The Quick and the Dead

Starring: Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman
Director: Sam Raimi
Genre: Western
Year: 1995
Rating: 4 / 5

When most movie fans think of the classic western, they conjure up images of Gary Cooper, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood. Figures like these three, and others of their generations, helped define this film genre, and they will always be remembered as pioneers in this realm. Yet the western had been practically dead for nearly twenty years when director Sam Raimi released The Quick and the Dead, a western for the X Generation. In much the same vein as Tombstone two years prior, The Quick and the Dead is a modern take on a classic story, complete with enough gunplay and witty dialogue to keep today's fickle movie fan entertained. And, where Sam Raimi is concerned, fans are almost always entertained.

On the eve of a lucrative gunslinger tournament, a mysterious stranger (Sharon Stone) strolls into a secluded, dust-ridden town. The town's sheriff, Herod (Gene Hackman), keeps peace in town - for a price. The tournament is his idea, and he is even supplying the pot, which is well in excess of $100,000. Anyone can enter this single-elimination tournament, and all challenges must be answered. The winner is the last man standing, and he collects all the winnings. Yet things begin to take a downward turn when fights until submission turn into fights until the death.

The stranger, Ellen, is one of the entrants into this contest, though her agenda remains a secret to all her opponents. A less willing entrant is Cord (Russell Crowe), a reformed gunfighter who is now a preacher. A former riding buddy of Herod's, Cord is throw into the tournament against his will, and he soon finds himself fighting his opponents as well as his own inner demons. The Kid (Leonardo DiCaprio), however, is a little more eager to fight. This is his chance to shine, to play to the crowds, and, most importantly, to win the respect of one man - Herod. Whatever their motivations, though, this tournament can have only one winner…

Sam Raimi (Army of Darkness) is at it again in The Quick and the Dead, delivering the sort of offbeat humor that his fans have come to expect. Sharon Stone takes on the Clint Eastwood role of the dark, brooding gunfighter, and she does so with quite a bit of light-hearted bravado. Gene Hackman shines, as always, playing the sophisticated, albeit ruthless, dictator of the small town. The cast of gunfighters might be the most impressive part of film, however. In addition to Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio, veterans Lance Henriksen, Kieth David, and Kevin Conway parade in and out of the film, each portraying a cocky shooter that knows his trade. It all adds up to a dire situation for our hero, as she is left to ask her opponents: Are you quick enough?

Cast:

Sharon Stone..........	Ellen
Gene Hackman..........	Herod
Russell Crowe..........	Cort
Leonardo DiCaprio..........	Kid

Certification: Rated R.
Running Time: 105 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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