[media-credit name=”Public Domain” align=”alignleft” width=”300″][/media-credit]John Wayne takes care of business.I just got back from seeing the remake of True Grit. It was exceptionally well done. Honestly, I feel like its a bit of blasphemy to say, but, it was many times better than the [amazon_link id=”B000O179FY” target=”_blank” ]original starring John Wayne[/amazon_link]. I know, I can hear you saying it now, “Jeff Bridges is not nearly as bad ass as John Wayne.” He’s not as bad ass. No one is that Bad Ass. After seeing the new version, and hearing its closer to following [amazon_link id=”159020459X” target=”_blank” ]the story of the book[/amazon_link], I think I’m going to add it to my list of things to read. Its a growing list.
Watching Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon ride all over Oklahoma, kicking the bajeebus out of some outlaws, made me think about how much easier it must’ve been for law enforcement back then. Someone committed a crime, you went out and shot them. Seems to me like it should have really put a damper on most people’s criminal careers. Of course, this was also the first Western I’ve ever seen that has an actual court scene in it. They don’t ever say either way in the movie, but I’m pretty sure the guy on trial gets off because Rooster Cogburn is such a hard ass.
That’s O.K. He shoots a crap ton of people after that, and the more people you shoot the better you are as a US Marshall in the 1870s.
Published by M.A. Brotherton
M.A. Brotherton is a writer, blogger, artist, and fat-kid from the suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri. He’s tasted a little bit of everything the Midwest has to offer, ranging from meth-tweaking rednecks in massive underground cave complexes to those legendary amber waves of grain. When he’s not writing, he spends most of his time screwing around on the internet.
I grew up idolizing John Wayne, so when I heard they were remaking a John Wayne movie, I was not happy. I do like Jeff Bridges and the Coen Bros. So I might have to see this version.
I was that little kid who didn’t have a Grandpa growing up and I desperately wanted John Wayne to be my grandpa. When he died, I cried so hard. I know I sound ridiculous. It’s just hard to see something he did, remade. It’s like remaking a Jimmy Stewart movie, in my book. It just should not be done. But that is just my opinion and I could be wrong.
I’m rambling. Sorry. Good post and I’m glad you liked the film. It’s good to hear what others thought of it. 🙂
M.A. Brothertonsays:
Well, I can agree with a lot of that. I associate John Wayne with my Grandparents, too. They love his work, and I can remember them having three or for video cabinets, full of VHS tapes, and one of them was set aside for just John Wayne movies. I think part of what makes True Grit ok to remake is that John Wayne was never happy with the original. Watching it this past weekend, I couldn’t help but think the new version is the one he really wanted to make. Its a little sad that he didn’t get to see it.
Tracy says:
I grew up idolizing John Wayne, so when I heard they were remaking a John Wayne movie, I was not happy. I do like Jeff Bridges and the Coen Bros. So I might have to see this version.
I was that little kid who didn’t have a Grandpa growing up and I desperately wanted John Wayne to be my grandpa. When he died, I cried so hard. I know I sound ridiculous. It’s just hard to see something he did, remade. It’s like remaking a Jimmy Stewart movie, in my book. It just should not be done. But that is just my opinion and I could be wrong.
I’m rambling. Sorry. Good post and I’m glad you liked the film. It’s good to hear what others thought of it. 🙂
M.A. Brotherton says:
Well, I can agree with a lot of that. I associate John Wayne with my Grandparents, too. They love his work, and I can remember them having three or for video cabinets, full of VHS tapes, and one of them was set aside for just John Wayne movies. I think part of what makes True Grit ok to remake is that John Wayne was never happy with the original. Watching it this past weekend, I couldn’t help but think the new version is the one he really wanted to make. Its a little sad that he didn’t get to see it.
I think he would have really enjoyed it.