Movie Review: Outland

6/10

Sean Connery was, at the point in history when he worked on Outland, hardly the most convincing action hero. He sported a noticable paunch and the beard of a man content to leave behind the heartthrob status he had enjoyed in the heady days playing Fleming's ruthless killer.

Outland is a space western, which immediately requires me to mention its distant relative, Firefly, a show so good they had to cancel it since that's what US TV execs are like. In both we have characters who just aren't that good at what they do, are hardly heroes and are even less likely to help you cross the road without relieving you of your wallet in the process.

That's not to say Outland is the Wagon Train type story that Firefly and Serenity tell, it's the classic good lawman in a bad town scenario, as Connery's tired Marshal (read: Sherriff) is faced with corruption and drug running on the mining colony of Io. Seems some bad drugs are causing people to commit suicide in various space-specific ways.

Naturally, one good cop finds it hard to gain support for bringing down the status quo and he has to prepare for a set of hired killers to arrive and take him out.

While being atmospheric and committed, I never really feel that Outland achieves its presumable target of being a genuinely powerful battle between a good minority over an evil majority. It is admirable that it remains focused on telling its story rather than moralising or even taking a stand on drug taking, instead focussing on the personal battle of Connery's Marshal O'Neil who is not only seeking a sort of justice but also seeks to prove to his wife that he is more than just a burden to her.

Naturally, being of its time some of the accoutrements and technology seems a it ropy these days, and aside from the inspired turn by Frances Sternhagen (last seen by me in The Mist) as Dr Lazarus the supporting cast leave much to be desired. Connery too is far from convincing at anything other than dejected rage.

Still, I'd say it's a worthwhile way to spend some time, and its displacement of the high noon story to space is intriguing, if not perfectly executed.

Til next Time, and it's good to be back in the saddle!

A