Appaloosa
New Line Cinema | Release Date: September 19, 2008
6.0
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 107 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
53
Mixed:
30
Negative:
24
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
JohnC.Feb 12, 2009
Its a good old fashion western. I loved it.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
10
BEEsniderJul 18, 2009
Great Cinematography, acting was superb, I have a feeling most people did not understand much of the story but hey, it's their loss.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
7
Andys_ReviewsJan 6, 2013
The story focuses on the relationship between Cole and Hitch, and what affect the (rather flighty) Mrs Fitch has on it. I actually quite liked this aspect of the plot; it gave the characters some realism, something that many westerns lack.The story focuses on the relationship between Cole and Hitch, and what affect the (rather flighty) Mrs Fitch has on it. I actually quite liked this aspect of the plot; it gave the characters some realism, something that many westerns lack. All the performances from the main cast were excellent; in particular Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen, who takes the prize for the best beard and moustache combo I… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
9
neilhodgkinsonNov 28, 2015
I thought this western was brilliant. Filmed at the correct "pace" and it immerses you right into the story the way it portrays the different characters of the town - a true western, this is how I imagined the west to be, also brilliant acting.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
All this user's reviews
3
spadenxDec 15, 2011
Great acting, You cant denie that. The one huge problem of this film is that it lacks interest and its far too long, It made you feel like you were suffering just to get to any decent part in the film. The script could have been a lot better as well.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
1
pdxsrwMar 26, 2009
One of the worst movies I have seen in some time. If you like Mystery Science Theater 3k, then this is a fun movie to comment along to. A disappointing waste of time. The editing appears to have been performed by Elementary School Media 101 One of the worst movies I have seen in some time. If you like Mystery Science Theater 3k, then this is a fun movie to comment along to. A disappointing waste of time. The editing appears to have been performed by Elementary School Media 101 students. The dialog must have been written by the low bidder from a 3rd world company of drunken nomads. Ed Harris, I am embarrassed for you. Vigo, other than the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I have yet to take an interest in your character. And Renee Z.... ugh... painful.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
scarpyO.Oct 6, 2008
Believable and likable characters with a great blend of humor, violence and a great unpredictable ending. Can't remember a western this enjoyable.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
ShaneB.Oct 6, 2008
I was really looking forward to this movie. I read the book awhile back. The opening chapter of the book was incredibly intense and they through that out. Alot of the efforts of the sidekick were thrown out. In the book he really had to I was really looking forward to this movie. I read the book awhile back. The opening chapter of the book was incredibly intense and they through that out. Alot of the efforts of the sidekick were thrown out. In the book he really had to cover for Ed Harris's character alot, Ed's character was a bigger social misfit than he appeared in the film. I think they really watered down the book leaving the movie with a slight pulse and I hate to say it but at times boring. The book is a short quick read, check it out. Oddly enough, A History of Violence, with Ed Harris and Vigo Mortensen, they did almost the same thing. Left out some great scenes and pivotal story elements, totally through out an important character from the graphic novel and completely rewrote the ending. Both of these movies would have been edgier, more convincing and offered a better movie going experience if they had remained a little truer to the books. I was anxious to see both of those movies and was fairly dissappointed after seeing both. I'm glad they made them, they are unique stories, alot different than alot of the other types of movies that are made.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
idiotartJan 10, 2009
I couldn't agree more with D.R. The critics must be smoking something. I've lost all respect for Harris.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
RyanS.Mar 1, 2009
This movie was short on the classic westerns gun slinging and full of power struggles between the characters of the movie. Ed Harris is a great actor, but this movie defiantly rates a movie that leaves much to be desired. I would not This movie was short on the classic westerns gun slinging and full of power struggles between the characters of the movie. Ed Harris is a great actor, but this movie defiantly rates a movie that leaves much to be desired. I would not recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a movie that has the same results as tombstone.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
KDGAug 31, 2009
Yawn and double yawn. Zellweger is either horribly miscast or phonig it in, and I generally like her. Although it is beautifully shot and Mortensen is typically strong, the story goes nowhere and it does so very slowly with, at ltimes, Yawn and double yawn. Zellweger is either horribly miscast or phonig it in, and I generally like her. Although it is beautifully shot and Mortensen is typically strong, the story goes nowhere and it does so very slowly with, at ltimes, shockingly bad dialogue. Don't bother wasting your time on this one.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
