Young Guns [Blu-ray]

     Part of what was touted as a late-1980s revival of Westerns (and you can see how long that lasted), this good-looking, empty-brained film was like a spurs-and-chaps version of a Joel Schumacher movie, filled with pretty faces, prettier imagery, and absolutely no new ideas. The idiotically grinning Emilio Estevez is cast as Billy the Kid, who slowly accumulates a gang of Brat Pack buddies (Lou Diamond Phillips, Kiefer Sutherland, Dermot Mulroney) and fashions them into a group of male models with six-guns. The action is confused and the script is trite, though Terence Stamp is intriguing as the old reprobate who helps the gang get its act together. Followed by an even worse sequel. --Marshall Fine      Propelled by a rock 'n' roll soundtrack and populated by a handful of hot young Hollywood actors "Young Guns" is a Western for the MTV generation. Set in 1870s New Mexico it follows the career of six juvenile delinquents hired to defend the ranch of a British cattle baron. When the rancher is killed by town officials the boys rebel against the powers-that-be by transforming themselves into a band of outlaws led by none other than Billy the Kid.

Comment:
    One of the great old west movies. Love history about the old west or Billy the kid this movie says it all...great quality 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.