Dollar for the Dead

Dollar for the Dead is a great little western experiment, and should be seen by all western enthusiasts - especially if you like Sergio Leone's western style, or almost any western with Clint Eastwood.

The movie is pretty predictable all the way, but that's really missing the point. It never tries to be a great work of art - just an homage to the old spaghetti westerns.

The style of the movie is great, it has all the right clichés, and the cast works well together - I especially liked William Forsythe in this movie. The movie is pepped up with a modern pace, hilarious over-the-top shootouts and a good dose of comic relief - which all works great. You just have to recognize the movie's almost sarcastic way of approaching the whole genre.

A must-see for all fans of the genre - 8/10

Lots of nice eye candy, but the cinematography does not compare to that in The Quick and the Dead, a film this TNT original brings to mind. The story is flimsy and too busy, but nevermind. The real purpose is for Emilio Estevez to squint and Howie Long to wear a duster while shooting up the "bad" guys in an attempt to emulate Sam Raimi or Peckinpah.

Not an entire waste of time. I was sitting at home while my wife was out of town, and enjoyed it for what it is: a non-pretentious, silly western with some gravitational tricks that would make Xena jealous.

El Gato says check it out.

Tongue - in - cheek western adventure with all the "clichés" of the genre. A lone gunfighter (Estevez) teams up with a ex - confederate soldier (Forsythe) to find gold in a little Mexican village tormented by ruthless bandits. Mr. Quintano, the director of this one, seems a bit influenced by John Woo (mainly in the scenes of shooting). Extremely predictable but otherwise effective in its purpose. A good fun for western addicts. I give this a 6 (six).

This "spaghetti western" wannabe is long on style, and short on story, with mixed up casting. The action scenes are so stylized with slow motion and cartoon like violence that any impact is completely lost. Emilo Estevez is severly miscast as the mysterious stranger. He certainly lacks the mystique of Clint Eastwood, and his sidekick, William Forsythe is no Eli Wallach. The greatest strength of "Dollar For the Dead" is in the supporting cast, but they are criminally underused, and barely have any screen time. Ed Lauter is a fine character actor, and he outshines Emilio Estevez in every scene they share. Jonathan Banks barely has any lines at all. When the only one in the entire movie who comes close to nailing true laconic "spaghetti western" acting is Howie Long, you know you have a problem. - MERK

There is really very little to criticise in this action-packed movie, that`s pure entertainment all the way. The plot may be a little thin, but it is filmed in true Spaghetti western style: the hero remains in the grey area of good and bad and says little, but he knows how to shoot and the action scenes are fast and very `operatic`. `Dollar` is well cast: no one will replace Clint Eastwood as the mysterious cowboy with no name, but the much under-rated Emilio Estevez is an excellent choice. Estevez has the ability to say as much with a look as with words and so few actors nowadays can do this. In the same way as he previously brought Billy the Kid to life, he does a splendid job with the Cowboy. A thoroughly enjoyable movie ! Carole Zorzo/ England