Comanche Moon (2008)

Wow, this one was a flop...

I've followed both the book and made-for-TV series for quite a while. While I believe the novel Comanche Moon was a pretty decent read, this movie adaptation is the worst of the Lonesome Dove series.

Zahn did a decent job as Gus McRae (you can tell he had studied Duvall's portrayal of the character and tried to get down the technique, and while not perfect, it wasn't bad) - but most of the other actors literally sounded like they were reading right from the script. Urban was really a terrible W.F.Call, and while I thought West Studi was good as Famous Shoes in Streets of Laredo, he didn't seem to fit the role of Buffalo Hump in this one, not at all. Val Kilmer was absolutely awful as Inish Scull. Instead of giving the impression he was a tough, if slightly eccentric Yankee-in-Texas, he came across as a clown.

I noticed Halmark/Artisan didn't produce this one as they did the others in the series (which were all better - I'd rank them in this order as the best to least: Lonesome Dove, Streets of Laredo, Dead Man's Walk) and I don't know if that had something to do with it, but this was pretty bad. I'm not even comparing it to Lonesome Dove other than to say Zahn did a decent job of learning Duvall's mannerisms for McRae, but even as a stand alone Western this one just felt cheap and looked cheap. Almost no one seemed to have really gotten into acting their characters and it shows.



July 6, 2008

Another great McMurtry book-another good picture

Well,it will allways be pretty hard to fill ''lonersome dove's'' shoes,as far as both literature and filming the book are concerned...both,the author himself,and the filmmakers seemed to do a great job anytime they choosed to do a sequel on the genuine article;''COMANCHE MOON'' is no exception...great book,outstanding picture...Both,Steve Zahn and Carl Urban are more than convincing in playing two of allready classic western characters,McRae and Call...as a matter of fact one can see a lot of Robert Duvall in Zann's acting,and I couldn't imagine a younger Captain Call than the one played by Carl Urban...As for Val Kilmer as Inish Scull...well,that's a sight to behold!What can I say more?Read the book first,or watch only the film,all the same,it's a must for every western fan! June 20, 2008

Good, but way too many unnecessary talky scenes

A story of early Texas when the now great city of Austin was just a small frontier town. The story concerns a group of Texas Rangers who are periodically sent out to catch bandits and run various errands for the governor. Their long absences take a toll on their personal relationships in Austin, particularly when the town is attacked by Comanches and one of the Ranger wives is sexually assaulted and loses her unborn baby. Other characters include hostile (with good reason), horse-thieving Comanches, a Kickapoo tracker who helps the Rangers, the odd Captain Scull, and his scary "she-bear" of a wife, Inez. Sometimes I grew a little restless with the excessive amount of talky scenes in this series. Some additional editing was needed. But the acting was very good and the story was interesting. I liked the fact that the Indians spoke in their native tongue with subtitles (nice BIG YELLOW subtitles!!). There is lots of beautiful desert and plains scenery lit up with the brilliant blue skies and the bright, bright southwestern sunshine. June 8, 2008

Excellent!

This mini series did not disappoint. The acting was excellent. Steve Zahn captured Gus perfectly, even using similar affectations of Robert Duval, who played Gus in Lonesome Dove. Val Kilmer gave a fearless performance of Captain Skull which was spot on from the character portrayed in the book. The supporting cast was equally as good, the direction excellent and the story well paced and interesting.

I find it intriging the way Larry McMurtry portrays women in his novels. Strong,brave and vulnerable, living a life that gives them so few choices. They really can't count on the crusty and sometimes invulnerable men they fall in love with so they make do with eachother's help.

This movie is one for everyone who loves a good western. Thank you Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana for another great screenplay. I am eagerly awaiting Boone's Lick to be made into a movie and I think the Berrybender series would also do well. May 26, 2008

Lonesome Dove series ( the missing link)

I have been a great fan of the (Lonsome Dove Series) unfortunatley never shown in Australia but found Comanche Moon completed the series. The best Westen Series ever Malcolm Innes Australia. Real Name. May 16, 2008

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