Cowboys & Aliens MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +4 Content: -3

Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde. Action/sci-fi-western. Directed by Jon Favreau.

FILM SYNOPSIS: In the Old West, a lone cowboy leads an uprising against a terror from beyond our world. The Daniel Craig character slowly recovers from amnesia, discovering alien beings are kidnapping humans in order to study our weaknesses with the intent of later invading the entire planet. Harrison Ford is a grumpy land baron whose son has been abducted by the space creatures. Together they unite, along with an Indian tribe, to battle the intergalactic invaders.

PREVIEW REVIEW: It’s the best action adventure film of the year. And why not, its producers include both Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg. The two leads are charismatic and demonstrate why one is James Bond, the other Indiana Jones – they simply hold us to the screen with their presence.

The action sequences, though intense, are well staged and energized by Jon Favreu’s astute direction. There are positive messages, both about faith and symbolically about earthlings needing to ban together in order to defeat opposing threats. A kind of Rio Bravo Meets Predator, Cowboys & Aliens is everything the multi-comic-book superhero actioneers wanted to be. Because of these elements, it will make my list of best films of the year. Wish I could stop right there. Alas, a warning cometh.

It is intense. Certainly far too violent for children under 10 or for those sensitive about constant turmoil. Normally, too much of that disturbs me as well. But it’s an action film handled with such precision and know-how that you get to rooting for the good guys and clapping at the destruction of the bad guys. But beware: it’s too much for little ones. Don’t be taking them just cause you can’t get a babysitter. Can’t get someone to watch the kids? Then don’t go.

The other objection? Those of you who follow my critiques can guess – it’s the language. Though not as heavy on objectionable dialogue as most action adventure films of late, it is peppered with obscenities and both leads get an opportunity to profane God’s name. But this is somewhat evened out by a prominent character who happens to be a caring and wise preacher, a man of the cloth who speaks of faith. And at a burial, several characters bow in prayer, attempting to honor their fallen comrade and show respect for their Creator.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Universal