The Harder They Fall

         Director and co-writer (with Boaz Yakin) Jeymes Samuel owes quite a bit to Sergio Leone and Quentin Tarantino in this revisionist western. Featuring a predominantly black cast, this violent revenge story is filled with quirky camera work, interesting cinematography and a cool eclectic soundtrack. A title card at the beginning explains that while the story is fictious, its characters are based on real outlaws, cowboys and lawmen of the old west.

        The film stars Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, Lakeith Stanfield, RJ Ryder, Edi Gathegi, Deon Cole, and Danielle Deadwyler. It's a great cast and everyone seems to be enjoying playing gunslingers and cowboys. The problem lies in the plot. It's paper thin, just a straight forward revenge story with no subplot. It does moves along at a rapid clip, filled with bloody violence throughout.

        Mr. Samuel and Mr. Boaz make a few not-so-subtle points about race but ultimately, it's just one long disappointing story with a last-minute twist that attempts to make things more interesting. It even leaves the door open for a sequel, that, if it happens, hopefully will be a richer, more rewarding story as there is so much real history to draw from.