As a longtime fan of the Old West and the final frontier, I find it delightful to explore the intersection of these two seemingly disparate worlds – the dusty trails of the American Southwest and the vast expanses of outer space. The shows and movies that manage to seamlessly blend these genres are truly a treat for my eyes and mind.
The Western genre encompasses a wide range of stories, yet it shares several distinctive traits. Typically, these narratives explore complex moral dilemmas faced by characters living in unforgiving environments, who often resort to extreme measures just to stay alive. Often, these protagonists are solitary figures or part of disorganized groups. A recurring theme is the struggle between law and chaos, with numerous tales centering on outlaws evading capture by sheriffs and bounty hunters. The setting is another crucial element in Westerns, as the genre is closely associated with stunning landscapes and expansive vistas.
Although Westerns may not be as prevalent today as they once were during Hollywood’s golden age in the early-to-mid 20th century, they have consistently influenced filmmakers across various genres. The themes and iconic imagery associated with the Old West can be found in a wide range of films, including those set in modern or futuristic times. In this discussion, we will focus on such movies.
For the purpose of this study, we will concentrate on movies that do not follow the Old West genre, such as “Cowboys & Aliens,” “Ravenous,” and “The Burrowers.” Although these films contain elements of horror and sci-fi, they still share commonalities with traditional Westerns in terms of their time periods, settings, and narratives about cowboys, soldiers, and settlers. However, the horse opera aspect is more subtle in them. Instead, we will explore movies that might not seem like Westerns at first glance but reveal themselves to be so upon closer inspection. Let’s get started without any further delay; let’s take a look at some of the finest examples.
Mad Max: Fury Road is a Western on wheels
George Miller’s “Mad Max: Fury Road” is often considered one of the best action movies ever made, primarily because of its stunning stunts and distinct portrayal of the future. Stripped down to essentials, it can be seen as a classic Western story.
Reflect on this: The entire film takes place in a barren desert landscape, much like many western-themed horse operas. The main character, Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy), is a quiet and solitary hero reminiscent of The Man with No Name (Clint Eastwood). In addition, the narrative revolves around a hero who shields innocent folks from brutal outlaws – a theme that can be found in classics like “Shane” and “The Magnificent Seven.
Miller himself acknowledges that “Mad Max: Fury Road” was influenced by Western films. He described it as a “Western on wheels” during his talk at the San Diego Comic-Con (as reported by Digital Spy). Despite being set in the future, the behaviors and setting are more primal, resembling a medieval era. The environment is sparse and straightforward. It’s intriguing to think about how cool it would be if traditional Westerns featured bandits strumming flaming guitars!
Logan applies revisionist Western themes to a superhero movie
In a future where mutants are scarce, “Logan” is about Hugh Jackman’s aging hero, who helps a young girl named Laura (Dafne Keen) and other gifted individuals in search of a refuge called Eden. This journey takes them on a perilous road trip that begins in the scenic American Southwest and concludes with a poignant fight at the Canadian border.
Logan is essentially a lone gunman, almost an anomaly, navigating a world that has left him bewildered. This character archetype is often seen in reimagined Westerns like “Unforgiven,” which unfolds during the twilight of the Old West and follows a grizzled cowboy who’s compelled to use his gun for the last time. Mangold found inspiration in “The Cowboys” as well, a story about an elderly rancher who partners with teenagers to accomplish a perilous cattle drive. However, the most significant influence on “Logan” was the 1953 film “Shane,” which features the titular cowboy safeguarding a family from nearby lawlessness. The contrast between tender scenes and harsh violence resonated deeply with Mangold.
All the mentioned films significantly impacted “Logan,” and they share a common trait: they are melancholic westerns focusing on characters striving for a tranquil life that remains elusive. Moreover, these are exceptional westerns you shouldn’t miss out on, making it clear that Mangold drew inspiration from some outstanding movies.
Near Dark is a Western with vampires
Prior to Kathryn Bigelow gaining acclaim from films such as “The Hurt Locker” and “Zero Dark Thirty,” she was recognized for her work in genre films like “Point Break,” “Blue Steel,” “Strange Days,” and “Near Dark.” This last film stands out among her works due to its unique blend of Western, horror, action, and a touch of sweet romance elements. In the realm of vampire movies, “Near Dark” is highly regarded, though it often gets overshadowed by more famous titles.
The narrative revolves around a band of roaming vampires traversing the Midwest, preying on victims in saloons and swiftly departing before dawn. In this setting, vampires resemble the fugitive gangs of the Old West who are perpetually evading law enforcement, except these outlaws face an unwelcome challenge: sunlight. This poses problems because not only does it have lethal consequences for them, but the police aren’t averse to conducting raids even during daylight hours. Essentially, they find themselves in a no-win scenario.
To add on, I find that vampires share similarities with old-time bandits from the Wild West. They’re just as likely to carry guns, puff on cigarettes, and while away their hours playing cards. In these instances, it seems like they could easily fit into a Sam Peckinpah film, despite their bites being more intense than those shown in his classic westerns.
