Tombstone is alive and well. by J. E. "Gee" De Matteo

Huge

     If this isn't my favorite western, it's right up there.  As a matter of fact, when I'm watching or talking about it, I can't even think of a second place to it.  
     After my first viewing I felt that I might have enjoyed it so much because I walked in feeling that Val Kilmer was miscast as Doc Holiday.  It isn't because I don't like Val Kilmer, I do, he's one of my top 5 favorite actors, I just couldn't see him playing Doc Holiday.  
     As a kid I'd seen every movie and read everything I could find about the Gunfight at the O. K. Corral, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday.  And well, I guess I had a mental picture of Doc Holiday, and Val Kilmer didn't fit it.  Holiday was one mean, and nasty bastard, and I just couldn't imagine Val Kilmer that way.  
     Man, was I surprised.  Val Kilmer's performance has redefined Doc Holiday for me. 
     On the other hand Kurt Russell is my favorite actor and I had no problem with him playing Wyatt Earp.  Not only didn't Kurt disappoint me, but the relationship between his Wyatt Earp and Kilmer's Doc Holiday was perfect.  
     So for me, Tombstone is the quintessential Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, Gunfight at the O. K. Corral rendition, bar none.
     The other actor whom I like, but was nervous about in this movie is Bill Paxton.  His character in Aliens, supported by his character in True Lies had typecast him for me.  Well, he broke the mold with his performance as Morgan Earp.  
     This is another of the few movies where the casting was excellent.  Michael Biehn, Powers Booth, Dana Delany, Harry Carey Jr., Jon Tenney, Stephen Lang, Thomas Haden Church all did a wonderful job.  I enjoyed Charlton Hestons Cameo, and Sam Elliot is Sam Elliot.  He's such a great cowboy, does it so effortlessly, that no one I've ever talked to about The Big Lebowski has ever wonder why a cowboy was the narrator of a movie that takes place in modern day LA.
     If you've never seen it, and you like westerns, or just good, well acted movies, I believe you'll enjoy it.  It's not just a western, it's a tale of friendship, loyalty, love, and it's about people and how they get through life.  
     I hope I haven't built it up too much for you.  
     It's worth seeing just to meet Doc Holiday, huckleberry. 
Gee