Gun Play: A western that doesn't overstay its welcome

Is it worth your time?

If you have a soft spot for the kind of B-western that feels like it was filmed in an afternoon, sure. If you need a movie that surprises you, look elsewhere. People who love classic, dusty, black-and-white horse operas will enjoy the simplicity. Anyone expecting deep character arcs or realistic dialogue will probably check their phone within ten minutes.

There is this moment about halfway through where the bandits are just standing around, and the blocking feels so stiff it’s like they’re waiting for a bus. It’s charming in that low-budget sort of way.

Dusty trails and treasure maps

The whole 'treasure buried on the ranch' plot is as old as the hills. It’s barely an excuse to get people shooting at each other. But honestly, who cares? The real joy here is watching the actors navigate these tiny, cramped sets. Sometimes the shadows on the wall look more interesting than the actual scene.

I couldn't help but think of The Snowshoe Trail while watching this. Both movies have that same 'let’s just get the job done' energy. There’s no ego here. Just guys in cowboy hats being very serious about very small amounts of money.

• The dialogue is mostly just instructions. 'Go there.' 'Shoot him.' 'Find the gold.'
• The horses look like they’ve seen it all before.
• There’s a guy in the background of one scene who keeps adjusting his belt, and I bet he didn't think anyone would notice.

The pacing is fast. Maybe too fast? It’s over before you can really get annoyed by the plot holes. It’s not quite as chaotic as Circus Daze, but it has a similar breezy feel.

I think I liked the hats more than the acting. Some of those brims are just massive. It’s hard to take a villain seriously when his hat is taking up a third of the frame. 🤠

Anyway, don't overthink this one. It's just a movie about a guy, a lady, and some bad guys who probably should have picked an easier line of work.