'Appaloosa' review

Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris in "Appaloosa" (Credit: Lorey Sebastian/Warner Bros.)

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In 1882 New Mexico territory, professional "peacekeepers" Virgil (Ed Harris) and Everett (Viggo Mortensen) attempt to stabilize the town of Appaloosa, where a rogue rancher (Jeremy Irons) has the people scared. Meanwhile, Virgil takes a liking to a widow (Renée Zellweger) who may also have her eye on Everett.

Big question: Can director/co-writer Harris put some punch into this conventional western?

Catch it: The romantic complications don't accomplish much -- heck, Zellweger's character may as well be named Liability -- but the movie's plenty watchable as a two-man show between Mortensen and Harris. They're old-fashioned men just trying to figure out how to establish a little law in society, and every so often you're glad to see a good ol' duel between guys who stand for something and those who don't.

Skip it: If you agree with the men that you don't see a lot of single women around anymore who aren't whores. Perhaps you should hang out in a different part of town.

Bottom line: With a wandering pace that will have your mind wandering as well, "Appaloosa" is too, uh, loose-a. But if you're someone who orders the usual and is just happy when it comes out warm and fresh, I reckon "Appaloosa" will sit with you just fine.

Bonus: Bragg (Irons) tells Virgil that it's "hard to like a man who doesn't drink a little." Agree or disagree?

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