ViewGuide

Created Jun 09, 2012 06:29AM PST • Edited Jun 09, 2012 06:29AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Great 4.0

   Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton star as Anse Hatfield and Randall McCoy in this really great and Hollywood class TV movie about the famous feud between the two families. Set in the late 1800’s after the civil war, these Kentucky and Virginia natives define early American hillbilly lore, and how the “wild west” also existed in the east at the same time. This impressive film not only gives an accounting of the events that caused all the ruckus, but also really makes it easier to understand what life was like. God-fearing and morality led living vs. hard drinking bullheadedness, with both sides exhibiting a sometimes mindless dedication to family unity. What started as a spat between Civil War buddies, rapidly escalated into an all out war that involved not only the families, but entire communities and bounty hunters. Organized law didn’t stand a chance getting in the way of these guys. In the end, this is an impressively made film that is a must see for any period-movie buffs, and it is chock full of drama and action that will entertain you even if history isn’t your thing.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   Of course, Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton were the clear acting leaders. Kevin more or less followed his tried and true persona of an approachable but stubborn personality – this time as Anse Hatfield. Bill Paxton was equally adept at the more humble yet markedly smarter Randall McCoy. All-in-all it was a great cast; a notable mentions go to Matt Barr as the Hatfield that could not keep his Johnson away from those cute McCoys and Powers Booth as the level headed Hatfield Judge.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Great 4.0

    This could have been a big-screen film, and is a great showcase of the rising bar that TV entertainment quality is exhibiting these days (this was written in 2012). If films like this keep coming out on TV, it will just be one more nail in the coffin of traditional movie theaters.

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Great 4.0

13. Music Great 4.0

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 2.6

17. Sex Erotic 2.6

18. Violence Brutal 2.6

19. Rudeness Profane 2.6

21. Reality

    Glib 1.2

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.2

23. Biological Glib 1.2

24. Physical Glib 1.2