Centurion brings Western sensibilities to a band of Roman soldiers
Known predominantly for his work on “Game of Thrones,” “Dog Soldiers,” and the highly acclaimed horror film “The Descent,” Neil Marshall’s expertise within his genres is undeniably solid. However, the historical action-adventure movie “Centurion” frequently gets overlooked in discussions — a situation that needs to be rectified.
Centurion, featuring Michael Fassbender and Dominic West, narrates an account where a small group of Ninth Legion soldiers wind up stranded among their enemies following the destruction of their fortress by the Picts. This sets off a harrowing journey as the squad struggles to make it through the lethal circumstances they encounter.
When considering films about Roman warriors, “Gladiator” and “Spartacus” are often the first that come to mind. However, unlike these grandiose productions, “Centurion” opts for a more economical approach, drawing inspiration from Western-style chase movies. It borrows elements from films like “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and John Ford’s cavalry pictures, such as “Rio Grande” and “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.” Moreover, it doesn’t shy away from vivid displays of violence.
Serenity and Firefly brought cowboys to space
Although “Firefly,” created by Joss Whedon, may not have produced numerous episodes, it is still one of the most enticing sci-fi shows to binge-watch in history. The storyline unfolds in the wake of a catastrophic cosmic war, and follows a band of outlaws aboard their freighter as they navigate the frontier, accepting any task that offers payment. As luck would have it, their plans often go awry, causing our protagonists to confront law enforcers, bounty hunters, and assorted dangerous characters. The narrative bears striking resemblance to a Western, with the series openly showcasing its inspirations.
Joss Whedon found motivation for creating “Firefly” following his reading of Michael Shaara’s “The Killer Angels,” which portrays a band of soldiers amidst the Battle of Gettysburg. Intrigued by narratives about individuals overlooked in conflicts and the intricate socio-political circumstances driving them, Whedon crafted a cherished ensemble of fictional outlaws with noble morals, cast as underdogs. Additionally, Whedon was influenced by the raw Westerns of the 1970s, focusing on tales about lost souls seeking a place to belong.
Regrettably, the series “Firefly” ended prematurely, but its cult following was so strong that a movie titled “Serenity” was produced to provide a fitting conclusion. Despite not achieving the mainstream success many sci-fi enthusiasts believe it should have had, there’s no disputing that it’s an incredible space-Western tale.
No Country for Old Men is a neo-western slasher movie
Author Cormac McCarthy is famously known for penning some of the grittiest and darkest Western novels, with “Blood Meridian” often considered his most authentic representation of the genre. Nevertheless, similar unsettling themes can be found in “No Country for Old Men,” a work that the Coen brothers adapted into a film in 2007.
Here is one way to rephrase the given text:
Fundamentally, “No Country for Old Men” is a timeless story about a criminal eluding capture by a relentless bounty hunter. Yet, unlike typical antagonists, this one shares similarities with horror icons like Jason Voorhees and Michael Myers, as he persistently pursues his quarry with ruthless determination, making escape seem impossible.
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is the definitive space-Western
Star Wars, created by George Lucas, draws influences from a variety of sources, such as old-fashioned adventure serials and Japanese samurai films. Yet, the spirit of the American Old West is also present, particularly evident in “The Empire Strikes Back.
The following movie after “Star Wars: A New Hope” reintroduces beloved rogues such as Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford) and offers breathtaking landscapes reminiscent of those seen in Western films directed by John Ford. However, it is also the film that debuted Boba Fett (portrayed by Jeremy Bulloch), the enigmatic bounty hunter inspired by Clint Eastwood’s antihero from Sergio Leone’s Dollars trilogy. Additionally, the Mos Eisley Cantina on Tatooine bears a striking resemblance to an Old West saloon, as it is notorious for hosting rowdy bar fights – a common trope in traditional cowboy movies.
Star Wars has since resurrected overt Western influences on shows like “The Mandalorian,” which also features a mysterious lone-wolf antihero and even boasts episodes that pay homage to “The Magnificent Seven,” “Red River,” and “The Wild Bunch.” Still, “The Empire Strikes Back” will probably go down in history as being more iconic than the Disney+ series, as it’s captured the pop culture imagination for decades and shows no signs of slowing down.
Read More
- BODEN PREDICTION. BODEN cryptocurrency
- GHST PREDICTION. GHST cryptocurrency
- BETA PREDICTION. BETA cryptocurrency
- STRD PREDICTION. STRD cryptocurrency
- Mango Markets Exploiter Found Guilty Of Fraud And Manipulation
- GBP EUR PREDICTION
- MATIC PREDICTION. MATIC cryptocurrency
- LOOKS PREDICTION. LOOKS cryptocurrency
- BRN/USD
- TNSR PREDICTION. TNSR cryptocurrency
2024-09-23 22:00