A Million Ways to Die in the West Movie Blurb by Shale May 31, 2014 Something's wrong with me. I really enjoyed this Western comedy and yet it is being panned by most of the aggregate critics on Rottentomatoes where only 33% consider it fresh and only 52% of audiences liked it. The setting is 1882 Arizona and the movie opens like so many of those 1950's Westerns I saw as a kid, with panoramic vistas and bold orchestral music and 19th Century lettering of titles on screen. Albert Stark (Seth MacFarlane) is a sheep farmer going with his cute girlfriend Louise (Amanda Seyfried) who is about to break up with him since he negotiated his way out of a gunfight, which he would have lost since he is a nerd who doesn't know how to shoot. (Yep, words like "nerd" and "fuck" and many other non-period expressions are used in this R-rated movie - which was co-written and directed by MacFarlane). Albert's friend Edward (Giovanni Ribisi) with his girlfriend Ruth (Sarah Silverman) who works in the saloon as a prostitute try to cheer him up but he is inconsolable. BTW, Edward and Ruth have never had sex because they are a Christian couple saving themselves for marriage. (lots of crude humor in this running joke) Edward & Ruth at the Saloon Then Anna Leatherwood (Charlize Theron) wife of notorious killer Clinch Leatherwood (Liam Neeson) comes into town and they are mutually attracted. Albert is still in love with Louise who has now hooked up with Foy (Neil Patrick Harris) and the two guys get into a fight which results in a challenge to a duel. At the county fair, we see how poorly Albert is with a gun and how well Foy can shoot. Anna proves to be a regular Annie Oakley at the shooting range and is going to teach Albert how to shoot in the week's time before his gunfight. Albert & Anna at Fair The night before the gunfight, they have a barn dance and the two couples throw a few verbal jabs. Foy & Louise, Albert & Anna at Dance This is pretty much the plot of the movie. You know there has to be a showdown with Clinch Leatherwood an abusive killer who comes looking for his hot wife. The whole premise is absurd but I enjoyed the meandering thru the jokes. Maybe I'm one of those lowbrow types who like this sort of crude, sexual innuendo, sight gag, potty, humor. Actually, for me it was an updating of Blazing Saddles (1974), which you might recall had a long fart scene around the campfire and "******" was said almost as much as it was in Django. And yet, that movie was well received and got Academy Award nominations. The word "******" was not used once in this movie but it did have its share of politically incorrect humor, like a carnival firing range with runaway slave targets or a joke comparing a 19th Century bustle with black booty. Racist humor or have we all secretly thot that? Albert & Anna Discuss Black Booty There was some graphic gore in this movie as well. You may have seen the trailer where the huge block of ice falls on one of the workers. They didn't put the blood spatter in the trailer. And this movie goes beyond farts to two western hats full of diarrhea. I guess that is enuf heads-up to let you know if you will want to see this movie. Apparently it appeals to 52% of ppl, of which I am one. There were also several cameo appearances that I will just let you see without mentioning the big name actors who appeared.
I am a Seth MacFarlane fan, and I liked Ted, but I thought this film was pure crap. I'm glad you enjoyed it though
