Geronimo: An American Legend, takes a leisurely, almost plodding approach to the Geronimo Wars in which the US Cavalry subjugated the Chiricahua Apache. Told in the voice of a young Army lieutenant (Matt Damon), the viewers saddle up and ride along with the cavalry as they slowly wear down Geronimo and his small warrior band.
It's slow, dusty, and boring work. This feeling is helped by a script that's shallow and superficial possessing no drama at all. This is a shame given the acting and directing talent assembled for the movie, not to mention the subject matter. The gorgeous desert landscapes help, but the talented Ry Cooder fails to bring home the musical underpinnings.
It's still an ok movie, at least Walter Hill brought in it under 2 hours. But for the same subject matter it can't compare with Dances With Wolves, or The Last of the Mohicans. I give it the entertainment grade of B-, but mostly for the scenery, and deference to Hackman and Duvall who are very good in their supporting roles.
It's slow, dusty, and boring work. This feeling is helped by a script that's shallow and superficial possessing no drama at all. This is a shame given the acting and directing talent assembled for the movie, not to mention the subject matter. The gorgeous desert landscapes help, but the talented Ry Cooder fails to bring home the musical underpinnings.
It's still an ok movie, at least Walter Hill brought in it under 2 hours. But for the same subject matter it can't compare with Dances With Wolves, or The Last of the Mohicans. I give it the entertainment grade of B-, but mostly for the scenery, and deference to Hackman and Duvall who are very good in their supporting roles.