YOUNG GUNS 2

Audiences who liked the original, Young Guns, will like this sequel. It is more of the same: a grimy, dusty West, cattle wars, outlaws, gun violence.

Emilio Estevez seems less over the top manic than originally as Billiy the Kid. William Petersen creates an interestingly ambiguous Pat Garrett.

Whether Young Guns will revive interest in the western is not certain. It portrays the down side, the mix of legend and ugly facts. Direction is by New Zealander, Geoff Murphy (Utu, Quiet Earth. This is facts and legends in a grimy West.

1. The original film and its success? The story of Billy the kid, of gangs, of law and outlaws? The praise for this sequel? More about Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett?

2. The location photography, the West, terrains, towns, cattle spreads? The world of outlaws? The world of the law, of government? The musical score and songs?

3. Audience knowledge of Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett? Facts, legends, the range of movies about them?

4. The old man, story, claims, wanting pardon?

5. Billy the Kid, Fort Sumpter, his reputation, the cowboy, Tunstall’s death, Chisholm and his reaction, the government intervening, Pat Garrett and his relationship with Billy? Garrett accepting the job, the price, the pursuit? Billy and his friends, as a gang of Young Guns, his relationship with each of them, the newcomers, with Doc, the death of Bollinger? His being an outlaw, his death?

6. Doc, as a person, friend, the group, the variety of characters, relationship with Billy, with each other, riding together?

7. Chisholm, the land, his ownership, partner, attitude towards Billy, hiring Garrett?

8. Garrett as a character, with Billy, with Chisholm, with the Governor? Given an opportunity, his decision, riding, pursuit of Billy?

9. The bordello, its burning?

10. The legends of Billy the Kid – and this film as a contribution?