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American Outlaws

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American Outlaws (2001)

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Reviews Counted:100

Fresh:13

Rotten:87

Average Rating:3.6/10

Consensus: With corny dialogue, revisionist history, anachronistic music, and a generically attractive cast, American Outlaws is a sanitized, teenybopper version of Jesse James.

Runtime: 1 hr 34 mins

Genre: Westerns

Synopsis: Director Les Mayfield (BLUE STREAK) attempts to revamp the Western genre with yet another telling of the Jesse James story. This time around, James (Colin Farrell), older brother Frank (Gabriel... Director Les Mayfield (BLUE STREAK) attempts to revamp the Western genre with yet another telling of the Jesse James story. This time around, James (Colin Farrell), older brother Frank (Gabriel Macht), and companion Cole Younger (Scott Caan) have returned from the frontlines of the Civil War. Their peaceful Missouri existence is crudely shattered by the arrival of Thaddeus Rains (Harris Yulin), a railroad tycoon who demands that they give up their land for the railroad's benefit. When the boys refuse to cooperate, Rains turns Allan Pinkerton (Timothy Dalton) on them, resulting in a family tragedy that sparks a rebellion. It isn't long before Jessie, Frank, and Cole are off and running, robbing banks throughout the state in order to cut off the railroad's funding, and using their stolen money to feed the poor. In the meantime, Jessie remains intimate with his one true love, Zee Mimms (Ali Larter), hoping for an end to the madness that surrounds him. Mayfield's film balances comedy and action in equal measure, making for a lighthearted affair, even as the bodies continue to pile. Hollywood newcomer Farrell slips into the role--and accent--of the misunderstood legend with ease, delivering another highly engaging performance. [More]

Starring: Colin Farrell, Scott Caan, Ali Larter, Gabriel Macht

Starring: Colin Farrell, Scott Caan, Ali Larter, Gabriel Macht, Timothy Dalton, Will McCormack, Kathy Bates, Harris Yulin

Director: Les Mayfield

Director: Les Mayfield
Screenwriter: John W. Rogers, Roderick Taylor
Producer: James G. Robinson, Bill Gerber
Composer: Trevor Rabin
Studio: Warner Bros.

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Reviews for American Outlaws

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1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
01/06/02
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
12/15/03
Alexander Walker
Alexander Walker
This is London
N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
12/13/01
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

The kind of film that will have you throwing your popcorn at the screen in disgust.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
12/17/01
Jamie Russell
Jamie Russell
BBC
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment Comment
08/23/01
Ebert & Roeper
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N/R

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Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY | comment Comment
08/27/01
Adam Nayman
Adam Nayman
eye WEEKLY
N/R

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Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
10/30/01
Joe Baltake
Joe Baltake
Sacramento Bee
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cincinnati Enquirer | comment Comment
10/15/02
Margaret A. McGurk
Margaret A. McGurk
Cincinnati Enquirer

This bratty Western will leave you saddle sore.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
08/17/01
E! Online
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The blandification of the puppy-stud Western reaches its nadir.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
08/20/01
Entertainment Weekly
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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Film Threat
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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

I'd rather suck the poison out of a rattlesnake fang than submit anyone to this drawn-out drawl fest.

Full Review Source: BeatBoxBetty.com | comment Comment
08/16/01
BeatBoxBetty.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) | comment Comment
08/20/01
Bob Bloom
Bob Bloom
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

Provides a strong argument for the been-there, done-that Western genre to again sink back into obscurity.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
08/16/01
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

As a western, American Outlaws is an utter failure. As the basis of a Mad TV parody, it is an unintentional hoot.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
08/17/01
Carrie Rickey
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer

[Mayfield's] incompetent direction leaves the actors floundering, trying to find the point of these aimless, wayward scenes.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
08/16/01
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

The latest retelling of their saga is a lot like many other movies. A lot.

Full Review Source: Nitrate Online | comment Comment
08/17/01
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
Nitrate Online

It makes a viewer feel like an investor in one of the banks Jesse James hit.

Full Review Source: Lawrence Journal-World | comment Comment
08/17/01
Dan Lybarger
Dan Lybarger
Lawrence Journal-World
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
all

Latest News for American Outlaws

June 05, 2001: Another example of the 'old story, young cast' formula that has been more and more common in recent years. Opens in new window
More...

June 05, 2001: Working in the studio's favor is the casting of Farrell -- who went from zero to must have hot young thing in 2.7 seconds after starring in last year's Vietnam era drama Tigerland. Opens in new window
More...

June 05, 2001: Red-hot Irishman Farrell stars as the young Jesse James, who leads his pretty-boy posse against a scheming railroad baron. Opens in new window
More...

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