I had been intrigued about the movie 'Appaloosa' since I read about it in the run up to the Toronto Film Festival. The western, starring Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris, was getting a fair amount of positive feedback from many critics from around the country. Being a fan of the western genre, there was little doubt that I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

The movie is based on the 2005 novel by Robert Parker by the same name. Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and his sidekick Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) come to the city of Appaloosa to rid the it of Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) who has made the city lawless with the help of his following gang of thugs. In the subplot, Allie French (Renée Zellweger) catches the eye of Everett and briefly the movie looks to have the makings of a love triangle.

The movie is very picturesque with ample scenery and works as a period piece. The film is somewhat derivative using scenes you will probably remember from other western films you know and love. What fails in the movie is the poor third act. The movie seems to build up to a plateau but fails to deliver a knockout blow in the end.

'Appaloosa' is worth seeing but only would recommend it at bargain matinee prices or for rental on DVD.

Final Grade: C+