American Outlaws MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +3 Content: -2

A blend of history with myth and legend creates larger than life heroes and villains in a nations past. Some of the most enduring legends in American history are wrapped around the blazing battles of the Old West between lawmen and outlaws. And some outlaws come across as good guys, like Robin Hood stealing from corrupt royalty to help the oppressed poor. Thats the image presents of Jesse James (Colin Ferrell), a charismatic gentleman robbing from the railroads to save honest farmers and avenge his mothers death at the hands of railroad thugs. With his brother Frank (Gabriel Macht) and cousins Cole, Bob and Jim Younger (Scott Caan, Will McCormack, Gregory Smith), Jesse challenges the imperious attitude of a corrupt railroad baron. But he also faces the challenge of Allan Pinkerton (Timothy Dalton) and his detectives. Although Pinkerton admires the daring tactics and ideals of the James-Younger gang, he plans to capture the outlaw. Recreating the myth of Jesse James, the film brings back the fun and action of classic westerns.

Although fashioned around historical characters, the story deals more with the myth and legends of the West. Jesse and his gang appear to have good motives for their law-breaking. They also are shown to be, sometimes humorously, polite and civil. On a couple of occasions, including the midst of a Civil War battle, Jesse allows unarmed or outgunned opponents to walk away. Although Mrs. James is presented as religious, asking if her boys prayed and acted as good Christians, she believes the Lord allows killing yankees and railroad men. There are lots of shootouts as befits the genre, but none of the violence is overly graphic or gory. And while comments are made about Coles sexual escapades, Jesse and his childhood sweetheart Zee (Ali Larter) comment about waiting until after marriage for some things. Although mild crudities are heard frequently, several obscenities and strong profanities muddy the dialogue. Frequent shootouts and crude dialogue lock up AMERICAN OUTLAWS.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Warner Bros., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522