Today's movie a classic from the late 60's early 70's that is loved and revered by many, it even was chosen to be preserved by the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant", but is it worth all that praise? I don't know. But I do know how I feel about the movie, so lets dive right into...
Let's Begin
PLOT
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are notorious villains of the west. They run a small but lethal gang who rob trains every day, it's gotten so routine that the train conductors just let'em on through, no fuss at all. They both are dating a beautiful woman named Etta, and they are thick as thieves, so to speak. But, one day the local towns have had enough and hire the best trackers and sheriffs to hunt down Cassidy and The Kid. Fully aware of being followed, the two and Etta escape to South America to hopefully live life a new and not have to make their final stand.
PROS
The script is very good, with many memorable and funny lines that make the characters pop out.
Paul Newman (Butch Cassidy) and Robert Redford (Sundance Kid) are terrific as their characters and as criminal partners. They have a great chemistry and seem like they've been friends for a long time.
The film takes place in a somewhat unique setting, which is the end of the west. The time period where cowboys and outlaws were becoming a commodity and civilization and order where the norm. While it's in its early stages, it's still an interesting place to set a western, look at the video game "Red Dead Redemption" for a better look at this era (Which is an amazing game that everyone should give a try).
The final shootout in the last ten minutes of the film is tense and exciting. You really care for the characters and hate to see them come to this obvious yet tragic conclusion.
CONS
The movie has very strange montages. What I mean is that they come out of no where and seem really awkward. The most famous being the "Raindrops Are Falling On My Head" bicycle scene, which left me very confused.
There comes a point about 20 minutes in that the movie slows to a screeching halt to show the two leads running away from the posse sent to hunt them down. That would be fine if it didn't go on for 20-30 minutes. It's just the same scene over and over again, they run away on their horses, stop to see if they're still being following, comment on it, guess who's apart of the posse, Kid says a cold remark, they ride off again, rinse and repeat.
CONCLUSION
While I don't hate this movie, I can't say I like it either. I can't even appreciate it because I'm still not sure what it did to make it so loved and revered. While, yes, the script and characters are good, the rest is just a mess hidden behind some admittedly cool style. Overall, it's a dated movie that is over hyped in my opinion.
RATING
RENTABLE
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