Seth MacFarlane, the mastermind behind Family Guy, American Dad, and the 2012 hit Ted, is back with his signature brand of comedy. This time he tackles the old west with his new movie A Million Ways to Die in the West. Set in 1882 Arizona, Albert Stark (MacFarlane) a sheep farmer who lacks courage, loses his beloved girlfriend Louise (Amanda Seyfried) as a result in not competing in a duel. Feeling lost and heartbroken, he soon meets Anna (Charlize Theron). Through her, he discovers his inner confidence and courage, realizing his true potential when Anna’s husband, infamous outlaw Clinch Leatherwood (Liam Neeson), arrives in town seeking retribution for Stark’s relationship with his wife. Thus all kinds of gross comedy ensue.
It’s gross, raunchy, and with its explicitly dirty dialogue, is one more example of MacFarlane’s brand of humor, which he has made millions from. Even though the movie is set in the old west, it never once feels like a western. It’s more of a modern day “boy meets girl”, “boy loses girl”, and “boy meets new girl” story set against a backdrop of the old west and filled out with other clichéd examples from such a specific genre: old salon gags, horse riding, outlaws, town dance, etc. Of course, here it’s turned up to eleven on the comedy/gross meter. But that’s why MacFarlane fans go, so on that level, the movie was a major success.
The core of the film is about a man who feels underappreciated and out of place in the old west and has found his one light, Louise. But she wants more of a man. How Stark deals with his rejection is getting drunk with his best friend Edward (Giovanni Ribisi) and his girlfriend, Ruth (Sarah Silverman). Not knowing what to do, he soon meets Anna, who shows him the love and appreciation he has needed to see his own potential.
Each character is thought out and well rounded. Each have their own little arc and are fully developed. You’re never left wondering what makes one character tic verses the other. The writers managed to make them all fully formed characters from the start. And when dealing with comedy, you need the characters to be believable from the start, or the humor won’t be there. And one thing MacFarlane has managed in his career is making sure to bring the humor. Your cup of tea or not, he knows his humor and what his fans want.
All the actors in the movie are fully aware of the joke they’re all sharing. Each is giving it their all and really enjoying themselves. You can see it on their faces. Everyone wanted to be in the movie for the fun. Charlize Theron was a nice surprise in the comedy area. Mostly known for her dramas, it’s nice to see her let loose a little and be able to stretch her comedy muscles. It would be nice to see her in more comedies in the future. MacFarlane, Ribisi, Silverman, and Neil Patrick Harris all have comedy backgrounds, so they just come in a nail it. They all know comic timing and what needs to be done to make a scene work.
Liam Neeson would be the man out of left field for a comedy such as this, but he isn’t playing a comedy character. He is the main antagonist, so he has no need to come in and be funny per say. But everyone around him is bringing humor, so he works well off of them. His character is probably the most under development for the movie, but that doesn’t matter. He’s playing the stereotypical bad guy outlaw for a western: Black hat, smokes, hits women, kills anyone in his way, etc. So he may be under developed in comparison to everyone else in the movie, but because he is such a stereotype of villains from this genre of movies, you already know everything you need to know and just enjoy the ride. And that’s why he works so well in the movie.
Now this is a hard R-rated flick. It’s full of nasty dialogue and enough disgusting physical humor to make anyone blush. Most of the massive grossness comes from Sarah Silverman, no surprise there if you know her comedy. She plays Ruth, a whore and loving girlfriend to Edward. She enjoys recounting her day with as much sexual details as one can say. About 25% less of that and her character would have worked better. But, this is why you buy the ticket to the MacFarlane movies, to see and hear the grotesque things he can come up with.
The movie is very funny, bordering on just plan nasty at times, but enjoyable nonetheless. This isn’t anywhere near as good or creative as Blazing Saddles, but it’s a good humorous attempt. The movie has some nice moments, great acting, fun writing, and funny characters you enjoy spending time with. A few surprise cameos here and there flush out the film, making it that much better. If you’re a fan of MacFarlane’s other products, you’re good to go, if you’re someone who just wants to enjoy a western comedy, you may in for a surprise, but an overall good time can be had.