Well, I have to say I loved this movie when it first came out. It has a beautiful desert set, a wonderful array of actor driven characters, and the kind of gun fighting you could only imagine from a movie about Billy the Kid. But now that I've watched it more recently, it's highly amusing. To watch current stars like CSI's William Peterson and The Lord of the Rings' Viggo Mortensen at the dawn of their careers is something that can't be missed. Along with them are a flock of excellent 80's actors who will have you loving them all over again. Emelio Eztevez provides what is probably the best performance in his career along with the likes of Christian Slater, Kiefer Sutherland, and Lou Diamond Phillips. I recommend this as one of the best good time westerns that recent years have to offer, though the first movie of the series is a bit better. 7/10
Add a Review
-
jonothanwarriorpoet23 November 2003
-
No doubt anyone would question Christian Slater coming into the gang, but he works so well as a bad ass. Gee, I wonder why? :) He and Emilio play as the new rebels of the town, while Billy's old gang is moving on with their lives, but are soon arrested for walking with him, he wants the old gang back together to once again reck havec on the scene. The chemistry worked well again as the first one did, with some promising new cast like Christina Slater, Jon Bon Jovi, and an unknown Viggo Mortenson. I think if you enjoyed the first Young Guns, you are more than bound for another off your seat action western! Yee haw! OK, sorry, I can be a little over-dramatic at times. :-P
7/10 -
For a movie it thought would be shallow and made for popular culture, Young Guns II really surprised me. ALL the actors were GREAT in this movie. I especially loved Lou Diamond Phillips and Kiefer Sutherland (of course). Emilio Estevez was wonderful and for once I didn't hate Christian Slater. Also, as a fan of Ferris Bueller, you have to love Alan Ruck, even though he doesn't have a huge part in Young Guns II. I saw the first movie, and it was okay, but I seem to get into and feel for the characters much more in the sequel--they have more depth and there's not as many, so you can focus more on the important relationships. Not to mention a core musical identity of my era named Jon Bon Jovi, who did the theme song (which had some awesome lyrics). Alan Sylvestri did the rest of the score, and I always love his music, too. I ended up buying Young Guns II because it's hard to get through it without tearing up. The tragedy of Billy the Kid is told well in the movie, and if the screenplay had just been a little less choppy, I would have given the movie a 9. I'll have to go for an 8 on this one, but see it anyway, the actors are definitely the highlights of Young Guns II.
-
burgh6624 August 2003No matter what people say, I think this sequel is very well written and scored. It may not be the best movie ever created, but some of the events that occurred in the sequel are fact based. i.e. the Bob Ollinger shotgun incident, Billy actually busted out the window and yelled a "Hello Bob!" before he emptied both barrels into Ollinger's head and chest.
There are the Hollywood add-in's as in most movie production, but i thought it was worthy of praise. There will be people who say that sequels shouldn't be made, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I believe that as long as the sequel provides ample entertainment and you don't have 50 sequels on the same subject that sequels are fine.
NOTE: For the last commenter, they didn't "kill" Billy in the first Young Guns, they stated that he was caught in the Old Fort Sumter by Sheriff Pat Garrett and killed, but we never actually see him die and according to the sequel and different accounts of what occurred over 100 years ago, we may never know exactly who is buried in William Bonney's grave except for the individual that is entombed there. -
ma-cortes30 January 2011This is the sequel to successful film titled 'Young Guns'(1998 , by Christopher Cain) with similar players and concerning about Billy and his band heading toward the Old Mexico and pursued by a posse. Revisionist and contemporary study about William Bonney, alias Billy the Kid . Billy(Emilio Estevez) became a cowboy in Lincoln County (New Mexico) for cattleman Tunstall allied to Chisum (James Coburn) , but Tunstall is killed and started the Lincoln County war against Murphy as main enemy . Billy seeks revenge for his death and he converted an outlaw and nasty gunfighter with a price on his head . Then Billy along with a young group (Kiefer Sutherland, Christian Slater, Lou Diamond Phillips , Balthazar Getty) have their own ethic codes and undergo a criminal spree . The bunch is besieged but they went out firing his gun and made his escape . However , the Kid was caught and convicted of killing and sentenced to be hanged ; though shackled foot and hand , he managed to getaway from prison by shooting dead the deputies (Leon Rippy) guarding him. Pat Garret( William H Petersen), a former friend, was elected sheriff and set off in pursuit to capture him and on 1881 tracked at Fort Sumner and there shot him dead by surprise. It is said that Chisum was instrumental in making Billy the Kid an outlaw killer, he used his considerable influence in getting Garret elected Sheriff of Lincoln County in 1880 and it was Pat who hunted down and killed the young outlaw . Garret and his gang pull off a hot chase against the outlaws. Legend says that Billy murdered 21 men in his 21 years of life but is really thought to be much less. After Pat Garrett was not reelected sheriff of Lincoln County, however he was commissioned a captain in the Texas Rangers. On 19 February 1908 he was driving his buggy on a lonely desert road, he stepped down to urinate and was shot in the back by a hired killer. A man stood trial for the murder but was acquitted. Controversy still surrounds the end of Pat Garrett .