GaryM.Oct 13, 2008
Dreadefully boring. A collection of oater cliches occupied about a third of the film, the other two thirds being spent in . . . meaningful transitions? Studies of how little there really was to do in the Old West? Whatever.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
TerryROct 18, 2008
Ok, not great...no masterpiece that is for sure. Script is highly leveraged from Open Range. Acting is not great. Can actors please quit getting facelifts and brightsmile treatments? Rene Z looked freakish in this movie with her too tight to Ok, not great...no masterpiece that is for sure. Script is highly leveraged from Open Range. Acting is not great. Can actors please quit getting facelifts and brightsmile treatments? Rene Z looked freakish in this movie with her too tight to smile face, and nothing like seeing a rugged old cowboy show up and bust out a Jessica Simpson type smile. See also: Powers Booth in Deadwood.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
AnnB.Oct 4, 2008
The story line wasn't exactly "new," but the film was beautifully shot and the acting was good. We liked seeing an "old fashioned" Western. But, hey, couldn't they have found an American to play Bragg instead of Jeremy Irons, who The story line wasn't exactly "new," but the film was beautifully shot and the acting was good. We liked seeing an "old fashioned" Western. But, hey, couldn't they have found an American to play Bragg instead of Jeremy Irons, who was good, but his accent left something to be desired.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
RebeccaA.Sep 18, 2008
Saw this at a critic's screening. Booorrringgg! Who did they make this for? My grandparents? Even they would hate it it's so conventional, so slowly paced, so lacadaiscally directed by actor Ed Harris, The acting is fine, but the Saw this at a critic's screening. Booorrringgg! Who did they make this for? My grandparents? Even they would hate it it's so conventional, so slowly paced, so lacadaiscally directed by actor Ed Harris, The acting is fine, but the sript is such a throwback, at a time when the Western, as a film genre, needs to be reimagined if it has any hope of survival. The last great Western was "Unforgiven," another slow movie, but one which at least had a lot of subtext. "Appaloosa" only has text, and not very text at that. (And Zelleweger was horribly miscast!)… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
BartJ.Sep 21, 2008
A good old-fashioned western.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
BitBurnJan 4, 2009
Not that bad. Storyline holds up well, well acted. Lacks a bit action scenes though.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
6
JasonDeatherageFeb 9, 2009
I would have to say that this movie was ok. I liked the characters and the directing, but the story was a little boring. It is basically a love story that was set in the western frontier. If you are looking for a gunblazing western along the I would have to say that this movie was ok. I liked the characters and the directing, but the story was a little boring. It is basically a love story that was set in the western frontier. If you are looking for a gunblazing western along the lines of Young Guns or Tombstone then this movie is not for you. If you love westerns in general then this movie will be up your alley.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
NickJ.Oct 11, 2008
While I did enjoy Mr. Mortensen's character and the slowly unfolding pace of Appaloosa, it is a Frankenstein of a western, built mostly of cliches. You get it all: the well read / no good varmint running roughshod over the frightened While I did enjoy Mr. Mortensen's character and the slowly unfolding pace of Appaloosa, it is a Frankenstein of a western, built mostly of cliches. You get it all: the well read / no good varmint running roughshod over the frightened citizens of a lawless town, the strong and silent lawmen who aint no heroes, saloon whores, horse raiding Injuns, Chinese waiters speaking broken English... For God's sakes it ends with a literal ride into the sunset! It'd be riot if it wasn't so darned earnest.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
BobH.Oct 11, 2008
This movie was VERY slow. Things happen without explanation. Good acting, better directing is desired.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
JoshuaM.Oct 10, 2008
A western about westerns. This movie was awful.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
D.R.Oct 17, 2008
This movie is horrible. The dialogue descends from laughable to appalling. The cinematography is that of an amateurish B-movie. There is no plot, and all attempts at one fail as logic or entertainment. Renee Zellweger is painful to look at This movie is horrible. The dialogue descends from laughable to appalling. The cinematography is that of an amateurish B-movie. There is no plot, and all attempts at one fail as logic or entertainment. Renee Zellweger is painful to look at and obnoxious. This movie is so bad - so, so bad. I cannot fathom what the critics are thinking or watching.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
JudyTOct 3, 2008
Appaloosa is an okay western and an okay movie. It's a great character study in Virigil and Everett. Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen are great to watch. In the end though Viggo's part is written much better. His rendition of Everett Appaloosa is an okay western and an okay movie. It's a great character study in Virigil and Everett. Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen are great to watch. In the end though Viggo's part is written much better. His rendition of Everett Hitch makes it worth the money.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
DaveA.Oct 6, 2008
Boring is the word. There's almost nothing to this movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
