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WILD,
WILD WEST
review by Joe Mauceri
The unique visionary behind the successful "Adam's Family" films and "Men in Black," takes on the big screen adaptation of the popular 1960's television series. Sonnenfeld puts effects before story and delivers simply a pleasant try instead of a summer spectacular. The film explores the origins of Captain James West and U.S. Marshal Artemus Gordon in post Civil War America. President Grant unties the unlikely duo to solve the mystery behind the abducted scientists. The gaggle of screen writers put a big screen Julies Verne spin on the story. Unfortunately, when there are more then two screenwriters on film it is not a good sign. The film takes too many historical liberties to even consider it being revisionist. The worst is the fact that it was Abraham Lincoln who signed the bill enacting the secret service, two days before they assassinated him. The major problem with the film is a real lack of a sense of peril. I never felt that any of the characters were in any life menacing situations. In one scene West/Smith is about to be lynched by a crowd of angry Southerners. However, he just stands there making jokes as they folks look on with this blank expression on their faces. As a result, the comedy is flawed. What should be hilarious is merely "ha." Kevin Kline is fine as Gordon. Branagh delivers a great performance as the mad scientist. Will Smith reaches his plateau in the opening scene. He never gets any better, or worst, which would be more entertaining. Further, he is in many situations that replay situations he has been in before without any new twists. The most shocking is the phoned-in performance by Salma Hayek. Beautiful and talented, she is flat. WILD, WILD WEST is an example of excessive production designing. The sets are amazing, and sometimes underutilized. For example, Dr. Loveless' lair in the desert is a dazzling design, but we only see the exterior and a single exterior shot. They have a few more rooms for other locations, but quick cuts attempt to hide the lack of scale in the sets. The big money stuff is the mechanical 40 foot spider. It's a masterpiece that has not punch. The director does not create the buildup. The plight with the current state of special effects is that they are so good they no longer want to hide them in the dark or in shadows. The cutting done on some of the teasers is better then in the actual film. Industrial Light and Magic do an exceptional job of with the stunning visual effects. In some respects it is superior to STAR WARS. The film has many awkward edits and big leaps in the time line. One minute Smith/West is lying on the prairie in full costume, and the next cut he is only in his hat, shirt and slacks looking like he has been through hell. It's not just one or two, but several. I really enjoyed the opening credit sequence, which was a 90's spin on the original series opening. I think the only other noteworthy element is the brilliant score by Elmer Bernstein. It works really hard to create atmosphere and tension. It has a classical western feel with some modern overtones. An exceptional score from an exceptional composer. Sonnenfeld's WILD, WILD WEST has all the right stuff to be a real summer blockbuster, but it just does not come together. The director spends more time with his effects and production designs, stealing the thunder from his cast. I think it's interesting that the stage actors out shine the screen actors. Still, there is no jeopardy or suspense, and everything seems like they are playing it for laughs. They do not meet high expectations. I'm sure a Saturday Morning animated series would deliver better story content then the film. I truly like things about this film, but it has too many flaws. A sure fire opening weekend will probably fade quickly as the weeks progress OFFICIAL WEB SITE: |
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