Movie Review: The Unholy Trinity

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

An excellent old school western. 

Though I often agree with critics, there are times when I simply don't know where they are coming from. This is one of those times. While the basic storyline of revenge, lust for gold and legacies built on lies may be nothing new or groundbreaking for this genre, this a solid and very entertaining western. There are no big twists here and what you see on the surface is exactly what the film delivers. However, sometimes a simple story, well told is all you need from a western. This movie tells its story very well. The basic story may be familiar but there is a reason for that. It is a good story, and I felt myself invested from the very start. The characters are great. They may not be especially complex and your first impressions, pretty much say everything about them but you like or hate (depending on if they are a good or bad guy first) these characters and truly care about what happens. The performances from the three leads (Pierce Brosnan, Samuel L. Jackson, Brandon Lessard) are all quite good. Brosnan is great as the sheriff bringing some great humanity and power to what could have been your typical western role. He also fits perfectly in this western setting, and I would love to see him in more westerns in the future. Young Brandon Lessard holds his own with the bigger name cast. However, it is Samuel L. Jackson, who runs away with the film. He is simply enjoying playing a character who is pure evil and loves every minute of it. It is obvious that Jackson enjoyed himself, just as much as the character enjoys the violence he creates around him. This makes for a dynamic performance that even those who don't like the film have to appreciate. The filmmaking may not show off, but it delivers exactly what one would want from the film. In the tradition of John Ford and other classic western directors, the location shooting in Montana is absolutely beautiful to look at. The action scenes are also very well done, feeling appropriately tense and exciting. Meanwhile at only a little over 90 minutes, the movie is engrossing for its whole runtime. 

However, I admit that the familiarity of this film, makes it hard for the movie to stand out among so many similar westerns. 

With westerns coming out less and less today to have one as well made and engrossing as this come out is a pure delight.