Shane

Rating:
Summary: Indeed a classic, but some major flaws are noticable.
Review: I agree that this is a classic, and that it inspired many other westerns that followed (drifter with a hidden past helps a town/settlers get rid of the bad guys), but there are certainly some flaws that can be a bit annoying...

(and these aren't nitpicks, btw...)

1. The music is overdone. It's present in the most simple scenes, such as the family and Shane eating dinner. And on important scenes, but LONG scenes, it just gets bigger and bigger, as if it came in the scene too quick.

2. The kid, "little Joey." Could this kid BE more annoying?

3. The editing, especially in the fight scene. The bar room brawl is a great classic western brawl, don't get me wrong. But the editor/director chose to put in way too many close ups at the wrong time. Again, this isn't a nitpick, but the fight scene is a really long one, so the bad editing is really noticable.

other than those 3 things. This really is a good flick, with decent acting all around. Especially from the bad guys (Ben Johnson, Edgar Buchanan, and although Jack Palance doesn't say much, it's fun to watch him as a ruthless killer).

if you're a fan of classic westerns, this is indeed a "must own".

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully shot and great soundtrack also!
Review: I can only echo all the praise from professional critics and plain folks alike for this movie. I would only add that it is beautiful to look at, especially on DVD, and the music is beautiful also, very memorable tunes.

The Wyoming countryside and mountains are spectacular and the film really captures a long-gone era in America when land was out there for the taking, after, that is, having been taken from the Indians. A person could stake a claim, stick to it and that was that!

I also loved the way the director takes his time in many scenes, for example when the villains are waiting in the bar for the final showdown, and when Shane is slowly riding toward them. Nice, easy pacing, not overwrought. The commentary track had some interesting revelations about Jean Arthur, the way the mountains were filmed, and the way the animals were trained for the film. All neat stuff attached to a masterful piece of entertainment that has heart and depth.

Rating:
Summary: "I JUST LOVE SHANE!"
Review: An absolute classic! What more can I say!
You have to look to the past to find some of the best movies ever made.