BONE TOMAHAWK

I'm into Westerns for sure but horror not so much, so a film which combines both genres was always going to be an up-and-down viewing experience.

The Bad Guys here are an extremely primitive and nasty bunch of cannibalistic critters known as Troglodytes (because they live in caves), so nasty that 'normal' Native Americans disavow them, which I guess is this film's defence against accusations of racism.

The story is essentially quite simple. 

The Troglodytes have abducted three white people, the only one of which the film is interested in is Lili, the town's doctor.  The sheriff (a nicely grizzled Kurt Russell) assembles a motley rescue party, comprising his aged 'backup' deputy, Chicory (Richard Jenkins, marvellous as always), Lili's husband Patrick, who is handicapped by a leg injury, and John, who is insufferably arrogant and vain but very handy with a gun.

The film came in for some criticism for its leisurely pace during the second act when we spend a lot of time with these four, as the wheels slowly begin to come off their unlikely mission. Their situation becomes really desperate when their horses get stolen, and then Patrick is forced to drop behind as his leg becomes increasingly infected.

I was OK with this part of the film because it allowed the characters to breathe, especially since it meant spending more time with the sheriff and Chicory, their relationship being the best part of the film. 

The third act, when the rubber meets the road so to speak, is well-done even if it does contain some stuff that I found very difficult to watch. 

If both Westerns and horror are your thing, and you are able to enjoy a couple of veteran actors being given the chance to shine, then this is for you.

RATING: ✓ If You've Nothing Better To Do