Last Man Standing [DVD]

Last Man Standing is directed by Walter Hill who also adapts the screenplay from a story written by Ryûzô Kikushima and Akira Kurosawa. It stars Bruce Willis, Bruce Dern, William Sanderson, Christopher Walken, David Patrick Kelly, Karina Lombard and Ned Eisenberg. Music is by Ry Cooder and cinematography by Lloyd Ahern.Walter Hill's variant on Yojimbo, plot basically sees Willis as drifter John Smith, who after arriving in the dusty town of Jericho, promptly sets about making some serious cash by playing the town's two gangs off against each other. Smith is one tough hombre, a deadly pistoleer who has a fear of nothing, which is why the two respective gang leaders want him to work for them. Noses get put out of joint, blood flows, scores settled and a anti-hero is born, complete with permanent scowl and dry narration.The look and sound is terrific, Cooder's pessimistic twangs are all over the plot, while the visuals dovetail between sun-baked landscapes and the misty lensed ghost town of Jericho. Hill brings his trademark stylish violence into play, with slow-mos and rapid fire shoot-outs impressive, while his skill at creating an antique atmosphere is very much in evidence. Unfortunately the narrative isn't up to much, it lacks scope and characters merely exist, making this very much a style over substance exercise. It also means that much of the cast are given only morsels to feed on. A shame when you got Walken and Kelly on overdrive when on screen.It's an odd blend of a Western with Prohibition Noir characters, but it's unmistakably a Walter Hill film. For his fans there's enough to like about it whilst accepting it's a bit of a throwaway on the page. For the casual crime/action film fan, however, it's likely to be much ado about nothing. 7/10

Love this movie it's good old gangsters school. Bruce Willis as a great role and Christopher Walken too. Both the image and sound are great and there are various subtitles. But besides a trailer there are no extras not even a director's commentary. It's a shame i would love if they have included at least the making of. But respecting the picture and sound quality it's a good edition. The only reason i rated it four stars it's because of the lack of extras... I just wish they added more extras on this edition.

Love it

Hugely entertaining and stylish; this latter-day western might've been filmed 20 years ago but it's still a really enjoyable romp.Both Bruce Willis and Christopher Walken turn in their typical, quirky, charismatic performances in a film which aims a little higher than the average shoot 'em up. Set in prohibition-era West Texas, Last Man Standing has the atmosphere of pulp fiction gumshoe hardboiled noir - and the sardonic, stylised voice-over to match. It blends tommy guns and gangster action with all the cliches of a traditional western, from the corrupt sheriff to the hooker with a heart, to the damsel in distress, to the run-down shanty town with its whiskey-soaked low-lives, dusty sidewalks, a well-equipped undertaker and tumbleweeds blowing by.Last Man Standing neatly nods to every tradition without over-stepping the mark into pastiche or comedy. It delivers action and performances which feel fresh today. And Walken was perfectly cast as the shark-eyed psycho killer...8/10

People keep seeing this as a remake of Fistfull of Dollars. This is to completely undervalue this film. Masterpiece doesn't fall off my lips too often but this is close.This is a complete re-imagining of the story. The mood is darker . The ghosts of Humphrey Bogart and jimmy Cagney hover over this film. The mood is menacing in a way Leone wasn't. Willis and Eastwood are different but neither is better. The story evolves around Willis rather than centreing on his character. The mystey around him - the man with no name - has more point and actually makes you think about who he is.The film is very red. There is lack of blue in the photography , favouring red , which creates an unsettling effect. The music adds to this.I now think this film is better than Fistful. In fact I would say this is a special film

Ok, So this won't be everyone's cup of tea but if you like ridiculous action and not much in the way of long winded unnecessary chat by the actors then this is for you. Bruce maybe a little over the top in - says little, kills a lot mode but if you leave your brain at the door and enjoy it for the hick town in the middle of nowhere, all guns blazing, corny one-liners (typical Bruce Willis actually) bad guys get their comeuppance that it is, then you'll like it. Not too hard on the grey matter and you don't have to think too deeply about the meaning of the film or even how Brucie came to be there or why - to enjoy it. Think of it as a 1920's version of the first Die Hard movie and you're half way there.

All reviews for this say its rubbish and it probably is.......but I don't know I just love it to be fair I've never seen it sober so.....

It's good for me thanks u for it & good film to watch thanks u for it