Tombstone review by Da Bonghit

Story Summary

Tombstone chronicles the events surrounding the real-life Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, focusing on Wyatt Earp's life after Law Enforcement in Dodge City. Wyatt (Kurt Russell) meets up with his brothers Morgan (Bill Paxton) and Virgil (Sam Elliott) in Tombstone, Arizona. The brothers come to Tombstone to make their fortune and live in obscurity. Wyatt's old friend and legendary Gunslinger/Gambler Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) is also currently residing in Tombstone and before you know it, they are all making their money and having a great time; which is short lived. The local outlaw gang, The Cowboys, is making trouble in the area which lead to confrontation between the Earp brothers and Holliday. Virgil and Morgan take as Lawmen. Seeing that something is going to happen, Wyatt reluctantly joins them; leading up to the shoot-out at the O.K. Corral and releasing the region from the grip of the Cowboys.

DVD features

This DVD is the Director's Cut and called the Vista Series. Tons of extras. With a Tombstone Timeline, Faro at the Oriental and a map of Tombstone reinacting the day of the O.K. Corral gunfight highlight this Special Release. It gets the Treatment with Widescreen, THX-Certified Dolby or DTS 5.1 Surround Sound. This DVD has everything.

Analysis

Tombstone accurately depicts the Earps and Cowboy's lifestyles; of course, from the Earp's point of view. But that doesn't take anything away from the film. Great Cinematography and a marvelous score really brings this tale of suspense to life.
Kurt Russell pulls off his Wyatt Earp character quite well. Clearly showing his struggle to not be drawn into the Law again as well as trying not to fall for the free spirited Josephine Marcus.
Russell's performance is only overshadowed by Val Kilmer's portrayal of Doc Holliday; quite possibly Kilmer's best performance.
Other notable characters are Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn) and Curly Bill Brocious (Powers Boothe), the leaders of the Cowboys. Both were briliantly played. We cannot forget the 'Cowboy Friendly' Sheriff Behan (Jon Tenney) or Billy Breckinridge, the gay Deputy played by Jason Priestley.
There are some downfalls to the movie. The movie should have ended at the Train Station as Wyatt shows his Marshall's badge to Ike Clanton. This would have given the film a solid ending. Instead, it takes us through the chasing and killing of many Cowboys; long and drwan out through two montages. Maybe cutting these and giving the lesser-main characters more substance would have made this a Grade A Western. Its still pretty good.

Final Thoughts

Movies based on real-life events usually distort the facts, which, I'm sure, this one does as well. Tombstone shows the Old West for what I always thought it was; gambling, shooting, drinking and bad vs. good. A wonderful tale that throws a little bit of history at you. A definite must see.


8 out of 10 Jackasses
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