Wild Wild West

Original Review of the Theatrical Release

Fans of the original TV series may or may not like this theatrical remake. I never saw any of the old series so I really wouldn’t know. Sorry. What I can say, however, is that the movie, while lacking in the “plot” and “dialogue” departments, is effective as an action and special fx spectacle.

Will Smith, as we all know, has the role of James T. West, a 19th century James Bond. Kevin Kline is partnered with him as Artemus Gordon, a brainy and somewhat pacifistic U.S. Marshal. I’ve always liked both Kline and Smith and as much as it pains me to say so, one of these two should not have been cast here. Kline cannot match up with Smith’s brand of sarcasm and smart-assed remarks. Likewise, Smith just can’t keep up with Kline when he’s got one of those witty-but-silly roles that he likes to sink his teeth into. Hearkening back to MIB, I think Tommy Lee Jones would have been better suited to the Artemus Gordon character.

Kenneth Branagh, however, is marvelous as Dr. Arliss Loveless, a gifted-but-insane scientist who, with the aid of foreign dignitaries, intends to take over the United States and dissolve the national government. He holds a grudge, you see, because of “wounds” he suffered at the hands of the Yankees while he was fighting for the South during the civil war. He is, quite literally, only half the man he used to be!

Salma Hayek is in the movie, too. She’s a babe. She’s got a great butt. Her sole reason for being in the movie, I think, was to provide T&A opportunities. I don’t mind. Next topic!

The action is well paced and plentiful, slowing down only in a couple of places to deal with those pesky things like “plot” and such. The special effects were quite well done and the imagination that went into dreaming up all the gadgets for this movie is nothing short of spectacular. A couple of times during the movie, I found myself thinking, “Boy! I sure wish I had one of those!”

As for the soundtrack, don’t bother looking for it in the stores. Will Smith’s remake of Kool Moe Dee’s “Wild Wild West” is the only thing that would keep me from rating the soundtrack as “sub-par”.

If you’re looking for a movie to see this summer, Wild Wild West would be worth a serious look. Especially if you’re an action buff and are easily dazzled by special effects. Yes, there are better movies out there to see, but you could do a lot worse, too!

Seen it? How many stars do you give it?

(2 votes, average: 2.5 out of 5)

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