Appaloosa A Mostly Standard Spaghetti Western
By Yahoo! Shopping User Feb 27, 2009
Pros: The dvd is economically friendly to consumers, unlike so many other movies released to multiple formats on dvd. This one has a single format, and lets consumers choose on that one format if they want widescreen or fullscreen format. And the bonus features presented are all that are included. That prevents consumers from having to choose formats even more.
Cons: Some of the deleted scenes should have been left in the movie. Maybe that would have helped some audiences enjoy the movie more, since it pretty much followed the book.
Robert B. Parker is known in literary circles more for his crime novels than for westerns. So it goes without saying that when he wrote his first western, "Gunman's Rhapsody", he broke new ground for himself. That novel did not receive ...mch acclaim. However, when he published "Appaloosa" four years after that first jaunt into the "western world", fans and critics alike gave resounding applause. And then, in 2008, that outstanding book was adapted for the big screen. Now, that movie has finally hit DVD. Ironically, the movie was released to only moderate success both in theaters and on DVD. It's anyone's guess why the movie didn't make blockbuster status in theaters or on dvd. But true fans of the western genre will still find this story enjoyable. "Appaloosa" is very much the spaghetti western style; both in the book and in the movie. The music at the opening of the movie helps set up that feeling. Ed Harris (who directed and starred in the movie) is to applauded as he made every effort to maintain the original story written by Parker. Harris even admits in the commentary during the movie that there were a couple of points that things had to be left out and added here and there. But those points were very few and far between. On that note, it is interesting that Parker himself was not interviewed for the special features of the movie, especially since it was adapted directly from his book. One can only wonder if Parker fully approved of the changes, or the choices for the roles, or even the format of the DVD. Parker probably approved at least of the choices for those who filled the roles of Everett and Virgil. Those who have read Parker's book will notice two gentlemen on the cover of the book that look just like Virgil and Everett in the movie. They are on the far left hand of the cover. Harris and Mortensen are Cole and Hitch both in look and personality. And Renee Zelwegger was spot on as Allie. Any number of terms could be used for Allie's character. And Zelwegger clicked right onto that personality. In terms of the changes made, some of the deleted scenes should have been left in the movie, as they came right from the book, too. But as Harris said in the commentary of the deleted scenes, if they had been left in, the movie would have been roughly 45 minutes longer than its run time of 115 minutes. That would have put the movie at roughly 2 and a half hours, which wouldn't have been too bad considering the imprtance of certain deleted scenes. The run time is just one more positive factor to the movie. It moves about as fast as the book. Something else that makes "Appaloosa" stand out in DVD format is an economic factor. The movie is offered in both widescreen and fullscreen format on a single disc. At an age in which so many companies force audiences to choose between the formats on separate discs, doing things in this fashion saves a lot of money for consumers. It saves money in that so many movies are issued in a single disc widescreen or full screen edition, and a double disc edition with additional bonus features. "Appaloosa" didn't do that. This is one of the very few movies in the current era that is presented to consumers as is. Economically speaking, this is a huge bonus. "Apploosa" is not a western loaded down with fast-paced chases and gunfights throughout. That may have been a major contributing factor to the movie's level of success. Despite that, Harris and the rest of the cast have done honor to the original book. Perhaps those who haven't read the book are the ones who don't fully appreciate the story. Maybe in reading the book, they will go back to the movie afterwards, and better enjoy it. Perhaps they will come to realize that combined, the book and the movie have brought audiences a story that will be enjoyable for many years to come. Read more Less
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