Last Man Standing (DVD, 1997)

Part prohibition-era gangster movie and part spaghetti western, "Last Man Standing" is a film that is entertaining from beginning to end. This movie does not take itself seriously. The characters are as if from a comic book, lacking complexity, and the dialogue is cliche. It's theme of redemption for the morally challenged "hero" , "John Smith", performed by Bruce Willis saves it from being a mindless shoot 'em up. Doesn't sound too promising? Wait until you experience it. Two rival booze profiteering gangs, one Italians and one Irish, both from urban Chicago, compete with each other for control of the "old west" town near the Mexican border that they operate out of. "John Smith" rides into town, gets the idea that he can play them off of each other to make some money, but sympathy for the plight of three women interferes with his plans. Shooting, shooting and more shooting accompanied by the killing that results is the main action. If you like that sort of thing, then this is a great, over the top example.
The real star of this movie is the atmospherics and the cast. The filming is done in such a way that you are immersed in the setting. Dust, heat, colorless wasteland of both nature and the soul. the musical soundtrack by Ry Cooder is amazing and my favorite part of the movie. I purchased the music as soon as I was able and listen to it often. One of my favorite soundtracks ever. Bruce Willis is excellent as usual and Christopher Walken is perfect as the sociopathic killer. Bruce Dern as the corrupt Sheriff and
William Sanderson as the inn-keeper are great. This is a movie worth owning because you will watch it again and again.

Just in case you didn't know, Last Man Standing is a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1961 masterpiece Yojimbo. And it isn't the first; Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars starring Clint Eastwood from 1964 is also a remake of that classic Japanese flick. Truth be told, "Fistful" is probably a truer model for "Last Man". Masterfully written and directed by Walter Hill (The Warriors, 48 Hrs., et al), the story is well suited for the 1930s prohibition-era setting in which it has been placed... Quite a jump from feudal Japan to the Old West and then Prohibition-era America... But it all comes together nicely... Bruce Willis comes through with the challenge to fill the shoes of, not only an American icon in Clint Eastwood, but the Japanese icon of Toshiro Mifune (Red Beard, The Bushido Blade) as well... Christopher Walken is great as always as is David Patrick Kelley who, unfortunately, this movie watcher hasn't seen much of outside Dreamscape and "Twin Peaks"... All in all, I would say that this movie is well worth the time to buy, ship and watch... 8/10...

This movie is blunt: it's like a video game where the objective is for Bruce Willis to be the "Last Man Standing". Comparative to the likes of "Replacement Killers", "Last Man Standing" doesn't try for anything fancy. It's here to stack up the bodies and have fun while doing it. Christopher Walken as the eccentric, nutso mob boss who's out for Willis' hide is truly memorable. A must have for action fans.

This is definitely one of Bruce Willis' best movies. Set in a small Texas town full of mafia gangsters all fighting amongst each other while Bruce plays both sides against each other. Check it out.

Last Man Standing is just Another awesome Bruce Willis action film

Pure action, Adrenaline, excitement, oh... and Bruce Willis.

Last Man Standing follows Bruce Willis as he shoots first and asks questions later.

This is the most action packed Willis film I've seen, and if you love action Last Man Standing is for you.

Final Verdict:

4/5

Rent or buy?: Definite buy if you're an action fan, definitely worth a rental if you're not.

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