4/4 stars
One of the great things about the western genre is that it's one of the few (probably alongside comic book movies) that can support a seamless transition from serious, sometimes Oscar-caliber dramatic acting to adrenaline fueled action. This movie does so well at both that it makes you wonder why other films seem to find the balance so hard. While the entire cast is fantastic, obviously the two stars are the standouts. Christian Bale adds another intense, layered performance to his resume. Meanwhile Russell Crowe captivates in his performance as my favorite brand of villain: polite, conversational, and yet utterly chilling. I've been unimpressed by Crowe in the past, but here he pulls together a number of phenomenal elements that make for one of the best movies of the year, and the best westerns of all time.
Written January 31, 2008.
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