Too much of everything

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

I'm basically trawling through all the good movies I've seen, because nothing new appeals at all. This film is like Aliens and probably one of the reasons we never get offered something new to watch. Why is it so good, consider the fact there's few supporting actors, the cast are stars in their own right.The story is entertaining even if total nonsense, all legends are and Billy the kid became one. I do like the way the kid is portrayed as many who knew him stated. Angry / violent / vicious, or as we say now, a psychopath.

Young Guns II has very quickly become one of my all-time favorite westerns, even slightly surpassing Tombstone. Gasp! But I'm telling you, this absurdly entertaining sequel has it all and then some. Any issues I had with the first film, and there were a few, are completely corrected with this entry. In fact, I couldn't think of a single thing to complain about here. It's about as perfect and awesome as a western could possibly get, and I know, that's a bold statement, but holy smokes this was fun.Released just 2 years after the classic original, this film picks up years after the events of the first film, where Doc (Keifer Sutherland) has moved on and tried to put The Regulators behind him, while Billy (Emilio Estevez) continues his exploits and has a few new members of the group along for the ride. When the governor puts a bounty on Billy's head, he recruits former Regulators member and friend of Billy's, Pat Garrett (William Peterson) to bring him in.Much like the first film, this one is filled to the bring with an insanely excellent cast in both the large ensemble as well as nearly all of the bit background players. If you're anywhere near my age (41), you'll spend a good portion of the film pointing out nearly every single notable actor and what you remember them from, no matter how small or insignificant their roles are in here, because to us, they're classic character actors and we've seen them dozens of times in some of our favorite films. And it's a blast seeing them all together in this film that never ceases to constantly surprise and entertain.New Zealand director Geoff Murphy, whose most notable screen credit prior to this was the TV Movie The Quiet Earth, absolutely blows this one out of the water and completely stunned me with how beautiful and stylish this was, even for a western. Together with legendary DoP Dean Semler, these two create some truly stunning camera-work and imagery. Each shot was such a composition of precision and grace, constantly wowing me. While there are other great notable visually stunning westerns out there like High Planes Drifter, Dances With Wolves, Unforgiven and Tombstone, all of which I love, I personally feel that the work done here far exceeded my expectations and deliver (for me) the kind of visual experience I crave for these kinds of films.I've always been a fan of Murphy, often considering him a vastly underrated director. I remember when Freejack first came out in 1992 and being in my early 20's and just loving his specific style in the way he directed. It reminded me a lot of Peter Hyams, and even Kathryn Bigelow. I loved it. And I have to say that his work here impresses me more than in any other film I've seen of his. In fact, this is making me itch to revisit both Freejack and Under Siege 2. Because of this film, I immediately just pulled the trigger and finally ordered another western he made a few years later, The Last Outlaw with Mickey Rourke for HBO. Needless to say, I'm pretty stoked for that one. While I enjoyed Young Guns, I absolutely LOVED Young Guns II. It's just a better film all around, all tied together by Emilio Estevez' legendary portrayal of Billy The Kid. And as great as nearly every single aspect of this production is from the direction, to the writing, ensemble casting, cinematography and Alan Silvestri's thunderous (now iconic) score, it's really Estevez' performance that seals the deal. Even though I'd seen this several times before, I was just as enthralled this time, if not more, by his highly charming portrayal and infectious laughter. And it really is just a helluva good time from start to finish, maintaining a pleasant pace and vibe throughout. It's also a surprisingly macho film, with it's Bon Jovi title track and Alan Silvestri's retro-cool score punching your eardrums nearly every second. And let's not forget the legend that is William Peterson (Manhunter, To Live and Die in L.A.), killing it here as the legendary Pat Garrett. Seriously, I have a man-crush for the guy. I can go on and on about how great this often forgotten western is, but I think it's best for you to discover, or rediscover that for yourself. www.robotGEEKSCultCinema.com

After the end of the Lincoln County War a new governor comes to town - one gen. Lee Wallace. He is here to bring order back to the region and plans on doing so by hanging whoever was connected to the war (nevermind what history tells us). Amongst those captured are Doc Scurlock (Kiefer Sutherland) and Chavez y Chavez (Lou Diamond Phillips). Meanwhile Billy the Kid (Emilio Estevez) is roaming the state rustling and hustling. Even tries to get pardon from the new governor, only to be tricked and put in jail. Billy soon manages to escape and breaks out his old pals with him. Together with some new pals like Arkansas Dave (Christian Slater) and Hendry William French (Alan Ruck) the come back as the scourge of Lincoln County. But this time a former friend and ally Pat Garrett is hired as the new sheriff...When taking on this movie Emilio Estevez stated it would be closer to historical fact and more gritty. And I would have to say he lied. As far as the original part took some historical liberties this one just rapes them. Naturally some of the changes made in the first part had repercussions in the follow-up (like the death of Charles Bowdre), but I find no logic behind recasting Sutherland and Phillips in the follow-up and even less in them being killed off (given that both Chavez and Scurlock actually had relatively long lives for gunslingers).The main problem with the movie isn't however the history, but the general tone, which basically attempts to make a cool western. Characters are supposed to be savvy, funny and fun, while none of the grit of western movies makes it to the forefront. The whole Billy the Kid character is very poorly thought out by Estevez and his portrayal is one of the weakest. The movie (as in the first part) lacks heart and plods out from beginning to end with no real attempt to entice and engage. The biggest flaw is the lack of a proper counterpoint to Billy's character, someone who would put sense to his actions. There are a few brief scenes, which attempt to do this, but neither Pat Garrett or Doc Scurlock are given good enough lines to actually be able to pull it off. Instead the scenes just dissipate without any dramatic consequence.Given that the action is also not worth of any note it is not surprising that the movie has not stood the test of time and is slowing dropping into oblivion. Nonetheless the movie does have a brilliant score, although I did find myself wondering at times if it actually fits a western.

Young Guns 2: Part 2, is as much an ensemble piece as the first film was. Survivors from the first film (Shat Pack favourites- Charlie 'Mr' Sheen, Ann Diamond Phillips, Emilio 'I wish I was Michael J Fox' Extevez, and Keifer 'Lost Boy' Southland) come together again with a host of new pups including Jonathan Bon Jovi, Chuck Norris, Muslim Slater, and Conrad Dorito. The plot follows the gang coming together again after the exploits of the first film- they have all been on the run from legendary law man Wyatt Ear who believes they are responsible for several murders and atrocities. Since the first film most have gone their separate ways. Billy The Boy has been rampaging through Texas robbing from the rich and giving to the poor, then killing the poor, and eating the rich. Doc has been on holiday in Mexico, has got himself a gal and spends his days making poetry, his night making sweet love. Neil Diamond Philips has been off on some sort of Spirit Guide affair, finding his inner Peyote and living in peace. They realise though that White Herpy is getting close and absolutely will not stop, ever, until they are dead. Or arrested. They need to ride once more, not Runaway, they may go down in a Blaze of Glory, but at least Someday they'll be Saturday night.This film is basically a remake of the first, albeit with a new plot and characters. It teaches you a lot about the Cowboys that used to roam about England before it was renamed America. There are shoot outs, drinking, women, and horses- everything you would expect in a good Western/Blue movie. We learn that Jimmy The Kid is actually one of the few remaining Demi-Mortals- humans who age anything from 2 to ten times slower than the rest of us. Whether or not this has been proved to be historically true is open for debate as no body was ever found and some claim to see him giggling and jumping through their wheat fields at night while they sit on their porch rocking chair sipping Sasparella.Best Scene: When they are trapped with their backs to the wall and decide to charge out firing their guns in slow motion as the picture fades to sepia, and Living On A Prayer plays in the background. It makes me wish I was a Cowman and roam the desert shooting hippies!