Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld, Warner Bros, PG 106 Minutes.
‘Men in Black’ director Barry Sonnenfeld has once again teamed up with Will Smith; casting him in an entertaining action-comedy western which has him playing Jim West, a Civil War hero, opposite US Marshall Artemus Gordon (Kevin Kline – ‘Dave’).
This story is set in 1869 and revolves around the US being threatened by a deranged scientist Dr Arliss Loveless (Kenneth Branagh – ‘Dunkirk’), a Confederate wheelchair-bound soldier hell bent on seeking revenge for the loss of the Civil War.
To prevent this taking place President Ulysses Grant (also played by Kline) calls in agents Best and Gordon and instructs them to bring in Arliss to face justice (in particular for the kidnapping of a number of missing scientists).
In proceeding with their mission the dynamic duo must first find Loveless’ scheming partner in crime – none other than the Irrepressible Confederate General McGrath (Ted Levine – ‘Nowhere to Run’).
Before too long the agents are on board the Wanderer (train) and soon catch up to Loveless prior to seeing his train transformed into a large mechanical spider with huge hydraulic spider’s legs-which precedes them being captured.
After escaping Loveless’ clutches Best and Gordon reach the Spider Canyon which is near his fortress as he emerges driving an eighty foot mechanical tarantula and is then forced to face both agents in a deadly encounter.
In gratitude for their successful assignment President Grant informs Best and Gordon that they will now be part of his newly formed presidential protection service to be called the Secret Service-with Best and Gordon becoming agents one and two.
Sonnenfeld has made an enjoyable movie filled with many action scenes as well as assembled an array of fascinating characters to deliver quite a scintillating storyline in spite of inserting a far-fetched plot.
Besides merging some special effects into a sci-fi western story the major highlight is the inclusion of a great cast headed by the flamboyant Smith, Kline’s range of disguises-in his portrayal of Gordon/Grant and Branagh as the mad scientist.
Wild Wild West is to be televised on 7FLIX at 9.00pm on Friday 2 April.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
