1878 in New Mexico: John Tunstall picks up young gun men from the road to have them work on his ranch, but also to teach them reading and to civilize them. However he's a thorn in the side of the rich rancher Murphy, as he's a competitor in selling cattle. One day he's shot by Murphy's men. Judge Wilson can't do anything, since Sheriff Brady is one of Murphy's men. But attorney Alex persuades him to constitute Tunstall's young friends to Deputies and give them warrants of arrest for the murderers. Instead of arresting them, William Bonney just shoots them down. Soon the 5 guys become famous and William gets the name "Billie the Kid" - but they're also chased by dozens of Murphy's men and the army. The people however honor him as fighter for justice. A group of young gunmen, led by Billy the Kid, become deputies to avenge the murder of the rancher who became their benefactor. But when Billy takes their authority too far, they become the hunted. This is a revisionist look about the known story of the West's greatest bandit. Contemporary-style Western with nice performances and fine direction by Christopher Cain who creates some good action scenes. The Kid is well played ,though sometimes overacting , by Emilio Estevez, he plays as a likable, sympathetic,attractive young and favourite with girls. Colorful and great cinematography by Dean Cundey. Modern and unfitting musical score by Anthony Marinelli. The motion picture will like to Western fans. Followed by a sequel titled 'Young Guns II'(Geoff Murphy,1990) with similar players and concerning about Billy and his band heading toward the Old Mexico and pursued by a posse.<br/><br/>The picture is based partially on actual events. These deeds are the following: Billy(Emilio Estevez) became a cowboy in Lincoln County(New Mexico)for cattleman Tunstall(Terence Stamp) along with a young group(Kiefer Sutherland,Charlie Sheen,Lou Diamond Phillips,Dermot Mulroney,Casey Siemaszko). Tunstall was supported by lawyer McSween(Terry O'Quinn). But Tunstall was murdered by rival cattleman Murphy(Jack Palance) and started the Lincoln County War. Billy seeks revenge for his death and he converted an outlaw and nasty gunfighter with a price on his head. Bonney and his gang pull off a hot pursuit against the enemies. Billy, his band and McSween were besieged but he went out firing his gun and made his escape. The Kid was caught and convicted of killing and sentenced to be hanged ; though shackled foot and hand , he managed to getaway from prison by shooting dead the deputies guarding him. Pat Garret(Patrick Wayne), a former friend, was elected sheriff and set off in pursuit to capture him and on 1881 tracked at Fort Sumner and there shot him dead by surprise. Legend says that Billy murdered 21 men in his 21 years of life but is really thought to be much less. This is actually rather boring, and quite disappointing in my opinion, as I could never really get into it, the performances were good at least though. All the characters while good, are quite unlikable, as I couldn't root for any of them, and while the Tom Cruise Cameo near the end as a bank robber at the end is amusing, there isn't much else worthwhile other then a few decent shootouts. I generally enjoy Westerns however I just couldn't get into this one, and while Emilio is usually wonderful in everything he was kind of miscast here, plus while the finale is somewhat exciting, was not enough to save it for me. Kiefer Sutherland is pretty good in his role, and Charlie Sheen also fit into his role as well, plus as in all westerns I loved the setting. It did help that Emilio's energy worked like a charm even though he was miscast, however some scenes were painfully slow and boring, plus while I will check out the sequel eventually, it's not on my top priorities list after not caring for this one. This is actually rather boring, and quite disappointing in my opinion, as I could never really get into it, the performances were good at least though it's well worth the watch, because it's very popular among movie buffs, however it just didn't do it for me. The Direction is well done but that's about it. Christopher Cain does good job with using a good setting, and good camera work, but the pace is very uneven. The Acting is good for the most part. Emilio Estevez is not his usual amazing self, as he is miscast here, but still did decent, as he brought a lot of charm and energy to the role, even if he was rather unlikable and too cocky at times for my liking(Estevez Rules!!!!!!!). Kiefer Sutherland is pretty good here he was likable, intense at times, and had a cool character, I liked him a lot. Lou Diamond Phillips bored me as usual, I didn't find his character convincing at all, and consider him to be a pretty bad actor, here was no different. Charlie Sheen is good in his role, but got killed off way too quickly for my liking, as we didn't get a chance to know him (Sheen rules!!). Dermot Mulroney and Casey Siemaszko are OK here but didn't have much to do. Terence Stamp is very good here with what he had to do I liked him. Jack Palance is OK as the villain, but wasn't all that menacing. Terry O'Quinn is also good in his role. Rest of the cast are OK. Overall it's well worth the watch since it seems to be a popular film among movie fans, but it just didn't do it for me. ** out of 5 Considering how tidy and self-aware most such Hollywood projects are, any movie that can give Phillips' Mexican-Indian a monologue in which he painfully recounts the massacre only he survived and then blithely rejoices in idiot gunfire is a movie you have to respect. [12 Aug 1988, p.35]
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