The Good, the Bad, the Weird

A Korean western (a great idea to set it in 1940s Manchuria), probably the only one of its kind, a jolly addition to the genre. Shoot-outs, tight fights and ideas galore, where the only problem is in the length. The introduction is too long-winded, if it weren’t for Jee-woon Kim’s director’s tricks up his sleeve, it would have been a bit boring. As the end approaches, the more Japanese army and an Indiana Jones veneer start encroaching on this western. Mainly during the chase in the desert toward the end. The trio of main protagonists is interesting, basically I didn’t have a favorite during the final shoot-out and the slight twist at the end was very welcome. Dig. (15/02/2013)

Infantile, over-combined but entertaining (even so). The greatest shame is that none of the central trio puts even a hint of the charisma or even interest into their character. One look from Tuco and these three would shoot out with each other over the immense honor of licking his dirty feet and then stepping up to Blondie standing next to him to polish up his dusty boots. (07/12/2008)