Arizona Cyclone: A Horse-Heavy Dust-Up

Is it worth the watch?

If you're looking for a Sunday afternoon time-killer that won't ask you to think, Arizona Cyclone is perfectly fine. It's for the folks who find comfort in the same three dusty streets and the sound of horseshoes on hard-packed dirt. If you’re a stickler for pacing or coherent character arcs, you’ll probably want to skip this one entirely. 🌵

The whole thing feels like it was filmed in an afternoon, and I mean that in a mostly complimentary way. There’s no bloat here, just a lot of men in hats yelling at each other about money and land.

The Horse is the Real MVP

Let’s be honest: Silver King the Horse has more screen presence than half the human cast. Whenever the plot starts to drag, they just cut to the horse doing something slightly heroic or just standing there looking stoic. It’s a classic move, and it works.

There is a scene midway through where a character delivers a monologue that goes on for about 45 seconds too long. You can actually see the actors behind him looking at their boots, waiting for the cue to start shooting again. It’s awkward, but that’s the charm, right?

Bits and Bobs

• The outlaws are so stereotypically evil I half-expected them to twist their mustaches.
• The bank set looks like it’s held together by spit and prayer.
• I swear the same background rock formation appears in at least four different locations.
• It doesn't have the grit of Gun Law, but it's got its own frantic energy.

I found myself wondering if they ran out of film because the ending happens so abruptly. One minute they’re planning a robbery, and the next, everyone is shaking hands and riding off into the sunset. No cleanup, no questions asked.

It's not trying to be a deep dive into the human condition like Land of Her Fathers. It's just a guy, a gun, and a horse. Sometimes, that’s all you really need to get through a rainy Tuesday. Just don't go in expecting anything revolutionary. 🤠