This is an in interesting look about the known story of the West's greatest bandit. Contemporary-style Western with acceptable performances and professional direction by Geoff Murphy who creates some good action scenes. The Kid is well played ,though sometimes overacting , by Emilio Estevez, he plays as a likable, sympathetic, attractive young and favourite with girls. This passable Western packs lots of action, shootouts, and explosive violence . Taut excitement throughout, beautifully photographed and with spectacular bloodletting but realized with some flaws . The story is exactly like ¨The young guns I¨ with loads of noisy action and violence. The film gets spectacular shoot em'up , thrills , exciting horse pursuits ; it's entertaining , although nothing new but displays an ordinary pace and with no originality . The movie contains some moment of grisly violence and even touching on the relationships between the fugitives . Colorful and great cinematography by Dean Semler. Modern and unfitting musical score by Alan Silvestri with songs by Jon Bon Jovi. The motion picture will appeal to Western fans. -
"Young Guns II" picks up the story of the outlaw capers of Billy the Kid, after they escaped the clutches of the law in the Lincoln County war of New Mexico Territory in the 1870's. There is one unique part of this film that "Young Guns" wasn't able to use, and that is, in the 1950's, an old-timer named Brushy Bill Roberts claimed to be William H. Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid. Brushy Bill desires a pardon, says that the governor of 1870's New Mexico, Lew Wallace, promised him one, but never came through on that promise. Now, he is willing to tell his story to the media, in exchange for a pardon from the current governor. The reporter is, of course, skeptical, wants some proof of Brushy Bill's story, and therein lies the story of "Young Guns II." Told in flashback style, the film recounts the few years following Billy's escape from the legal factions in Lincoln County, New Mexico, and his new gang's outlaw capers.
The cast returns several of the actors from the prequel film, and adds some new faces, as well. Besides Emilio Estrevez, Kiefer Sutherland, and Lou Diamond Phillips, the gang adds Christian Slater, who wishes to make a name for himself in outlaw legends. James Coburn adds some class to the film in the role of John Chisum, big ranch owner in the New Mexico territory, and William Petersen plays the role of Pat Garrett, who is hounded by the legal authorities to bring Billy in to justice, dead or alive.
There's the story, and one has to decide for himself, was Brushy Bill really telling the truth as to his being Billy the Kid, or was he simply trying to make a memorable place for himself? The film also features a Golden-Globe Award-winning Best Original Song,"Blaze of Glory" performed by Jon Bon Jovi. A good film to fill an afternoon with, but not quite up to the height of "Young Guns." -
The legendary Estevez returns as the legendary Billy The Kid in this Thrilling & exciting sequel. I loved the first film & i loved this sequel, the slickness & fun tone of the first film is here & still with it's violent darker parts but again Estevez seems to be really enjoying himself playing this wild character.
The cast is Awesome with "Christian Slater" & "Lou Diamond Phillips" & "Keifer Sutherland" & "William Peterson" & the legendary Cinema great "James Coburn" R. I. P, the casting is excellent. The music is fantastic here with the help of Jon Bon Jovi who created an Awesome soundtrack Album for this movie.
There's a feel of total Coolness to this film & it's hot young cast.
The cinematography is beautiful, the action scenes are excellent & there's still that humour & fun tone to the film & the ending is the stuff of Legends.
