I love a good western as much as the next person. However there is only one western that I dust off at least once a year to enjoy- Tombstone. This is the story of Wyatt Earp as he attempts to retire in the town of Tombstone.

Kurt Russell is very good in the title roll as Wyatt and his brothers played by Sam Elliot and Bill Paxton are equally good. The meanest of the bad guys played by Michael Biehn is also superb but the main reason you should watch this movie is not the strong cast, it is the strongest of the cast- Val Kilmer.

Val Kilmer as 'Doc' Holiday is possibly the greatest single movie performance I have ever seen (I know that is a bold statement but reserve your judgement until you see him in this film). Kilmer's portrayal of the feared gunslinger who is dying of tuberculosis and a hopeless gambling alcoholic made me laugh and cry throughout the entire film. 'Doc' evolves into Wyatt's only real friend and the only man willing to stand by him to the very end. Kilmer absolutely steals the show, which is saying a lot about a performance that is surrounded by good actors and equally good dialogue.

Tombstone is one of those films that folds the flat TV screen around you making everything else disappear until the credits roll returning you to your favorite chair with a sore and tingly arm because you haven't moved it in two hours.

This film is also a fairly accurate accounting, especially the gunfight at O.K. Corral, which is based on actual court records.
Watch this movie alone or with someone who does not talk during the film, settle into your favorite movie spot, crank up the surround sound and enjoy. Just thinking about Kilmer's performance makes me want to watch this film again- which I'm going to do right now.




Recommended: Yes