THE HARDER THEY FALL (2021)
11/4/21 - The Harder They Fall (2021) - 6+/10
An absolutely fun, fresh but referential, tropey western romp. A black centered vision of the wild west, so much so that it might almost be an alternate history, until we blatantly break free of that paradigm (on the nose, but the “nitwit” comment and “White town” were entertaining). The Western ideals and machinations are deftly played with, an invigoration for a new generation - it reminded me of something akin to what the Quick and the Dead tried to do but didn’t succeed at. It also titillated with being lively, action-filled and non-gore avoidant. Jemyes Samuel had no qualms with attaching the genre & Grindhouse elements that feel true to the roots (a big wink to something like Posse from 1993) while also pushing things forward, more so than a Django Unchained.
A Killmonger-esque villain who uses any means necessary to accomplish an admirable dream; a place for black people to grow and strive, a reclamation of culture, freedom, and sense of self post-slavery - it was all invigorating and allowed for a grey frosting to be slathered between the layers of this revenge cake. And a tasty cake it was, with so many characters deliciously embodied.
The acting talent on display is next level. Majors is solidifying as leading man material, be it genre fare or not. Stanfield was extraordinary with his calm killer, while Regina bucks the recent trend of upright moral adventurer. It was also fascinating that each of these characters were based, at least in name, on authentic figures in old West history. Giving their names a spoken and lived in validity and vitality is worth it in and of itself.
The violent content is around DU, so definitely not to Bone Tomahawk extents, but it still might be a bit much for less blood-thirsty audiences. That not withstanding, HTH was a damn fun genre revelry.