. And I believe, Mr. Raimi just took that idea and did it again. Only this time with his directing flair, which is so fun to watch, I wet myself everytime I watch it (lets flash to the fight scene between spiderman and green goblin, supposed to be serious, but actually very light-hearted). During a showdown, Raimi would do an excessive amount of fast zooms on everything! The two guys fighting, the people watching, an inanimate object. I was laughing so hard! And of course, who can forget when the bad guy finally gets what he deserves via Raimi's trademark. POV of bullet! BAM! right in the face, followed by an "Army of Darkness" flip for a finale. My point is, this film is not meant to be taken seriously. But the plot was horribly serious, and Gene Hackman plays an evil man very well, nothing like his cowardly Lex Luthor role (bad analogy, my friend). So the mixture of the serious plot with the directing didn't quite fit. But thanks to Raimi, this film is filled with whacky camera angles, and comic uber spaghetti western themes. Thicker than spaghetti, linguine. Enjoy it!
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