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Cast: Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, Richard Jenkins, Lili Simmons, David Arquette, Sid Haig
When a group of cannibal savages kidnaps settlers from the small town of Bright Hope, an unlikely team of gunslingers, led by Sheriff Franklin Hunt (Kurt Russell), sets out to bring them home. But their enemy is more ruthless than anyone could have imagined, putting their mission – and survival itself – in serious jeopardy. Kurt Russell (The Hateful Eight, Tombstone) leads an all-star cast, including Patrick Wilson (Insidious), Matthew Fox (“Lost”) and Richard Jenkins (The Cabin in the Woods) in this gritty, action-packed thriller chronicling a terrifying rescue mission in the Old West.
"Bone Tomahawk" tells the story of Sheriff Franklin Hunt as he sets out on a rescue mission after a group of cannibals kidnap several citizens of the town, Bright Hope. Franklin isn't alone, he has brought with him three men including the husband of a woman who was taken and a backup deputy.
What a cast, Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, Richard Jenkins, Lili Simmons, David Arquette and Sid Haig. David Arquette and Sid Haig play a couple of murdering thieves who have a run in with the cannibals at the beginning of the film. When Arquette's character, Purvis gets away the cannibals follow him into town and kidnap him, a female doctor and another deputy. Sheriff Hunt has no clue what he and his men are getting themselves into. These are dangerous and brutal flesh-eating maniacs that show no mercy.
I have to admit the trailer didn't really leave me all that excited except for the cast but the film itself was excellent for several reasons. First off I must say that the film is a slow burn, it keeps a nice pace for the most part but there is a lot of talking going on and not much else for a good bit of its run time. This might be a problem for some but it never once bothered me because I loved these wonderful, well developed characters and its smart and at times witty dialogue. The film's four main characters are played by Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox and Richard Jenkins. These are the four actors you see the most in the film and they are all amazing. Kurt Russell is his usual perfect self as the Sheriff, Patrick Wilson is also very good as the husband of the woman who was kidnaped. He is determined to go on the journey even though he has a broken leg and is risking losing it. Matthew Fox plays a cocky gunslinger who you will not be all that crazy about and then there is Richard Jenkings as Chicory, the old man the Sheriff has made backup deputy. Jenkings to me is one of Hollywood's best and most under rated actors and he really really shines here. He supplies most of the film's humor and he really steals the show every time he opens his mouth. This is a performance that needs to win some kind of award.
"Bone Tomahawk" is a good old fashion western and a bit of horror like "Hills have Eyes" and "Wrong Turn." It is a funny, dramatic and brutally violent film that hits most of the right notes. Credit has to go to Writer/Director, S. Craig Zahler, he has made a fantastic piece of cinema in his directorial debut. I look forward to seeing what this talented film maker does next.
Production wise the film looks great, as a western the scenery is gorgeous to look at. At times it's like the scenery is a character all by itself. If I had to point out one flaw the film had it might be some uneven pacing, this might me a problem for some people but it was never an issue for me because the characters kept me engaged the entire time.
I loved so many things about the film including its amazing characters, its wit, its Cringe-Inducing violence and its stellar cast that really delivers. Not only is it one of the most original westerns I have seen but one of the best films I have seen in a while as well. "Bone Tomahawk" will be on VOD and in theaters on 10/23 so do not miss checking it out.
Released by RLJ Entertainment
**** Out Of *****