hughiecSep 17, 2008
Exciting and quietly funny. Mortensen and Harris are great. Zellwegger pretty good too.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JaredC.Sep 18, 2008
2008's No Country for Old Men, but what it should've got in the reviews. Personally No Country's over rated. But damn, is Appaloosa is what Unforgiven fans and western lovers like.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
SimonH.Sep 29, 2008
A welcome return to the western - Fantastic cast, great character relationships, some of the tensest scenes I can ever remember watching - highly recommended.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
JayH.Jan 13, 2009
Solid western, well directed and the actors are ideally cast. Fine attention to period detail, great cinematography, fine score, good art direction. A traditional western made with modern flair.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
PatrickR.Jan 16, 2009
Tedious, slow, over-stylised. Improbable ending. Zellwegger looks weird with a trout pout. Only Mortensen is worth watching
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
JaquieMJan 7, 2009
Renee, although sometimes a good actress, droned on and on in a wimpy, whiny way that was obnoxious - and she looked AWFUL. While I beleive they may have uglied-her down a little, teh result was just terrible. Not an awful moviem but not Renee, although sometimes a good actress, droned on and on in a wimpy, whiny way that was obnoxious - and she looked AWFUL. While I beleive they may have uglied-her down a little, teh result was just terrible. Not an awful moviem but not what I expected. Viggo (who I normally love) didn't look all thet great either and seemed to be there merely to collect a check. In fact, after about thirty minutes of it, that's what I wanted to say: "Check please ... I'm outta here. Yup."… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
JudyG.Feb 14, 2009
Without a doubt, one of the worst films I have ever seen-I like Ed harris a lot and I love Westerns but this was terrible- Stilted dialogue, poorly written and very predictable story line-sggest Ed Harris stick with his day job
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
DavidRApr 16, 2009
Slow, very little to get excited about after the opening scenes and nearly put me to sleep in at least three places. Everybody but Viggo Mortensen appeared to be overacting. Renee Zellweger's character was so badly written she had to be Slow, very little to get excited about after the opening scenes and nearly put me to sleep in at least three places. Everybody but Viggo Mortensen appeared to be overacting. Renee Zellweger's character was so badly written she had to be explained by the other characters. I wouldnt recommend this to anyone.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
KyleS.Nov 16, 2008
I am a western fan, especially those of Eastwood, Peckinpah and Leone. This movie felt like some egomaniacal actors willing themselves into the genre pantheon with performances and set-pieces that are sheer self-conscious pageantry. I agree I am a western fan, especially those of Eastwood, Peckinpah and Leone. This movie felt like some egomaniacal actors willing themselves into the genre pantheon with performances and set-pieces that are sheer self-conscious pageantry. I agree that Zellwigger was obnoxious. I can't think of a western that doesn't feel in some way cliched, but this one was cliched and flatter than hammered crap to boot.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
MMOct 12, 2008
Ed Harris' ego trip. Film rips off HIgh Plains Drifter plus sidekick. Renee Zellwegger is expressionless but we root for Jeremy Irons as the bad guy. The script was crying for dialogue. Take the yellow lens off the camera. Lots of Ed Harris' ego trip. Film rips off HIgh Plains Drifter plus sidekick. Renee Zellwegger is expressionless but we root for Jeremy Irons as the bad guy. The script was crying for dialogue. Take the yellow lens off the camera. Lots of missed opprtunities.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
jkDec 21, 2008
Hmmm, it was ok, but seemed to go at a purposely slow pace that seemed contrived.. Sometimes I think Zelwegger (Sp?) is hot, but not here.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
asylumspadezNov 19, 2011
It was a decent film but a little too long for my taste and it didnt help that the movie took a bit to get into and was a bit boring as well. But the acting is good in it. Its ok but i dont know if I would suggest it to anyone.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
TokyochuchuAug 20, 2013
Appaloosa is one of my favorite westerns ever made (along with Unforgiven and Shane). The cinematography is beautiful, the acting is fantastic and the gun-play is exciting. It also has one of the best climactic quick-draws in movie history.Appaloosa is one of my favorite westerns ever made (along with Unforgiven and Shane). The cinematography is beautiful, the acting is fantastic and the gun-play is exciting. It also has one of the best climactic quick-draws in movie history. from start to finish, Appaloosa is western perfection.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
CoreGamer1408Sep 3, 2023
A film that doesn't do anything really that different with the western genre, but maybe add a fem fatale character than men fight for and fight over. I kind of thought was the west really that slim pickings? Maybe for those type of unfeelingA film that doesn't do anything really that different with the western genre, but maybe add a fem fatale character than men fight for and fight over. I kind of thought was the west really that slim pickings? Maybe for those type of unfeeling pragmatic gunslinger type of men it was? Ideal movie to watch on a lazy sunday afternoon for sure.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
amheretojudgeSep 17, 2018
the flips and cheats and tricks..

