Student Film Reviews

Film reviews from theaters, couches, and film festivals

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1. Naomi Noury 09.03.11 / 9pm

   I really was interested in seeing this movie and after reading your review I am not sure if it would be for me. I am not a huge fan of westerns or sci-fi movies in general but many of my friends who have seen it said it was great and worth paying the movie theater price. It seems to me as though this movie would be very unrealistic and crazy. I am more into the romantic and comedic films. To my friends who are in love with both these genres it may be the best movie ever! It’s a very creative idea however to hybrid two genres into one crazy film. Thank you for you very thoughtful and helpful review.
2. Marcus Morosin 09.07.11 / 1pm

   Unfortunately I was never able to see this movie while it was still in theaters, but after reading your review I wish I had! I have always been a huge western fan and have always enjoyed watching both old films such as Cling Eastwood classics and new films like True Grit. I have been a big fan of Daniel Craig since he made his big appearance in James Bond. I thought that he had a brilliant performance in Defiance. The interesting twist of combining sci-fi aspects with a classic western as you have described sounds very interesting. I am looking forward to when the film comes out for rental so that I can see if I like it as much as you did.
3. Daniel Edwards 09.12.11 / 7pm

   When I first decided to see this movie with a few of my friends, I walked in with very low expectations. A movie with Cowboys…against technologically advanced aliens? The premise seemed far-fetched and ridiculous, but, the time fit and it was 95 degrees outside. Surprisingly, even though this film is a bit outlandish; it was also extremely entertaining. Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig do a phenomenal job acting. I also have been a big fan of Daniel Craig since his performance in James Bond and Defiance. I think Kathleen was correct when she said, “I can’t help but wish it had stayed a western…”. Hopefully some Hollywood execs see the same potential. Another great review by Kathleen.
4. Danny Nguyen 09.13.11 / 11am

   I must say that I had my doubts about this movie and I still do.. bu the the solid acting and great performances by Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford really make up for it. Although I still believe that Daniel Craig is more fun in a tuxedo than he is in a lambskin vest. Aside from the idea of mixing two well-loved genres, there is nothing original about it. The film opens up to a lone and lost cowboy with no memory of who he is with a metal bracelet attached to his wrist as a potential clue. Making his way to a near by town, he finds that he is a wanted man and right when he gets locked up in jail — BAM — aliens start attacking the town and capturing townspeople, leaving no choice but for the Hero to match their level. This sets the tone for the whole movie as only a small group of people are off to fight the aliens and rescue the captured people/ Along they way they ally themselves with a group of cowboys and Apache indians. The final fight was very one sided as the humans were clearly outmatched for the aliens speed, technology, and brute strength. However, the protagonists somehow find a way to board the mother ship to blow it up for good. Something we’ve all seen before when humans were on the verge of dying. Very cliche and predictable. I have mixed feelings about this film. I like it, but it’s nothing spectacular but still a really fun movie to watch. If you like action, cowboys, aliens and a crappy plot, this movie would be for you.
5. Rebecca Whitham 09.25.11 / 10pm

   When I first saw the preview for this film in theaters, I was taken aback by the bringing together of such diverse characters, cowboys…and aliens? In my knowledge of the film industry, I had never heard of such a thing, but was interested to see if the film would be worth the time. Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig are perfect contenders for an action packed film such as this one. Daniel Craig plays the role of the action hero in a very suave and unique way, such as with his performance in both Casino Royale’s. In my mind, he is an ideal actor for this type of film; saving the day and getting the girl. However, the bringing together of the sci-fi genre and the western genre is still questionable to me, but based on this review, I have not yet dismissed the idea of watching this film. Although it would not be the first pick for me at the local Redbox, I would still be open to viewing it if there was nothing I truly wanted to see.
6. Monique Hallquist 09.29.11 / 10am

   After watching this film in theaters I was left with some of the same feelings you shared. I am a fan of western movies and I thought that the sci-fi aspects definitely took away from the quality. I was hesitant to watch this film because I did not believe that the special effects would be realistic and entertaining. However, they were okay and I did not think the film was too bad. I think that the actors played a huge part in the success of the film. Daniel Craig is a big favorite of mine and I will admit that I went to the movie to see how well he participated in it.
7. Bonny Chen 10.13.11 / 10pm

