Lazy storytelling at its worst, so disposable it is likely to be forgotten before it even reaches the end.
American Outlaws (2001)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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.
Reviews for American Outlaws
It makes a viewer feel like an investor in one of the banks Jesse James hit.
The latest retelling of their saga is a lot like many other movies. A lot.
I'm not sure how dumb it was supposed to be, but laughing at it -- if not with it -- is a good enough way to spend 94 minutes.
There's no escaping the hackneyed plot or Mayfield's conventional hand.
A weak whinny of a horse opera tailor-made for those who can't quite locate Young Guns or The Long Riders in their video store.
Ol' Jesse James has sure seemed a lot of things in a lot of movies: crazy, heroic, desperate, psychotic, villain and victim. But dadburnit if he's ever been this cute.
The movie has a certain faith in itself and lack of pretension that gradually wins you over.
This plot leaves ample room for viewers to sweat the small stuff, like whether Trevor Nunn's score is more Marines ad or deodorant commercial.
The script is juvenile and the interplay between the cast members is stale.
A youth-oriented action romp with minimal interest in the classic myth or real-life history.
Entertains the way a summer matinee movie should, with an agreeable blend of romance, action, humor, and a likeable cast.
As a western, American Outlaws is an utter failure. As the basis of a Mad TV parody, it is an unintentional hoot.
A Jesse James bio so gloriously dumb, so vapidly MTV that when its gunslingers die, they probably go to Bootylicious Hill.
Aspires to be a Young Guns for the Eminem generation. They deserve better.
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. ![]()
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. ![]()
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. ![]()
More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- American Outlaws at Rotten Tomatoes
- American Outlaws at IGN
- American Outlaws at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.





