Comanche Moon | Val Kilmer, Steve Zahn | 2nd Installment of the Lonesome Dove Quadrilogy

Comanche Moon | Val Kilmer, Steve Zahn | Excellent!

DVDs:

Comanche Moon

	Comanche Moon Val Kilmer, Steve Zahn Sony Pictures, 2008 average customer review:based on 53 reviews view larger image
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2nd Installment of the Lonesome Dove Quadrilogy

This is a simply outstanding made-for-television movie about the lives of Texas Rangers Augustus McRae and Woodrow F. Call. Although it the second part of the four-part series and was filmed last, it is every bit as good as its predecessor (Dead Man's Walk) and almost as good as its successor (Lonesome Dove). The complete story finishes with Streets of Laredo. One of the most interesting parts is the depiction of the state capital, Austin, in its early years. Additionally, what makes all four movies of the series so compelling is the character development of the main characters, so that it is not just a "shoot 'em up" with a lot of action but no story to tell, but rather, a tale that leaves you wanting to know what happens to Gus and Woodrow in the next stage. I highly recommend this to Texans, peace officers, and anyone else who loves the Old West.

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Excellent!

This mini series did not disappoint. The acting was excellent. Steve Zahn captured Gus perfectly, even using similar affectations of Robert Duval, who played Gus in Lonesome Dove. Val Kilmer gave a fearless performance of Captain Skull which was spot on from the character portrayed in the book. The supporting cast was equally as good, the direction excellent and the story well paced and interesting.

I find it intriging the way Larry McMurtry portrays women in his novels. Strong,brave and vulnerable, living a life that gives them so few choices. They really can't count on the crusty and sometimes invulnerable men they fall in love with so they make do with eachother's help.

This movie is one for everyone who loves a good western. Thank you Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana for another great screenplay. I am eagerly awaiting Boone's Lick to be made into a movie and I think the Berrybender series would also do well.

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saga complete

Finally we have the last chapter in the lonesome dove saga
after years of supposed adaptations of Larry mcmurtry's final lonesome dove tale to close out and link up the middle years of McCrae,Call and cronies. Simon Wincer
the original miniseries director has returned to bookend
the series and does an estimable job, while not on the scale of the original , Wincer talkles amuch broader canvas especially in regard to the comanche who at the time were still quite able to vigourasously defend their culture and territory. Val Kilmer as Inish Skull has been critized as portraying the eccentric ranger leader as over the top when in fact scull is exactly that as created by McMurtry. Kilmer seems to enjoy the character as is a off the radar contrast to most of the main characters. In Dead Man's Walk Woodrow Call recieved a bit more story time at least in character building while in Comanche MOON Augustus McCrae is given substantive screen time via Steve Zahn to project the beloved ranger
we have come to know throughout the series. In Comanche
Moon zahn's gus is his ownand does succeed in bringing
a familiar character with his own nuances recognizable
but new. Karl Urban also succeed's but in a lesser degree
but he has less to work with as Call's make up has been
established in previous stories what Urban has left is aman who is in pain for being who heis and pain in being unable to truly embrace a future with a woman he clearly loves and who desperately loves him . His dedication to
keeping the Texas republic safe and his friendship with gus are his only respite. Ryan Merriman is miscast as
Jake Spoon and in fact is given even less to do than in the novel. Wes Studi is probably the most talented of native actors today and brings a dignity of character and
time to his portrayal of Buffalo Hump. Technically i do not think ,however he was the proper choice for Buffalo Hump. Though aging the comanche apearance should be closer though older to Eric Schweig's in Dead Man's Walk
an actor like Steve Reevis who actually has a the role of worm or Gil Birmingham from Into the West i would have prefered tom keep in line with previous versions though
if any of these actors could match studi's acting chops
is debatable. Jonathan Joss is wasted as he is hardly seen inthe miniseries as kicking wolf a major adversary of the rangers. Linda Cardenilli does afine job as Clara
andin fact brings in such more to the characterv that could be expected, the character of Maggie Tilton ,always
heard of and seen for a few scenes in Dead Man's Walk now comes to the fore and MS. Banks work is admirable and tragic to watch. The locations are used wonderfully filmed in New Mexico and used to the greatest effect.
My Rewiew is apostive review with resevations regarding some casting and the much of the story edited out from
novel ,some of which has been restored in the dvd .
Part 1 moves along slowly with thoughts of a dis appointing adaptation,however that changes soon and the next chapters depicted reaffirm this western as a fine
sweeping ,exciting, tale . while again not 1989's lonesome dove or even Dead Man's Walk it is finally
a welcome version of a saga long awaited for to close out
a hell of a tale

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Lonesome Dove series ( the missing link)

I have been a great fan of the (Lonsome Dove Series) unfortunatley never shown in Australia but found Comanche Moon completed the series. The best Westen Series ever Malcolm Innes Australia. Real Name.

Good, but way too many unnecessary talky scenes

A story of early Texas when the now great city of Austin was just a small frontier town. The story concerns a group of Texas Rangers who are periodically sent out to catch bandits and run various errands for the governor. Their long absences take a toll on their personal relationships in Austin, particularly when the town is attacked by Comanches and one of the Ranger wives is sexually assaulted and loses her unborn baby. Other characters include hostile (with good reason), horse-thieving Comanches, a Kickapoo tracker who helps the Rangers, the odd Captain Scull, and his scary "she-bear" of a wife, Inez. Sometimes I grew a little restless with the excessive amount of talky scenes in this series. Some additional editing was needed. But the acting was very good and the story was interesting. I liked the fact that the Indians spoke in their native tongue with subtitles (nice BIG YELLOW subtitles!!). There is lots of beautiful desert and plains scenery lit up with the brilliant blue skies and the bright, bright southwestern sunshine.

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