   I’ve never watched this movie but I wasn’t really interested in this movie when it came out on the theater because of the title and it is about aliens. But after watching the trailer and it really grabbed my attention. I am actually a big fan of Daniel Craig regarding to his 007 James Bond movie series. After reading the review, it seems to me that this movie would be those kinds of mysteries and aliens movies. I’m not a big fan of this kind of movies; I am more into romantic and comedy. But after reading the reviews and watched the trailer, I really want to see this movie.
8. Eric Skeen 10.14.11 / 1pm

   While this movie had some great cinematography—angles, shots, special effects, costumes and props—it lacked realism. Well of course a movie about cowboys fighting aliens won’t seem real but this movie was too abstract for me to find enjoyment. It seemed like a normal-ish western movie in the beginning of the movie and then it progressed into a terrible movie. I love Daniel Craig as an actor, especially as James Bond, however this wasn’t the right movie for him or any other actor. I am pretty glad that I didn’t go out to the movie theatre to see this movie, I would have been disappointed with my purchase.
9. Joseph Racicot 10.14.11 / 7pm

   I agree that the female role as well as the child role felt forced and unnacessary. Also an overly Spielberg feel with the kid and the aliens. What I liked the most about this movie is how well Daniel Craig was able to completely eliminate his accent to sound American. Harrison Ford’s performance was excellent and reminiscent of Indiana Jones and Han Solo. I think it would have been even better if it would have stuck more to the graphic novel.
10. Ko Heo 10.14.11 / 8pm

    When I first saw the posters advertising this movie, my first thoughts were “Really? Cowboys AND aliens? With zapping bracelets? Who directed it?”. And lo and behold, it’s Steven Spielberg. Don’t take that the wrong way — I think Spielberg’s a brilliant moviemaker. However, after the fourth Indiana Jones installment involving aliens, I’m kind of wary of movies that are not “complete alien movies”. I also had my doubts of the combination of two very distinctly different movie genres, sci-fi and western. Even after watching this film, I’m still hesitant to call this a successful combination. However, I have to agree that the female role as well as the child role were unnecessary. What I did like was Daniel Craig’s performance, as well as the storyline of a group of selfish individuals working together to defeat a common enemy.
11. Trevor Swigart 10.15.11 / 1pm

    I saw this movie in theaters when it came out, expecting to see a pretty good film, however I was let down. I thought that the movie just dragged on too much. That being said I thought all of the acting was pretty good, and the cinematography was good as well. I also didn’t really like how it lacked realism. But overall I guess the film wasn’t terrible.
12. Oliver Cregg 10.15.11 / 2pm

    I also saw this movie and i quite enjoyed it. I agree that the female role was overly forced but i think that they just wanted that sexy female role in the film whether it went along with the plot or not. I think that the story of the film was too far fetched too be a true blockbuster but i still enjoyed it. I liked the assortment of different camera angles and the cinematography. What surprised me most was the acting of Daniel Craig to becoming a man of the old west. Harrison Ford was also very good in this film.
13. Kim Carter 10.21.11 / 10pm

    After reading Kathleen Amboy’s review of Cowboys and Aliens, directed by Jon Favreau, I really want to see this film. I liked what Kathleen said about this being a cross-genre film, both a western and a science fiction film, what a great twist.

    Kathleen goes over the plot of the film, including the actors who played what parts. I liked her comments regarding the flaw in the story, and how it pulled her out of the film. Why didn’t the female lead warn the townspeople instead of just standing their looking pretty? When things like that occur in a film it often lessons my ability to stay engaged in the film as well, things need to make sense.

    Despite the plot issue, based on Kathleen’s review I would enjoy seeing this film.
14. Olivia Spaulding 11.01.11 / 4pm

    I wasn’t a huge fan of this film, though I can’t say I’m a huge fan of westerns either. Though it was entertaining at parts and the acting was good, the film itself dragged on a bit and lacked the shock factor I was looking for. It seemed a bit predictable and, though it is such a unique and different film since it crosses two different genres, it seemed like it was just the generic western film crossed with the generic sci-fi, and that’s all it was. Nothing extremely unique or new, other than the cross genres, was presented. I did think that the cross genre idea was very interesting, but it just wasn’t enough. Also, the fact the the western part of the film almost disappeared was odd to me. Overall, I was entertained while watching the film, but I wouldn’t see it again.
15. Stanley Callahan 11.05.11 / 11pm

