dave4248185

Most of the other reviews are too harsh. Yes they cut corners on the budget. The costumes look as though they were bought at 'Halloween USA.' And I think the cap gun I played with as a kid made a louder sound than the guns here. However the cinematography and editing are well above average and the directing and acting are very good. Every principle character has great screen presence except for Steve Graham (Sam Kennedy) but I think that was on purpose because he's playing a character who's kind of a weasel. And it sticks to the formula for a great 'shoot em up' western. I. E. Well established good guys and well established bad guys (no grey area) trying to kill each other.

For the most part this was a well told, and fair to all sides, story. There was some artistic speculation, like when the first victim is chased down the HS corridor by two bullies, no evidence that ever happened. But the overall narrative is balanced and lacking too much sensationalism. One question, why all the raves for Pacino's performance? Paterno retained his thick Brooklyn dialect his entire life, very similar to how Pacino talked as Sonny in 'Dog Day Afternoon', but said accent is a no show here. I expected more from Pacino since he was clearly capable of pulling it off .