A Million Ways to Die in the West is a 2014 western action-comedy movie directed by Seth MacFarlane. It stars Seth MacFarlane, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, and Liam Neeson. The movie takes place in Old Stump, Arizona, in 1882. The main character is Albert Stark, a sheepherder who has just gone through a break-up with his girlfriend, Louise because he does not want to participate in a gunfight.
Clinch Leatherwood, a notorious criminal, comes to town with his right-hand man, Lewis, to rob and kill people. They bring Anna, Clinch’s wife, with them to keep her safe. Lewis is arrested by the Sheriff for shooting at the pastor in a bar. Albert saves Anna from two men trying to attack her, and they begin to develop a relationship.
A week before a gunfight contest, Foy, Louise’s new boyfriend, challenges Albert to a shooting competition. Anna teaches Albert how to shoot accurately. At a dance, Anna puts a drug in Foy’s drink, and Albert and Anna kiss. Lewis sees them, and he threatens to tell Clinch unless Anna tells him who Albert is. She refuses, and Lewis kills the Sheriff and reports Albert and Anna’s affair to Clinch.
The next day, Albert decides to drop out of the gunfight contest, and Lewis challenges Albert to a gunfight with Clinch. Clinch threatens to kill everyone if the man who kissed his wife does not step forward. The film follows Albert’s attempts to learn how to shoot and face Clinch in the gunfight.
The movie is a parody of westerns, and it uses humor to play with the Western genre’s conventions. The movie also features many references to other famous Western movies, such as Django Unchained and Back to the Future. Furthermore, McFarlane’s writing is sharp when it is on point, and many of the film’s jokes are funny, especially when delivered by the actors.
However, the film’s humor is hit-and-miss. It tries too hard to be funny in places, and some of the jokes are crass and fall flat. Moreover, some of the characters are stereotypical and require more characterization.
In terms of its technical aspects, the film is well-made, with excellent cinematography and attention to detail. The story is engaging and moves along at a good pace. Meanwhile, MacFarlane’s direction is confident and effective, successfully capturing the atmosphere of the old West.
A Million Ways to Die in the West is a hilarious Western comedy that people of all ages should watch. It offers great performances by the main cast, good characterization, and many laugh-out-loud moments. MacFarlane’s film is an entertaining ode to Western movies, and it is a great example of how comedy can both honor and poke fun at the genre’s conventions.
