Watch In a Valley of Violence For Free

Sadly Over-hyped

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

Vastly overwritten - one of the hazards of a writer/director - and, in this case - editor, too. Oh dear... With three individuals with three different perspective, it could have been rather better.The score by Jeff Grace, although excellent in places, doesn't know if it wants to be a western or a spaghetti western (overtly Morricone) and gives conflicting messages. The movie is not quite a spaghetti western although, with a few tweaks, it could have been. Some of the scenes with SW music cues play against the on-screen action and invite a sardonic comedy perspective which isn't really justified.Some scenes are comedic although more in the style of slapstick than dark SW humour and, really, not needed.As the movie progresses, the music becomes increasingly SW and the theme of revenge - one of my absolute favourites! - comes well to the fore.But who ever heard of a 'man with no name' called Paul? Oh dear... And the town only seems to have eight inhabitants.Ethan Hawke is excellent but not quite Clint. John Travolta has lost some weight and must be desperate for parts although perhaps the script looked better than the end result.Star of the show, apart from the dog, is Taissa Farmiga who has a wonderful part and plays it well.In all, this is a nice, easy-to-watch action western. Switch off all critical facilities (and tell me how to do that!) and you'll enjoy it, but it falls needlessly short of being really great.

In a valley of violence On face value this movie appears to be nothing more than another run of the mill western. However it soon becomes apparent that director Ti West's venture into the Wild West is much more. A rather surreal affair where characters do not act or behave like people usually do in this genre. There's a mild dose of wacky humour that is some times jarring but ultimately compels the audience to keep watching. Much of the humour works and is welcome but some of it falls flat. You can almost see the tumble weed roll by.In a valley of violence could be considered to be a loose retelling of John Wick with influences of First Blood thrown into the mix. Ex soldier wanders the land with his trusty and rather talented dog. He's turned his back on all the killing only to stumble upon the town of Denton. Here he falls foul of the marshals deputy and yes you've guessed it they snuff the poor pooch. Violence then ensues. There's some wonderful performances here. Particularly from John Travolta as the towns Marshal. He has some hilarious lines that are delivered effectively in a way only he can. Ethan Hawke is superb as the troubled hero but it's his dog Abby that steals the show. One scene that springs to mind with a blanket will melt the audiences heart. Support is strong throughout, however it is here where some of the characters behaviour is most jarring. The two girls who run the hotel seem out of place as does James Ransones character Gilly. This is not a criticism as their odd demeanour adds to the films intrigue.I commented recently when reviewing Jane got a gun that movies of this genre are becoming few and far between. So it's refreshing when a movie like this decides to honour movies of the past but yet dares to have its own unique vibe. There is plenty a nod to the greats of the genre. The opening credits and score being the most obvious.I was pleasantly surprised by this film and I don't believe it gets the recognition it deserves.

This film is ostensibly a "western." But it is more than that.For starters, it isn't a modern version of a western, but instead is more akin to the old spaghetti westerns. The music, the sets, the graphics, etc., are both an homage to spaghetti westerns and a humorous take-off on them.The plot is one you have seen in many westerns. A drifter comes into a small town that is controlled by a psychopath, conflict ensues, and there is a gun battle where the drifter "saves" the town.On one level that is all this is. On another, it is a wry, and dry, take-off on this old, familiar tale because in this film the drifter doesn't go after the town bullies to liberate the town but because they killed his dog.That's right. This is a film where the battle-hardened, killer hero is mush when his dog is killed. He cries.So, right there, you don't have a traditional western or a traditional spaghetti western. In NO OTHER western I have ever seen (hundreds, as I am a die-hard fan) has the hero ever cried. Even Nathan Brittles wasn't crying in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon when he went to his wife's grave.This guy cries and then exacts his revenge.Now, Ethan Hawk is great in this. Just a week earlier we had seen the (dreadful) remake of The Magnificent Seven, which he is also in. However, this film, In a Valley of Violence, is far superior. In Mag 7 II, the town "bully" has hundreds of hired gunmen, all of whom meet their deaths in about 20 minutes. It is so absurd as to be ridiculous.In Valley, there are 4, maybe 5, and none of them are even close to competent, or even scary. There is a bully, his dad, and three guys who just needed a job because they couldn't do anything else.And the gun battle is hilarious. You realize, while watching this film, that you have been had. It starts off to be a standard western, and slowly evolves into rib splitting humor as you watch the gun "battle" unfold. The dialogue is clever. And the humor doesn't beat you over the head. In fact, it is understated, which makes it even better.We enjoyed this film. We will watch it again. Just give it a chance. It will be especially rewarding for people who have a history with old-fashioned westerns, as it is a wry, dry take-off on them that pounds you with subtlety and intelligent humor.Enjoy, pilgrim!

The half half has some promise.It just gets a little boring after awhile.There's little character development from the main character. The act of revenge and execution is not stylish enough. And the jokes are not funny enough and seem in odd places. I can see that is a very low budget movie with so few extras in the town.3/10.