There are three stages to Sam Raimi's career. The first, wild, experimental stage from The Evil Dead to Darkman. The serious, second stage, from A Simple Plan to For The Love Of The Game, proving he could tell a compelling story, without the trademark flourishes. And the third, blockbuster era, encompassing the Spider-man films and Drag Me To Hell. Bridging the first and second era was his Western, The Quick & The Dead starring Sharon Stone as a gunslinger out for revenge against criminal overlord Gene Hackman in a ruthless quick draw tournament.
It's a noticeable attempt by Raimi to make a more mainstream movie by treating the drama in a calmer, more traditional way. However, he employs his lunatic camera techniques every time someone goes near a Colt 45. The gunfights of the tournament are particularly stylish, leaving the audience with no doubts who directed this. Stone is a little weak in the main role, especially opposite the master that is Hackman who relishes his inscrutable villainy. But the supporting actors practically scream "all star cast" with Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio making an impact, years before they broke into the A list. Add to that Lance Henriksen, Keith David, Tobin Bell, Gary Sinese and Pat Hingle and you have a movie full of riches. While the bare-bones simplicity of the plot and characterisations aren't one of those riches, the film is tense, fun and eventful enough to recommend to those who haven't seen it.
Add this to the category of 'better than I remembered it'.
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