Estevez leads his crew of misfit Regulators on the run from "Pat Garrett" & his gang, it's a fun Chase Thriller western with lots of great Action sequences.
Great soundtrack too.
A fantastic sequel to an 80's Classic & one hell of a good time western!!!
Estevez Rules. -
allan_the_poet19 October 2005The second Young Guns film is good. There's good humor, action and even some drama. My favorite line from the film is when Billy hands Doc his gun after the latter says, "Let's finish the game." That is definitely one of the best lines in any Western I've ever seen and I've seen quite a few. I wanted to post my comment because there is one major goof in the film. In a scene towards the end of the first Young Guns movie, Billy has a conversation with Pat Garrett (played by Patrick Wayne in that film). In that scene, Pat tells Billy that "they're asking him to run for sheriff" to which Billy replies, "Well, I'm asking you to run...that way before I take your stinkin' hide down like I did Brady's." But the second film opens with Pat (played by Bill Petersen) as a member of Billy's gang! In Young Guns II, Pat isn't offered the position of sheriff until halfway through the film and Billy doesn't find out that Garrett is the new sheriff from Pat himself but from a newspaper clipping! That's a serious lack of continuity.
-
Tweekums16 October 2018This sequel, set a little while after the events of the first film, opens much later, in the 1950s, with a young lawyer meeting an old man in the New Mexico desert. He claims that he is Billy the Kid and he has a tale to tell. As his story opens Billy is now riding with Pat Garrett and "Arkansas" Dave Rudabaugh. The governor offers Billy a pardon in exchange for testimony but this deal is reneged on and other surviving members of his old gang, Jose Chavez y Chavez and Josiah Gordon "Doc" Scurlock, are arrested... Billy soon escapes then breaks his friends out of captivity. Soon Billy has his old friend Pat Garrett hunting him down. Times are changing in New Mexico and Billy has less places to hide so he suggests heading south to 'Old' Mexico.
I really enjoyed this sequel, possibly more than I enjoyed the original. The story is a lot of fun as it delivers action and a degree of humour. The action includes shootouts, a knife fights and some impressive horse riding. The characters are a good mix; as well as Billy, Chavez and Doc there are new gang members; "Arkansas" Dave, played by Christian Slater; Hendry William French, played by Alan Ruck and young Tom O'Folliard, played by Balthazar Getty. These characters are an interesting mix and nicely compliment to old characters. Outside the gang William Petersen does a solid job as Pat Garrett. While it is very much a 'male film' there is a very enjoyable turn from Jenny Wright as brothel keeper Jane Greathouse, a friend of Billy's. Much of the film is fairly amusing but it does have its moments of tragedy; some real tear-jerkers. The film is shot in a way that brilliantly captures the rugged beauty of the New Mexico desert which is accompanied by a great score from Alan Silvestri. Overall I'd say this was a really enjoyable western that is well worth watching. -
scubaseven22 June 2019More of the same but in a good way. Man the 80s and 90s were a good time for movies.
-
p-stepien4 January 2011After the end of the Lincoln County War a new governor comes to town - one gen. Lee Wallace. He is here to bring order back to the region and plans on doing so by hanging whoever was connected to the war (nevermind what history tells us). Amongst those captured are Doc Scurlock (Kiefer Sutherland) and Chavez y Chavez (Lou Diamond Phillips). Meanwhile Billy the Kid (Emilio Estevez) is roaming the state rustling and hustling. Even tries to get pardon from the new governor, only to be tricked and put in jail. Billy soon manages to escape and breaks out his old pals with him. Together with some new pals like Arkansas Dave (Christian Slater) and Hendry William French (Alan Ruck) the come back as the scourge of Lincoln County. But this time a former friend and ally Pat Garrett is hired as the new sheriff...
When taking on this movie Emilio Estevez stated it would be closer to historical fact and more gritty. And I would have to say he lied. As far as the original part took some historical liberties this one just rapes them. Naturally some of the changes made in the first part had repercussions in the follow-up (like the death of Charles Bowdre), but I find no logic behind recasting Sutherland and Phillips in the follow-up and even less in them being killed off (given that both Chavez and Scurlock actually had relatively long lives for gunslingers).
