Epic in scope but a bit thin on story
Film Critic Jason Evans is here to tell you everything you
need to know about movies without wasting your time. His reviews are exactly
100 words (not 99, not 101). Here is his 100 word review of News of the World.
The Premise: This film marks a reunion for the superstar
Captain Phillip tandem of director Paul Greengrass (three Bourne films, United
93, Green Zone) and the great Tom Hanks. Set in Texas in the 1870s, Hanks stars
as Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a grizzled Civil War veteran who now makes his
living going from town to town to give theatrical readings of newspaper
articles, bringing the News of the World to the masses (many of whom cannot
read). One day, while travelling between towns, Kidd comes across a young girl,
Johanna (12 year old German actress Helena Zengel), who was captured by Indians
several years ago and raised as a member of the Kiowa tribe. Johanna barely
speaks English and knows nothing of the world Kidd is from but her Kiowa family
has been massacred by American troops. Kidd agrees to take Johanna back to her
real family in southern Texas, despite the fact that the journey will take them
through lawless parts of the old West.
The 100 Words: Greengrass knows how to use a camera and his
shots of the Western plains are a wonder to behold. He always elicits strong
performances from his actors and the onscreen connection between Hanks and the
dazzling Zengel is what makes this film worth watching. Sadly, the picture
could have used a bit more story to hold our attention especially in the dull middle
third (and don’t get me started on a stupid sandstorm that comes out of
nowhere). Still, if you power through the weak parts, you end up with an old
west adventure that is decent, but nothing special.
What do you think? Reach out to Jason Evans on twitter @JasonDukeEvans to let him know.
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