The Harder They Fall (2021)'s comments

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Siskoid

Hard to believe The Harder They Fall is music producer Jeymes Samuel's first full-length feature because wow, what a great western. I see a lot of people comparing it to Tarantino's style, and yeah, it has something of both Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained to it, but that's mostly because it uses the same inspiration - blaxploitation films of the 70s. Where Samuel does better than Q-T is that not once is the n-word allowed to be spoken (Trudy wouldn't have it). The villains in this (Idris Elba, Regina King, Lakeith Stanfield) are so damn cool, you're not sure you shouldn't be siding with them against the nevertheless sympathetic heroes (Jonathan "Kang" Majors, Zazie "Domino" Beetz, Delroy Lindo, and Danielle Deadwyler as "Cuffy", a name with a nice Pam Greer inspiration). But it's the setting that's the coolest thing. You never see black towns in the Old West, but they existed, and I love the contrast between a colorful and sadly short-lived new world and the hilarious "white town" that suddenly makes an appearance. Because this isn't just about a black cast, it's about a black world, white people very much on the periphery. And in the final confrontation of this revenge story, we get something that's got a bit of a metaphorical kick to it as a result. And no surprise, but the soundtrack is uncommonly great.

2 years 5 months ago

Warrison

Is netflix learning how to finish movies? seems so. the first few netflix movies I watched seemed fine at the beginning and then fell apart towards the end. I enjoyed this all the way through

2 years 5 months ago

ucuruju

The movie has charm, but it's the kind of western a twelve year old plays out in his backyard. Gunslingers never miss unless they are standing right next to a character the story can't get rid of yet. Women are strong and independent until they have to be turned into damsels in distress to stretch the readymade plot. Villains are ruthless and take no prisoners unless the script wants them to. This film breathes and speaks in clichés. The only difference is that the characters are black-- which the film never really explores. This is not a revisionist western-- it's a fantasy not stylized enough for it to work as a fantasia a la Johnny Guitar or other colorful classics. Which is fine. It's not a bad movie. Just nothing you haven't basically seen a thousand times before.

Also: spoiler

2 years 5 months ago

Earring72

Forgetable modern western, low on story, high on style and lenght. Has it;s moment but overlong and uninvolving.

2 years 2 months ago

TomReagan

So many guns pointed, so few triggers pulled. Dumb. Dumb as hell. All style and no substance. No plot. Just a simple revenge story that takes well over two hours for some reason, along with some dumb twist that makes us want to sympathize with the villain. Up until that point, he was a ruthless killer spoiler

And at the end, we’re supposed to be shocked by his big reveal and feel remorse for his fate? What a joke.

The cast is great though, especially Jonathan Majors, which makes it more of a shame that the film is such trash. It’s clear they’re having fun, but maybe too much fun, as it always felt like they were playing cowboys in a stunt show - flashy clothes, gold guns, and fresh paint on the buildings.

I like modern westerns with more grit (like Old Henry), but I can handle the flashy stuff and even modern soundtrack as long as the story is good (like Django Unchained). This is not. Just flash. Disappointing.

2 years 2 months ago

boulderman

I can see the 'modern' 'compliants'. The music isn't of the time, it's a bit far fetched and some of the pacing and feel is off...it's like a 'Western' and there are homages, but I prefer other recent Westerns. My comments are valid for the entire film but you'll get the gist within half an hour, even three minutes.

I've seen ~120 Westerns, based on the checks given here. It's Good but I think it could be better, too many predictable plot points, clichés and it lost its way a few times. Decent costumes and some nice dialogue occasionally. Nice ideas not well executed. The set/soundstage and the lighting also led to a feeling you weren't 'there'. The editing was also an issue. Can see the Bender influence. 5.5/10

2 years 5 months ago