Appaloosa Appaloosa is a character driven western thriller drama about two soldiers being hired by a small group of town in order to save it from bandits. Harris gets the theme and essense of the westernthe flips and cheats and tricks..

Appaloosa Appaloosa is a character driven western thriller drama about two soldiers being hired by a small group of town in order to save it from bandits. Harris gets the theme and essense of the western genre completely and aptly projects it as an homage of his to those Eastwood classics. And Yes. A Big Yes. It is brimmed with slick one liners, gritty panache and competitive duels, everything that the fan anticipates, gets it on a large scale. The conversations are weaved in brilliantly among the characters that are introduced smoothly as the screenplay enfolds. The narrative is undeniably gripping and strong but unfortunately isn't as layered and thought provoking, in fact the only possible mind game it can and does play, is keeping the crisp alive through uncertainty on all the flips and cheats and tricks. The chemistry between the lead cast is palpable to the environment and well enough to fuel this western buddy cop tale. Mortensen gets a more hyped version but in a subtle manner along with a reserved Harris, competitive and challenging Irons and chirpy Zellweger. The conversations with Zellweger of both Mortensen and Harris's are equally electrifying to encounter. The adaptation by Harris and Knott is gripping and intriguing enough to keep the audience tangled in its dirty bubble. The execution by Harris is appreciative but nothing extraordinary to be in an awe of it; it works good for him, it works good for the audience. The whistle blowing dialogues, competitive arguments, Zellweger's sweet performance and the typical cowboy essence that it offers the viewers are the high points of the feature. Appaloosa works like a charm on context of its insanely rugged bubble but to explore beyond that is moot, for it is a whole field of disappointment and a narrow ideology.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
DawdlingPoetNov 25, 2021
This is quite an atmospheric Western film with some good fight scenes. It has a nice level of tension too - its not action packed from start to end but its hard to tell when things might get 'hairy' again, so it does keep you on your toes asThis is quite an atmospheric Western film with some good fight scenes. It has a nice level of tension too - its not action packed from start to end but its hard to tell when things might get 'hairy' again, so it does keep you on your toes as a viewer somewhat. I liked Renee Zellweger's character, Allison French. I liked that she does her best to stand up for herself when seemingly cornered by cowboys and the like. I imagine it would have been very intimidating. There is a certain sense of mystery present, which intrigued me too. I enjoyed this film and I would recommend it to others.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
stevekmFeb 14, 2023
A wild west movie, probably much closer to how it really was than the John Wayne type westerns. Every movie needs a great bad guy, and this one has it. But we also see the "hero" has his flaws as well. Renee Zellweger portrays the hero'sA wild west movie, probably much closer to how it really was than the John Wayne type westerns. Every movie needs a great bad guy, and this one has it. But we also see the "hero" has his flaws as well. Renee Zellweger portrays the hero's love interest, flawed but lovable. Viggo Mortensen portrays the hero's faithful partner, and much of what we learn comes from their talks together.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
More From This Movie

64 Critic Reviews

6.0 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL