The Border: A Visually Stunning Western That Falls Flat

Westerns have been slowly fading away from our screens. Clint Eastwood's getting older, and with him, the era of westerns is disappearing. Quentin Tarantino's recent attempts at reviving the genre with 'Django Unchained' and 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' are more bloody spectacles than anything else. The classic westerns have all but vanished. The Wild West's romance, freedom, and adventure have become a distant memory. So, when I heard about the new American western 'The Border' hitting the screens, I was genuinely stoked. But, reality had other plans.

The film starts with a bang - literally. Three unknown individuals brutally murder a young man who's stopped for the night in a prairie. It's not just a murder, but a gruesome one. The authors immediately drop a hint of intrigue, leaving you wondering who this guy is, what he was doing in Apache territory, why he was so easily caught off guard, and why he was killed so brutally. You're left with more questions than answers, and you're expecting the rest of the story to fill in the gaps.

But, the narrative takes a sharp turn two years into the past. A former soldier turned mercenary, Merrick Backford, is approached by an American major with a mission to transport medicine to a town called San Carlos, which is plagued by an epidemic. The problem is that the journey takes him through Apache territory, and it's a death sentence. The major appeals to Backford's sense of humanity, and he agrees to take on the mission, despite being a mercenary and not being offered any reward. That's what makes him a bit of an anti-hero.

Backford gets into a heavily loaded wagon and sets off on his perilous journey. As he travels through the vast, open plains, he comes across a ravaged wagon, courtesy of the Apaches, with five survivors left - one woman and one wounded man. Before they were attacked, these people were headed in the opposite direction of mine, but with no horses, no water, and a wounded man, they had to ask for my help to get to a nearby water source. We set up camp, and that's where the rest of the movie's events unfold - including the thrilling conclusion. Let's just say you'll want to stick around until the end.

One thing that really stands out about this film is its visuals. The cinematography is top-notch, with a western aesthetic that's spot on. Even the added details like tarantulas and snakes add to the immersive experience. And the soundtrack? Absolutely phenomenal.

The casting is spot on, with actors that look like they belong in the Wild West. Their performances are convincing, making it easy to get invested in the story. The marketing team did a great job of making this film look appealing, but that's where the magic ends. The actual story is a mess. It's like they took a bunch of random scenes and strung them together without any real direction. I'm not even going to get into the plot holes and illogical character actions. Watching this film felt like a complete waste of time - almost 2 hours. What really stood out to me was how much they focused on showcasing actor Miles Cloeissy - I mean, he's in almost every scene, and it feels like they're trying to make him look as cool as possible. The whole film is basically just a showcase of his acting skills, but without any real substance. If you're just looking for a visually appealing film, you might enjoy it, but if you want a story with some depth, you'll likely be disappointed. I definitely wasn't impressed.

Westerns have been a staple of American cinema for decades, but with the decline of the genre, it's refreshing to see a new take on the classic theme. However, 'The Border' falls short in its execution. The film's narrative is disjointed, and the characters feel more like caricatures than fully fleshed-out people. The cinematography is stunning, but it's not enough to save the film from its overall lack of coherence. If you're a fan of westerns, you might want to give 'The Border' a chance, but be prepared for a disjointed and often confusing viewing experience.

For me, the film's biggest problem is its inability to balance action and drama. The action scenes are intense and well-choreographed, but they feel disconnected from the rest of the story. The drama, on the other hand, is underdeveloped and often feels like an afterthought. The characters' motivations are unclear, and their actions are often illogical. The film's pacing is also a problem, with long stretches of boring exposition that do little to advance the plot.

In the end, 'The Border' is a visually stunning but narratively flawed western. While it has its moments, the film's disjointed narrative and underdeveloped characters make it a disappointing viewing experience. If you're a fan of westerns, you might want to give it a chance, but be prepared for a confusing and often frustrating ride.