The main problem with the movie isn't however the history, but the general tone, which basically attempts to make a cool western. Characters are supposed to be savvy, funny and fun, while none of the grit of western movies makes it to the forefront. The whole Billy the Kid character is very poorly thought out by Estevez and his portrayal is one of the weakest. The movie (as in the first part) lacks heart and plods out from beginning to end with no real attempt to entice and engage. The biggest flaw is the lack of a proper counterpoint to Billy's character, someone who would put sense to his actions. There are a few brief scenes, which attempt to do this, but neither Pat Garrett or Doc Scurlock are given good enough lines to actually be able to pull it off. Instead the scenes just dissipate without any dramatic consequence.
Given that the action is also not worth of any note it is not surprising that the movie has not stood the test of time and is slowing dropping into oblivion. Nonetheless the movie does have a brilliant score, although I did find myself wondering at times if it actually fits a western. -
Whether or not the movie is 100% historically correct should be irrelevant in this film. The story of Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County Regulators is so sketchy to begin with, it would be hard to pick through every piece made about it. Despite what may or may not be factual in this film... the movie really is a good one. It's even better than the first, with a better all-star cast, better writing, and better acting. Emelio Estivez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, Christian Slater, William Petersen!!! It doesn't get any better than that. They all deliver wonderful performances, and this movie will keep you on the edge of your seat, dodging bullets and laughing right along with "the gang." This movie is very entertaining, and even historical, even though a few points may be slightly off.
-
eamonnh-8946921 August 2021This film shows how much power and greed there is in Hollywood. Greed, as this was never supposed to be made as shown with the last dialogue in the first, which leads to the POWER, the only way they could get Keifer back was to agree to give him the death that Casey Siemaszko character from the first suffered and not as it portrayed in the first, as history shows Doc lived till 1929 and Charlie survived the war at the store.
I would have liked to see waynes son return as Pat as the one in this seemed weak. All in all decnt enough action to keep most happy. -
SnoopyStyle16 April 2014An old William H. Bonney (Emilio Estevez) retells his life as a young Billy the Kid. At first, he's running with Pat Garrett (William Petersen) and Arkansas Dave Rudabaugh (Christian Slater). A settled Doc Scurlock (Kiefer Sutherland) is now a teacher, but he is taken prisoner by the law as well as Chavez (Lou Diamond Phillips). Billy the Kid eludes capture despite a hefty bounty. Governor Wallace wants him to testify and promises him a pardon in a secret pact. They fake his capture but it turns all too real when D.A. Rynerson (R.D. Call) double crosses him. He helps Doc and Chavez escape from lynch mob. Despite wanting to go back east, Doc finds himself being chased along with the rest on their way to Mexico. They go to former ally John Chisum (James Coburn) who is the richest man in the new territories. However things don't go well and Chisum hires Garrett to kill the fugitives as the new sheriff.
I really don't like the old man narration. It takes a little too long to get the gang back together. The three remaining originals still have a great deal of chemistry. However the group is too much in flux. People keeps coming in and leaving. The group doesn't settle down until 3/4 hour in to develop its chemistry. The other characters also keep showing up and confusing the story. This should be much easier as a simple chase movie. -
GradyQ21 June 2003YOUNG GUNS 2 was a stunning achievement, a sequel that managed to surpass its brilliant predecessor, 1988's YOUNG GUNS. YOUNG GUNS 2 follows the story of Billy the Kid, already an outlaw and now riding with the cow thief Pat Garrett. Garrett is offered the position of Sheriff by the Governor, who finds himself constantly cowed in his efforts to catch Billy the Kid. In the Governor's mind, you must hire a thief to catch one, hence Garrett is the perfect choice. Pat Garrett, who has long planned to go respectable, siezes the opportunity and turns on his friend and partner. What follows is a great western adventure, rich with themes of sin and redemption and the tragedy of brother against brother. That alone makes a great flick. But then YOUNG GUNS 2 offers the question... what if Pat Garrett was conflicted about his choice? What if he still had feelings for the Kid? What if he let him go? This is good stuff, folks. The leads do the material justice, with Estevez jumping back into the role of Billy like an old and comfortable suit that still fits perfectly. William Petersen gives a nuanced performance as Pat Garrett, a man driven by both loyalty and selfishness. Of course no review of this film should fail to herald the talents of Lou Diamond Phillips. Phillips is an actor who constantly seems to raise the bar for himself, and YOUNG GUNS 2 is no exception. His Chavez is MORE spiritual, MORE effortlessly wise... dare I say MORE Indian than he was even in the first installment. Hopefully, Phillips will be with us for a very long time. Kiefer Sutherland, Christian Slater, Balthazar Getty, and Alan Ruck round out the talented cast. So finally, do yourself a favor with this one, YOUNG GUNS 2 is an amazing film experience.
-
Agent1011 July 2002Darker and starker than the original film, this movie really tried too hard to be legitimate. Much like Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, a bigger budget may have ruined this film considering the power and energy was lost from the original. Sadly, this proves to be the real reason for sequels: make the first one look so much better. While the performances were good and all, this movie proved to be something of a letdown.
-
anaconda-4065819 August 2015Young Guns 2 (1990): Dir: Geoff Murphy / Cast: Emilio Estivez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, Christian Slater, William Petersen: Decent sequel examining the life of Billy the Kid while never revealing the source of his survival. He narrates the film explaining his escape from the law and regrouping with his gang. They head for the boarder with Pat Garrett closing in on them. Structured with several gunfights well filmed by Geoff Murphy who previously made the futuristic The Quiet Earth. Emilio Estivez reprises his role as the Kid with crazy comical daring. Kiefer Sutherland and Lou Diamond Phillips return as gang members who eventually have a dispute that concludes with Phillips holding his arm out stretched offering Sutherland back his embedded knife. Christian Slater is added to the cast as a journalist out to discover the truth behind the Kid's existence as well as try to visualize what it must have been like. William Petersen plays Pat Garrett who is tasked with taking down Billy the Kid and his gang of outlaws. Entertaining sequel full of gun fire highlighted with Bon Jovi theme Blaze of Glory. One could say that the film is out to answer questions but since Billy's mortality isn't explained then that pretty much defeats the purpose. Otherwise this is a flawed but well produced entertaining sequel that sparks humour and old fashion western gunfights. Score: 6 / 10
-
AaronCapenBanner1 December 2013Geoff Murphy took over directing duties for this sequel, which opens with Billy The Kid(again played by Emilio Estevez) as an old man trying to tell his story of how he escaped the fate recorded by history to survive, as John Chisum(played by James Coburn) hires lawman Pat Garret(played by William Petersen) to track down Billy and his gang(returning Kiefer Sutherland & Lou Diamond Philips, along with Christian Slater & Alan Ruck) and kill them, as they are wanted outlaws he in particular wants eliminated, but Billy tells a different fate for them then previously described... Adequate sequel isn't as good as the first, with a contrived new story, but it is still put across in an entertaining fashion.
-
FlashCallahan17 September 2015Brushy Bill Roberts claims that he is the famous outlaw William H. Bonney, alias Billy the Kid, who was supposedly shot and killed by Pat Garrett in 1881.
The old man gives a very convincing story on how he and Garrett, along with a few others led the outlaw life and avoided the law, as wanted men.
Garrett, a friend of Billy's, was paid by John Chisum, a cattle king, to eliminate Billy the Kid. So, Garrett and Ashmun Upson set out on a journey to find Billy the Kid.....
This must be one of the first instances were a movie studio decided to cash in on the success of the first movie, and bring the rating right down in order to get as much cash in as possible.
These days it's quite common for a movie to have a lower rating like Die Hard, or Terminator, but back then, it was extremely rare.
And the result, while still pretty watchable, is just pointless and an excuse to get more young and upcoming stars to appear in a film together. This time Slater, Getty, and Ruck are the new additions to Billy's gang. Why? They just are, that's why.
So the gimmick is to have an old man claim he's William H. Bonney, and tell the films narrative. So we spend the first act getting the gang back together, the second act having them stab each other in the back and argue a lot, and the third act to provide us with as much overacting from Estevez as possible.
And if you look really closely around the hour and ten minute mark, you can pause it and see the exact point where Estevez ruins his chances of becoming an A-list star. All the work he put in the first movie is ruined by making his Billy the kid seem as comic book as humanly possible, and it takes away any drama or urgency the film has with Petersen on his trail (he's the best thing in it by the way).
So all in all it's totally watchable, with a wonderful cast, but you find yourself asking the question.....Why? every now and again.
And I still can't find Tom Cruise in this. -
Bored_Dragon11 October 2018As a kid I was a huge fan of Bon Jovi and the song "Blaze of Glory" was the only reason I watched this movie. They wanted to include "Wanted Dead or Alive" on the soundtrack for this movie, but Jon thought it had inappropriate lyrics and decided to write a new song especially for "Young Guns II", a new song that became one of his greatest hits. He even has a cameo appearance in the movie, so I definitely had to see it. And I'm glad I did. This stunning Western adventure drama tells the story about Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett. It has an excellent cast, good characterization, story with depth, lots of entertaining action and awesome music, crowned with the legendary "Blaze of Glory".
8/10 -
frankwhat24 October 2004I honestly liked this movie, but it just didn't seem to reach its potential.
The acting was up to par and the right actors seemed to fill the parts but I just had this feeling that something was lacking throughout the whole ordeal. There were without a doubt some awesome quotes...the best one's made by Emilio Estevez hands down. Come to think of it the worst part about this film was its lack of direction. Some things didn't seem to fit at all and left me wondering where the director was trying to take us. The action was definitely desirable and some great shootouts were portrayed especially one of them involving Kiefer Sutherland. Some viewers tore this movie apart but I have to say that it wasn't all that bad. While it certainly wasn't the best I've ever seen it was a fun watch and am glad I finally got around to viewing it. It also added a touch of real life history to it which always makes it more interesting if it is in fact based on a true story. I can't help it but I usually love those anecdotes!
Final Helping:
Movies: That wouldn't be necessary.
DVD Purchase: Good, but not that good.
Rental: Yes, especially if you're a fan of the first installment. -
novacky3 September 2018Bon Jovi's Blaze Of Glory is one good thing about this movie the second is James Coburn obvs and third is that there is no YGIII. Wasted potential of good actors on boring, apathetic, terribly acted story. Shootings were very chaotic, dialogues cheap and acting disturbing. Even the soundtrack was a failure (except for Bon Jovi)...
-
thedarkjedi3 December 2001This film is far superior to the first part and I can't get enough of it. The actors are likeable and work very well as an ensemble, the action and story are very immersive and the score (by Alan Silvestri) is simply awesome. (The music on Young Guns is totally different, very inferior, and does not help to accentuate emotions at all.) On this note: anyone who says that Jon Bon Jovi did the music for this film is very mistaken. He wrote a couple of songs that appear on the end credits (and an album that was *inspired by* the movie) but Silvestri is the one who created one of the best movie scores I've heard, which is nearly as good as his Back to the Future music. (Shame it isn't available to buy anywhere.)
Now back to the film. It's both entertaining and moving, and also very funny and I highly recommend it. Like a previous commenter said, there's no need to see the first film as this one stands on its own very well and totally surpasses its predecessor. 8/10. -
Across a span of decades, the character of Billy the Kid has been portrayed in film by quite the eclectic group of well known actors - Roy Rogers, Robert Taylor, Bob Steele, Buster Crabbe and even Paul Newman in an early film role, "The Left Handed Gun". I'm repeating myself from other reviews I've written when I say that for my money, Emilio Estevez does the best job of bringing Billy the Kid to life on the big screen. He just has this ego-maniacal way of portraying The Kid's malice, but with a charisma that's kind of appealing when he's taking it to his enemies.
"Young Guns II" isn't a great picture, but it's generally a fine follow up to the original "Young Guns", seeing as how a sequel was going to be made to capitalize on the first. I liked the idea of book-ending the story with the Brushy Bill Roberts appearance to add a bit of a mystique to the legend. I'll have to read up some more about that whole piece of history, since it's not that well known. I only came to learn about it when I saw this picture the first time back in the Nineties. I guess it's an interesting controversy to get wrapped up in, but I'm not that invested in the idea to get all worked up about it.
