Young Guns (Special Edition) | Young Guns (Special Edition)

An Entertaining Movie In More Ways Than One: Truth, History, And Legend | Young Guns (Special Edition) | Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland

DVDs:


	• Young Guns (Special Edition) Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland Lions Gate, 2003 average customer review:based on 71 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Great Movie about Billy the Kid

Great action movie. Old western about some true characters that portrays an American outlaw. I purchased both Young Guns and Young Guns II for my dvd collection. I like the history, true story type of movies.

Young Guns (Special Edition)

The movie is a classic. I would recommend it to anyone who likes westerns. I also ordered Young Guns II. Shipping was free, but it took awhile to receive it.

An Entertaining Movie In More Ways Than One: Truth, History, And Legend

This review is for "Young Guns (Special Edition)" DVD
(Widescreen; "The Real Billy the Kid" Documentary; Trivia Track--"Gunning for the 'Fact';" and Audio Commentary with Lou Diamond Phillips, Dermot Mulroney and Casey Siemoszko)

I am unsure which was more entertaining: the movie "Young Guns;" the trivia track for the movie; or the so called documentary, "The Real Billy the Kid." This is because the one thing that can be said about the historical Billy the Kid is that the "facts" are essentially unverifiable; which has lead to a division of sorts between "historians" writing about Billy the Kid. In all of my own secondary research, I have concluded that Robert Utley's book, "Billy the Kid: A Short and Violent Life," is the most valid interpretation.

Given that "Young Guns" was intended to be a movie loaded with "stars and future stars," more than anything else, the movie clearly demonstrates what great actors can do if they are willing to go the distance ("Young Guns" was shot in only six weeks). Moreover, I--and I am going out on a limb here, as I have not researched this--am of the mind that the movie was also intended to tell the story of the "legend" of Billy the Kid as a metaphor for current popular culture; including the "non-traditional" soundtrack. (However, also see Sam Peckinpah's "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" for a "non-traditional soundtrack and more violent interpretation of Billy the Kid). Regardless, I cannot say enough about just how exciting and energetic "Young Guns" is to watch. The "young stars," even the small cameos, all add to the film.

As for the "documentary," I almost split a gut laughing. I am not sure if the "documentary" was intended to present the "truth" about Billy the Kid, but that was not the case, except perhaps from some radical perspective, although some "facts"--and again, all "facts" about Billy the Kid are subject to change--were informative.

The trivia track was a hoot. Again, I must believe that much of the "trivia" was done with tongue in cheek. Whatever the reason, the "trivia" sure made the movie, "Young Guns," all the more fun to watch.

In the final analysis, it is my true belief that "Young Guns" should be--if not already--considered a classical western.

Lastly, for those who want to "quickly" learn (instead of reading Robert Utley's book) about the questionable history of Billy the Kid, go to the Wikipedia site. Or one can watch "Gore Vidal's Billy the Kid" (1989--a year after "Young Guns"), starring Val Kilmer as Billy and Duncan Regehr as Pat Garrett. While this movie is currently available only in VHS format, it is also filmed like a more "traditional western;" but, in my opinion is the most "historically accurate" movie about Billy the Kid.

Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.

for more information click here

One of the few Westerns I love

Being a film buff all of my life, Westerns were the one film genre that I would prefer not to watch growing up. The only westerns I care for are Sileverado, Unforgiven, The Quick and The Dead & Posee. Young Guns is a mixture of semi pop culture from the late eighties and western action. The cast is good and the direction is sharp from Christopher Cain.

The year is 1878 Lincoln County. John Tunstall a British ranchowner hires six rebellious boys as "regulators" to protect his ranch against the ruthless Santa Fe Ring. When Tunstall is killed in an ambush the Regulators led by the wild-tempered Billy the Kid (Estevez) declare war on the Ring. As their vendetta turns into a bloody rampage they are branded outlaws becoming the objects of the largest manhunt in Western history.System Requirements:Starring: Emilio Estevez Kiefer Sutherland Lou Diamond Phillips Charlie Sheen Dermot Mulroney and Casey Siemaszko. Running Time: 102 Min. Color. This film is presented in "Widescreen" format. Copyright 2003 Artisan Entertainment.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: WESTERN/MISC. Rating: R UPC: 012236125945 Manufacturer No: 13850

for more information click here