The Harder They Fall

This movie has so much style that substance is barely required. Yes, there were Black cowboys. Yes, these people existed. But this movie is mostly focused on (a) a ridiculously talented cast, (b) a familiar revenge tale, (c) amazing scenery/cinematography, (d) an absolutely banging soundtrack. By the end, you almost forget how whitewashed (and often boring) Westerns were for 100 years. It is big, bombastic, violent, unapologetic, and sexy as Hell. You may not love it, but you will 100% be entertained.

This had all the makings of a good western but seemed more of a low budget Django Unchained.

Poor acting, plot and character development.

Idris was disappointing and I felt no love between the main man and woman.

The movie was as bad as my review.

The Harder they Fall (2021) is a movie the wife and I recently watched on Netflix. The storyline follows a young man who suffered a horrific past when he whitenessed his parents murdered. When he discovers the man responsible recently escaped from jail he puts together a team to hunt him down and obtain revenge.

This movie is directed by Jeymes Samuel (They Die by Dawn) and stars Jonathan Majors (Lovecraft Country), Zazie Beetz (The Joker), Regina King (Ray), LaKeith Stanfield (Get Out), Idris Elba (Thor), Delroy Lindo (Clockers) and Danielle Deadwyler (The Devil to Pay).

The storyline for this picture had fantastic potential and worthwhile primary and sub plots. The characters are well written, both in terms of backstories and dialogue. The attention to detail and cinematography in this is out of this world; however at times, there's too much focus on style over substance which slows the pace of the film a bit too much. I will say the conclusion is excellent.

The cast is very well selected and everyone delivers their characters perfectly. The action sequences are executed and delivered with entertaining levels of grit and intensity. The soundtrack for this is out of this world good.

Overall this is a very well done movie that is entertaining and worth a viewing; however, it doesn't reach its full potential. I'd score this a 7/10 and strongly recommend seeing it.

And then the Martian tried to make a western. A painfully slow epic which steals from every western genre that came before it, but then it lapses into reggae musical interludes. And the gratuitous violence against everybody, Jesus... and no story. Well, there is a story, but the film meanders so much you don't care. The weirdest thing I've ever seen. Watch 3:10 to Yuma again, instead...or maybe The Harder They Come ;=)

Original take on the western genre. The story is a pure revenge western style story o on that part no problem. The way it was shot is excellent too as was the editing.

And if you think the score is typical Morricone sound forget it, it's full of music not connected to the genre, the reggae sound being the strangest one. But it all works fine.

Effects are great too, the red stuff is there but the only thing that I thought was why does it has to be so long. Over 2 hours and that shows in the middle part. It falls downwards in speed for over half an hour.

Still, an excellent cast and one funny statement, it's a white town... you will see what I mean. Great western.

Gore 1/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 3/5 Story 3/5 Comedy 0,5/5.