What I liked about the story was the way it brought in some of the historical nuance to the legend of Billy. The Kid made it a point to say that the Lincoln County War was a merchant war, not a range war. It had all to do with commerce and the awarding of government contracts to supply beef to the Army. There was also the mention of the other names Billy used throughout his life. William Henry McCarty, was Billy's birth name, and he used the name of a step-father, William Antrim as well, though not often. In fact, Billy used a number of aliases throughout his outlaw career, presumably to conceal his true identity while on the run; William H. Bonney is the name that survives history the most memorably.
Returning for the sequel in notable support roles are Kiefer Sutherland as 'Doc' Spurlock, and Lou Diamond Phillips as the Mexican-Indian Chavez. I wasn't particularly fond of William Petersen's casting as Sheriff Pat Garret, he didn't seem gritty enough in the role to take on the assignment from the Governor. Lew Wallace by the way, in real life was also the author of 'Ben-Hur', an interesting bit of trivia that totally astounded me when I found out he had a history with Billy The Kid as governor of New Mexico.
As with most of these Hollywood treatments based on history, purists will take issue with the fictional elements thrown in to make the story engaging for a modern audience. If you can get beyond that, this one is entertaining enough for Western fans with some catchy dialog and skilled cinematography. As an added bonus, you have James Coburn in a neat cameo, and Jane Wright with that slinky Lady Godiva bit as she mounts up and heads out of White Oaks. I hope it wasn't too cold that day. -
mentalcritic23 November 2004There are films that negate themselves in their final twist, or during the credits. The Usual Suspects is a classic example of a film in which the final five minutes negate the entire rest of the feature. Young Guns II, on the other hand, negates itself right in the opening sequence. Of course, the teenage girl market that it was aimed at wouldn't notice at first, but once one does a little research into who Billy The Kid was, holes start appearing faster than adolescent females used to appear at Emilio Estevez films in the early to mid 1980s.
In the 1950s, a man by the name of Brushy Bill Roberts (who had already tried to claim he was once a member of Jesse James' gang) contracted a lawyer and went before Governor Thomas Mabry. The film claims in its closing credits that Roberts was discredited in spite of "identification by surviving friends of the notorious outlaw". In reality, the only people with any real connection to Billy The Kid in attendance were sons of Pat Garrett, Kip McKinney and William Brady. Oscar Garrett, when asked if he had any questions to ask of Roberts, simply stated that he did not wish to dignify the claim. Which is understandable when you compare Roberts' story with the facts. Or a photo of Roberts to the singular known authentic photo of Billy The Kid.
There is, in fact, a site at www.aboutbillythekid.com, which I recommend to all those who want to know the truth of the Kid's life story. One page there documents the Brushy Bill case a lot more thoroughly than the writers of this film obviously did. Photos are shown of Brushy Bill and William Antrim, side by side.
Once you've read this page and seen the photos, you'll no doubt agree that Emilio Estevez has a better chance of passing for Billy The Kid than Bill Roberts ever did. Estevez is the right height, eye colour, and hair colour to impersonate Billy, although the aforementioned photo makes it appear that even Estevez might be too heavily built. Still, Estevez gets the physical and verbal performance right, so we can let minor details like that go.
What we cannot let go is that the Brushy Bill Roberts story is not the only area where major errors of fact are made. Young Guns II is clearly based upon Pat Garrett's account of the gunfighter's life. The reality is that Garrett was a coward, and the moment where Tom O'Folliard (who, incidentally, was actually older than Billy The Kid) is killed was much more consistent with his style. There is a quote about Garrett that sums it up: "You know what they say about Pat Garrett. He killed men like he killed buffalos, but at least he didn't ambush the animals in the dark." Garrett was also very much a nobody before he shot Billy The Kid, unlike what is shown here.
In essence, this is not even an inaccurate retelling of someone's life. This is an attempt to cash in on someone else's inaccurate retelling of a life they never led. What Young Guns II does have going for it is some of the best Western gunfights outside a Sergio Leone film, sumptuous cinematography from one of the few people whose name deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Leone, a scenery-chewing performance from Emilio Estevez, and an equally scenery-chewing performance from Christian Slater. On that basis, I gave Young Guns II a four out of ten. Just don't see it before you have read the real story - you'll be able to take it for what it is that way.