    As a person who has never been into western films at all throughout my life, I can definitely say this film was more interesting than I thought. It was mainly because of the sci fi experience that it brought into our imagination. The way that Kathleen described this movie in this review undermines the spectacular plot that Cowboys and Aliens had. Nor did she provide her knowledge on the skills of the actors. In the case of another movie that is a mix between science fiction and western, this is the best movie that can even compare in that categorical sense for the fact that there is no other movie like this! Which makes me admit that I am fan of Cowboys and Aliens.
16. Samantha Marmion 11.10.11 / 4pm

    I personally, have not seen Cowboys and Aliens.. I did not have a desire to spend money on it. I thought it looked cheesy and not well produced. I do not like alien and extra-terrestrial movies so I did not bother with this film. You seemed to like it according to your review, so maybe I could give it a try. Harrison Ford, being the respectable actor he is, could have been in a much more meaningful film that did not resemble imaginary tails. Overall, good review!
17. Anjelica Soto 11.18.11 / 11pm

    I haven’t seen this film either but after reading this review I am very interested in renting it. I am not a big fan at all of western or sci-fi films but just the combination of them both and how they would work together makes it seem like a worth while movie. The review makes it seem like there is a lot of mysteries that are involved and background stories.
18. D. Anthony Boman 09.04.12 / 12pm

    I rented this film from Netflix as I was intrigued by the idea of Cowboys and Aliens and the action and adventure that could be had from such a plot. The film was action packed and the plot did move briskly along but, most of this was just rehashing of the familiar Spielberg devices. Hard nosed old geezers, kids, dogs, strong women that kick butt, and an enigmatic hero add to the Hollywood stereotypical characters in this film. I had seen it before and seen done in much better style. The film left me with a nagging feeling and I couldn’t quite pin it down; until I realized that most of the characters were two dimensional, including the aliens. The comic book origins of the film are definitely there for all to see. I wanted more information on why these aliens felt the need to go to other worlds to mine for gold. Did they need it for physical survival? Did it power some sort of technology? Or did they just fancy some heavy duty bling? This was an intriguing idea putting the Cowboys versus the Aliens but, I think that the execution was just lacking in originality.
19. Josh Kaye-Carr 11.23.12 / 6pm

    I found this film to be fun as well, and I think that “fun” is an apt description for what might have been a film that could have gotten its laughs in all the wrong places if mishandled by the filmmakers. As a matter of fact, it was widely publicized that the filmmakers were horrified when Cowboys and Aliens was first screened in front of test audiences because people were snickering and guffawing during scenes that were supposed to be dramatic. This reaction sent them scurrying back into the edit suite to lick their wounds and right their wrongs. Thankfully, I think they got it right.

    This mixed genre is a difficult combination to pull off and I think that Jon Favreau succeeded in doing just that. Engaging writing, good casting, accomplished acting, and creative directing made what could have been a real “groaner” into an interesting and enjoyable bit of escapism, albeit one with an unfortunately shopworn and predictable ending.

    As the reviewer noted in his “Spoiler Question” one often wonders why certain characters don’t do the most obvious and logical thing in a given story, but sometimes we have to look past the logic (or lack thereof) and just enjoy the movie on its own entertainment merits with out looking too closely for rationality.
20. claudia Serrano 10.09.18 / 5pm

    I had seen this movie when I was about 8 years old and I haven’t seen it since. I saw it in the theater with my dad because he is a fan of western movie and I love horror films. The movie is pretty odd, cowboys opposite to aliens technology. The movie was very exciting and had a lot of action making it a really thrilling film. I thought the review was very helpful for understanding the movies background and who each character is. I like how they described each characters role in the film and how they fit in the plot. Fantastic job!
21. Joseph Jordahl 03.19.21 / 8pm

    The film Cowboys and Aliens takes the audience on a journey of curiosity especially since the main character Jake has lost his memory, and is wearing an unknown bracelet. The flashbacks that Jake has throughout the film keeps the audience hooked especially when the bracelet becomes a powerful weapon. The camera’s filters create a greenish blue haze during Jake’s flashbacks as if the audience is looking into his past memories. Great Summary!

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