The Kid

An interesting tale of the west, mixing fact and fiction to legend of the Garrett and Billy the Kid relationship, two kids witnessing their parent being beaten to death, the altercation cause further chaos and they flee for their lives, thru this tragedy this incident determines their fate once they meet the infamous Billy the Kid, and the kids take a journey to a future with uncertainty in the lawless west, the performances in this film are quite well done, Ethan Hawke as Garrett is excellent as the weary lawman, another good performance is Chris Pratt as the evil relative was quite good, the movie moved along nicely toward a very relentless and violent conclusion, this one I enjoyed.

I've seen more than a few good western films in my day and I really enjoyed this one. If you don't treat it like a history book, you to will enjoy it also. The clothing for once is an exact replica of the iconic Billy the Kid photo and also reflects might what have been his true personality, or elements of it (at least). I found the relationship between the young boy and Billy, quite moving in places. I wonder if the real Billy ('The Kid') had such a good heart. One thing he did possess, was an uncanny knack of being able, to shoot himself, out of any tricky situation.

It's a MOVIE....not a documentary and, as such, not subject to accuracy but rather creative license. This was a very entertaining way to spend an hour and forty minutes. Dave DeHaan is incredibly convincing as Billy the Kid- and his portrayal of a conflicted, very young man might just be the most accurate part of the movie and it works. Again, if you're looking for accuracy, go to the History Channel. If you're looking for entertainment, you found your movie.

I'm not exactly sure what this film's ultimately message was, other than 'don't let one mistake define you' or 'don't let others define who you are' but I admittedly had some fun with this small western directed by Vincent D'Onofrio. Chris Pratt, Dane DeHaan and the lead kid, Jake Schur were great but the reason to see 'The Kid' is undoubtedly Ethan Hawke. Every time I think Hawke will take on a role unfit for him he proves me wrong. I'm of the mindset that he's one of the greatest actors of the last 30 years to be honest. His movies may not be commercially a huge success, but push comes to shove, there may not be a more consistently fantastic actor working today, period. His role as the real life Pat Garrett is yet another great example, and perhaps the sole reason why I left the theater very pleased.

7.0/10

Billy The Kid is once again our protagonist in another retelling of the tale. Only this time the story of a brother and sister orphaned on the New Mexico frontier have their situation cross with last days of Billy The Kid.

Ethan Hawke is Pat Garrett and Dane DeHaan is Billy who seems to have drawn a lot from what Emilio Estevez did in the Young Guns movies.

Brother and sister Jake Schur and Leila George are on the run after Schur shoots his abusive father who had just killed his mother. They are running from Chris Pratt who is his uncle who wants vengeance on his relations.

It's their fate for the two kids to find shelter in a place Billy The Kid uses as a hideout and he comes there with a posse close behind.

Afterward Pratt catches up with the kids and takes George prisoner. It's then up to young Schur to decide who can help, Pat Garrett or William Bonney,

This is a decent well done western. Hawke makes a properly heroic Garrett, but the recklessness of Billy draws Schur in. Actor Vincent D'Onofrio late of Law And Order Criminal Intent directs this with a brisk style and he has a small part as another sheriff.

I'm sure The Kid will not be the last the big screen sees of Pat and Billy.