Critic's Grade: A-

Kevin Costner makes a well deserved comeback with "Open Range," a western that brings new meaning to the near-extinct genre.

Set back in the mid 1800s, Robert Duvall stars as Boss Spearman, an outlander who drives cattle through the lands so they can graze and use up the land's resources. Spearman travels with his long-time friend, Charley Waite (Kevin Costner), who is having trouble getting rid of his haunted past. The two also travel with a large, stocky fellow named Mose (Abraham Benrubi) and a seemingly worthless Texican teenager known only as Button (Diego Luna). When the free-grazers get near a small town, they find that their cattle and their lives are in danger. After an attack that kills Mose and severely injures Button, Charley and Boss Spearman make their way into town, where they befriend a doctor and his sister, Sue (Annette Bening). Immediately, Charley takes a liking to Sue, who seems a bit weary about the two free-grazers and their purpose for visiting the town. Unfortunately, they have come to get revenge on the sheriff (James Russo) and on a land lord named Baxter (Michael Gambon). While the town doesn't want any bloodshed, several of the citizens band together to fight off Baxter and his men, and the romance between Charley and Sue escalates. Soon, the war to take bake the town is fought, but for what purpose?

"Open Range" gets off to a very slow start. The first few scenes are filled with rain and poor dialogue, which is very mind-numbing. However, once Charley and Boss Spearman make their way into the town, the movie picks up and moves along very quickly. The last fifteen minutes are filled to the top in bloodshed and mayhem, which are typical to the average western. The set designs and costumes make the movie. While the year is never truly revealed, I can only guess the movie took place during the mid to late 1800s. As for the acting, Robert Duvall and Annette Bening steal the show. Kevin Costner seems to be there just for a name's sake.

While it has been years since a true western has hit the theaters, "Open Range" makes up for the gap in time. While it is very mediocre compared to other outstanding features like "Unforgiven" or "Dances With Wolves," "Open Range" is a movie worth seeing. If Kevin Costner expects any Oscar consideration, I'd have to say Duvall, Bening and the screenplay deserve a nod. "Open Range" is a well-done movie worth the money at the box office.

My Score: 8 (out of 10)

All Reviews by Jordan Boyd
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