'Bone Tomahawk' A Review

Bone Tomahawk is a horror/western set in the 1890's about two people kidnapped by a group of troglodyte cannibals and the four men who go to rescue them. The movie opens on two bandits who desecrate the aforementioned troglodyte cannibals burial ground, one of them is killed and one escapes. The TC's follow the surviving bandit to near by town Bright Hope where they kill a citizen and kidnap two others. The sheriff(Kurt Russell) along with his aged deputy(Richard Jenkins), local playboy gunslinger(Matthew Fox), and hobbled cowboy(Patrick Wilson) set off in pursuit.

Russell gives a confident authentic performance, pleasing to see him in a lead role after a string of supporting parts, he's one of those actors that makes you comfortable whenever he is on screen. As he's aged he hasn't lost any of his rakish charm but has gained a certain amount of gravitas. Jenkins gives a great turn as the loyal somewhat persnickety deputy with incredible chemistry with Russell. Fox is passable as the conceited-killer-fop but lacks depth. Wilson struggles with his portrayal as much as the literal crutch he uses, he flounders as the determined wife-rescuer.

The tone of Bone Tomahawk is odd, not horror/western hybrid but 3/4 western 1/4 horror, because it is does not actually meld the two genres it would have been better served to pick one or the other, as it is it feels like two incomplete ideas. Visually the film is sloppy, with a dullness that makes it look artificial, and periodic handheld shots which make it seem amateurish. Made even more bizarre by the star power within the frame. The graphic violence in the final part of the movie is certainly well done but comes out of no where and ultimately has no real meaning.

Inconsistent, underdeveloped, and confused.

Don't See It.