The Warrant

I was waking up, and it's an easy movie to follow with a decent script, historical value because of the Civil War timeframe. I recommend this adventure is one you could add to movie night and be ok with.

As someone who can understand that good westerns died with the 21st century, I didn't mind this movie at all. It had its flaws but it still had everything a western needs. There were a few parts I even found comical.

The Warrant DID have some value - lovely, fine horses, authentic tackle, and riders that could ACTUALLY ride, with backwoods Civil War battles between Confed and Yankee footsoldiers. There was just something a bit phony about the setup, for example Hero, John Breaker, lacked that classical taciturn-ness - opting instead for 1970s "whimsical". But I did like, Steve McQueen, (grandson of his namesake) putting in a most solid performance, a face for the Future.

Not like a regular cowboy and indian movie. I thought it was well played, wished it had been a little longer. (Reason for a 9 instead of 10)

This movie is a throwback to the B-westerns of yesteryear. Trouble is, those old B-westerns are feats of epic cinema compared to this 2020 version of the American Western. And it's a shame, too. Here is THE vehicle that launched many an outstanding and treasured career - Wayne, Mitchum, Stewart, McQueen, Marvin, etc . . . Only these "leading" actors forgot to do their home work. The acting is "Al-Gore-wooden-like" as each actor struggles to strike their best pose to reveal their best side as they regurgitate their canned lines. There is no emotion or meaning to their words - they're just canned lines to be said, not communicated, just said. The Shea Sizemore screenplay makes sense, but it didn't get pulled together. The score adds nothing to the movie. In fact, at times it would be best if there were no score. I lay the quality of this film at the feet of the one to blame - Director Brent Christy. I apparently have never seen a Brent Christy-directed film - I hope I don't again. This film is all over the place, chasing it's tail. Siskel & Ebert - Beware!