WILD, WILD WEST
US, 1999, 106 minutes, Colour.
Will Smith, Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Salma Hayek, M. Emmett Walsh, Ted Levine.
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.
Wild, Wild West is Barry Sonnenfeld's follow-up to his mammoth success with Men in Black. He employs, once again, Will Smith as the smart-talking star. This time the villain is a moustache-twirling Kenneth Branagh, who has the opportunity to do all kinds of old-fashioned villainy and drive the most extraordinary flying machines. Smith, however, is aided in his pursuit of evil by a comic Kevin Kline.
The film has images of the wild west - but is more interested in the heroics, the far-fetched machines, the comedy with the touches of slapstick. In this sense it does not always work. Sonnenfeld has shown that he was skilled in making enjoyable films as the two Addams Family films as well as Get Shorty. He was to go on to success, once again, with Men in Black 2.
1.An entertainment? A homage to the westerns? Homage to the original television series? Parody? Updated to the '90s sensibility?
2.The popularity of the TV program, the Wild West, the Jules Verne overtones? Transplanted to the response of the '90s: plots, characters, the stars, the comedy, the science fantasy, the music, the Rap?
3.The use of wide screen and desert locations, the 19th century towns? The special effects: the train, explosions, the giant tarantula inside and outside? Its destructiveness?
4.The musical score, style, songs, Rap?
5.Will Smith as Jim West, his screen presence and reputation? In bed with the girl, the killers and their attack, the water falling, the shootout? No explanation given of his being a black officer in the West? The lack of 19th century plausibility - but the 20th century hero? The saloon, at work, the encounter with Artemus and his being disguised? The clashes? The chasing of General McGrath? Both going to Washington, Kevin Kline and his pretending to be President Grant and the interview with Jim?
6.The initial killing, the scientists and their disappearing, pursuit by the giant disc? The science fantasy overtones and the mystery of the disappearing scientists?
7.The conspiracy and Loveless, his being injured in the war, lacking his legs? His glamorous women assistants? Rita and her being a hostage? The scientists and their research? Loveless and his desire for power? The range of jokes about limbless people - funny, taste?
8.The partnership between West and Artemus? Their clashes, the treatment by President Grant? On the train, Rita and her presence and their wanting her away - each attracted to her, her attraction to Jim and not to Artemus? The train driver - and the irony that he was an agent? The joke about gay themes? The stopping of the train and the destruction?
9.Artemus and his ability at disguise? The comedy sequences? The infiltrating of the Louisiana party, the race remarks, rednecks? West and his being mistaken about Artemus and his disguise and the artificial breasts? The confrontation with General Mc Grath and his death? The story of General Mc Grath, Loveless's tank, the destruction of the black population - and Jim's relatives?
10.Artemus and Jim stranded in the desert, following the tracks, using their ingenuity? The discovery of the enormous giant tarantula and its effect? West and his confrontation with Loveless? The physical fight, the banter? President Grant and the threat?
11.Loveless, his character, Kenneth Branagh and his comic style, accent, ruthlessness, jokes? The confrontation with the two agents? The fight with West - and his ultimate defeat?
12.The end of the adventure, Rita and her being reunited with her husband? President Grant and his response to the situation, Jim and Artemus becoming the first secret agents?
13.The wit and witlessness of the screenplay, of the characters? The clever parody? The flamboyant and extravagant style? The ingredients for a box-office entertainment?
