This is the Wild West, you can't put a 21st century spin on it.WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE ..........sort of gives the law leeway, shoot on sight so to speak.
The law had the right to take the lives of wanted men, particularly if those wanted men were putting others at risk. Even today lawmen will kill a suspect rather than allow him to hurt others (the fact that this is known has led to that weird modern phenomenon Suicide By Police). Clearly, the right thing to do when the outlaw gang shows up in Contention was to kill them as soon as possible. Yes, the lawmen had to avoid shooting innocent bystanders, but they're professionals. They should be able to spare the citizens of the town and still get the job done (the alternative, as we see, doesn't work out so well). Doing nothing is not serving the interests of the townspeople, it places them in greater danger. Passivity in the face of lawless aggression leads to greater aggression.
I just think you're going way over board here with this film in my humble opinion. But as always, you can think what you want and I'll do the same.
Well we can say the exact same thing, I think its an Ok film, hope it does start a trend of more Westerns, but hopefully smarter Westerns, that use plausible plot points that make sense. In my opinion its you who are going way overboard on the praise for this. We don't need Westerns that totally disregard the reality of the Old West. If you accept too outrageous plot points what are we going to get next. Next to Unforgiven the storyline convolutions of 3:10 seem ridiculous, its not at that level. But up against some of the ridiculous action flicks with flying cars etc. it fits right in.
I'm talking basic concrete Western ditctums, ie, if is six shooter, that's all it should fire before you have to reload. That kind of stuff. You start getting away from those basic dictums it ceases to be a Western.
Well, I'm going to go see this tonight if I don't get lost. I'll be sure to add my two cents went I get back.
Nevermind. I'll see it tomorrow.
got lost?
IM me, or ask Kurugen if you really want to know.