Upon encountering the promotional poster for “A Tale of Two Guns,” featuring notable names like Tom Berenger, Judd Nelson, Casper Van Dien, Jeff Fahey, Danny Trejo, and Ed Morrone, I was intrigued. However, my excitement waned when I discovered that only Morrone was credited on IMDb. This raised concerns about the film’s potential quality.
Directed and written by Justin Lee, “A Tale of Two Guns” marks his fourth release in the past six months. Having mixed feelings about Lee’s previous works, such as disappointment with “Hunters” and enjoyment of “Hellblazers,” I cautiously approached this latest offering.
The narrative unfolds after a fierce encounter with a gang known as The Cowboys, leaving Marshall McTeague (Tom Berenger) injured and his deputies dead. To pursue justice, McTeague deputizes gunman Artemis Hollinger (Ed Morrone). The plot revolves around their journey across the frontier, culminating in a showdown with Abel Cruz (Casper Van Dien), the sole survivor of the earlier gunfight.
The film introduces various characters, played by Nelson, Trejo, Fahey, among others, but their brief appearances and lack of significant roles may leave audiences questioning their relevance. The plot primarily revolves around McTeague and Hollinger, gradually building towards their inevitable confrontation.
Despite a somewhat leisurely pace and a lack of urgency in Hollinger’s pursuit of Cruz, “A Tale of Two Guns” offers a decent viewing experience. The action scenes, although occasionally flawed, are generally well-staged for a low-budget film. However, the film’s realism falters in a notable scene where an Apache inexplicably refrains from capitalizing on a wounded foe.
One aspect that feels lacking is a classic saloon fight, a quintessential element in Westerns. Additionally, the film suffers from characters delivering lengthy speeches at inappropriate moments, disrupting the overall flow. Nevertheless, the movie maintains its watchability.
While “A Tale of Two Guns” may not reach the heights of classic Spaghetti Westerns, Justin Lee delivers an entertaining film. It is currently accessible on VOD and Digital platforms, with a Blu-ray and DVD release scheduled for March 15th by Shout Factory.