Films are made for us to escape to a new reality, whether that reality be complete fantasy, present day, the future, or in this case, the good old West. What we have here is a great western that looks and feels like a classic in the making, an old school western with an old school touch of directing (and acting) from Ed Harris. Appaloosa is very accessible in a film genre that isn't so accessible. It's a straightforward film that, despite that, never becomes predictable and formulaic. Harris's wonderful job on all fronts make Appaloosa one of the most complete films of the year. It's got it all, great writing, killer acting, and a great atmosphere that allows the viewer to get trapped in this old western world.

Set in 1882 New Mexico, Appaloosa follows the fate of the town of the same name, which has fallen into the control of a ruthless outlaw (Jeremy Irons),and the powers that be have hired new hands to take control of the situation (Harris and Viggo Mortensen). However, when a mysterious widow (Renee Zellweger) arrives in town, loyalties will be tested, friendships will be put on trial, and guns will be fired.

The strong point, as I've said, is Ed Harris, who pulls the quadruple threat of acting, directing, writing, and producing. Despite all the work he did on this film, he still manages to turn in an Oscar worthy performance as the steadfast and unwavering commander of the town. Harris is subtle, nuanced, and never out of control. He commands the screen every time he's on it, without yelling or doing anything too crazy. Viggo Mortensen's near silent performance is not short on talent either, as one of silent acting's kings continues to show incredible versatility (the guy is a fantasy king, Russian mobster, and now an old west Deputy Marshall). To complete the trifecta of greatness, Jeremy Irons is the only guy I can imagine in the role of the film's villain. His freezing stare, mixed with the icy cold voice he is most known for, makes him one of the most memorable villains of the year.

Renee Zellweger really didn't add anything to the movie, though her character wasn't too interesting, and just serves as a plot device. This is what keeps the film from getting that "10" from me. The rest of the supporting cast is really a non-issue, as the story really only revolves around a few characters.

What I enjoyed most about the film is that it really made me feel like I was out west...right down to the little details, such as sandstorms, the presence of Native Americans, small drawls from the actors (thankfully none besides Zellweger had a bad one),and the different kinds of horses & guns in the film. Harris keeps the film moving nicely, and there's only a few moments where I felt it dragged a bit. Like I've said, it's hard to find a real fault here...the film is just well done all around, from a production standpoint.

When all is said and done, I knew how I felt about this film the second the lights went on. I clapped and said, "that was great". Appaloosa is an old school western that has everything a fan of the genre could want...including a suspenseful and tense gunfight and crazy Native Americans on horses! It's definitely one of the most complete westerns and films I've seen this year, and should be in contention for a few awards come Oscar season.

While not my favourite genre, there is a lot of appreciation for the western genre, old and new (especially old),and there are a lot of classics. 'Appaloosa' looked great from the trailer, the concept for the story was interesting and from the few clips seen from it by chance. The positive reviews drew me in as did the immensely talented actors in the cast, especially like Viggo Mortensen and Jeremy Irons.

'Appaloosa' is not quite one of the classics of the western genre, but it is among the better examples of films seen recently that did not waste their vast potential (great news for me, having seen a lot of potential wastes recently and with increasing frustration). And for me one of the better-faring westerns in recent years, somewhat of a little gem when looking past the couple of flaws it has. It may sound like standard western territory from reading any plot summaries but it does do things differently in ways not predicted.

There is not much wrong with 'Appaloosa', but one, and the bigger one, of only two major debits is Renee Zellwegger. She was not the first choice for Allie and it shows, she's does not gel with the setting (very anachronistically modern) and is completely out of her depth in a very meaty role, more depth than the usual romantic love threat in westerns, that needed a stronger presence than the one Zellwegger gave.

Felt very little chemistry between her and Ed Harris, or at least not an easy-going or loving one. Actually wondered what people saw in her. Bragg's "pardon" seemed rushed too.

However, 'Appaloosa' is shot and edited with the right amount of old-fashioned elegance and grit. The production design is authentic to its period and is handsome while looking dangerous enough too. The low-key lighting is always striking. The music score matches the film's subtle tone expertly, not once being too loud, over-used or over-emphasising. Harris does a great job directing, the old-fashioned and nostalgic approach appreciated and working beautifully, and there is no signs here of biting off more than he can chew. Like others have said he shows a love for the western genre and understands it.

Script is both intelligent and down to earth, with the voice over not over-explaining. The story is deliberate and subtle, admittedly dragging at times, shining in the quirky and understated chemistry between Harris and Mortensen and the action that makes one nostalgic for the older westerns. The ending satisfies and doesn't feel too neat and tidy and while there are cliches certainly they don't feel like tired ones. The characters are interesting and much more than they seem with a surprising amount of complexity, that's including Bragg who's more than irredeemably evil.

Zellwegger aside, the acting is very good with both Harris and particularly Mortensen being charismatic and understated leads and Irons being a dastardly yet never cartoonish villain. Great too in seeing Lance Henriksen not being restricted to bizarre roles in low-budget output.

All in all, very well done. 8/10

British actor Jeremy Irons got to do a western for his list of credits with Appaloosa. Let no one think that this is a remake of the Marlon Brando western from the Sixties. Appaloosa is not a breed of horse, it's a town in New Mexico territory where lawmen Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen have been hired to prevent the depredations of villain Jeremy Irons.

Irons is a villain with some interesting connections. Right at the beginning of Appaloosa we're told that Irons came west from New York City where apparently he was part of Roscoe Conkling's political machine. He worked in the Customs House where the boss was the Collector for the Port Of New York one Chester Alan Arthur. Time and circumstance have sent Irons to New Mexico where he's bought himself a spread and hired a lot of guns who terrorize the town and surrounding area. Time and circumstance have also made Chester Alan Arthur President of the United States.

Despite some rivalry over Renee Zellweger, Harris and Mortensen are a pair of no nonsense lawmen who do their best to clean up Appaloosa. Irons also shows that those connections to the White House are quite real.

Arthur did not do a half bad job as president considering where he originated from. This film does cast him in a negative light because of an association with a skunk like Irons.

Appaloosa is a good western with a good ensemble cast using a bit of historical trivia as part of the plot.