Silverado

Lawrence Kasdan's energetic 1985 Silverado is very much a sentimental throwback to the colorful super-westerns of the 1950s and ‘60s, with their big casts, multiple showdowns, and unambiguous distinction between good and bad guys. Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn, Danny Glover, and Kevin Costner (all whooping wild-child energy in his career-launching role) star as an unlikely cowboy quartet who band together to take on a corrupt cabal that is running homesteaders and decent folk out of the growing township of Silverado. Boasting gorgeous locations, a rousing score by Bruce Broughton, and a tremendous supporting cast that includes Brian Dennehy, Linda Hunt, Jeff Goldblum, Lynn Whitfield, and John Cleese, Silverado is ultimately a buffet western with a little of everything piled high on the plate—all of it somewhat bland. With no trope left untouched or cliché missed, the film today feels dated, especially compared to the darker, grittier, unsentimental tone of contemporary classic westerns such as Lonesome Dove, Unforgiven, and Open Range. Still, this will appeal to those looking for the same values that informed earlier films such as Shane and The Magnificent Seven. Presented in digi-book packaging (with a 32-page inset booklet), Silverado sports a fine transfer and Blu-ray extras including audio commentary by a trio of well-informed western historians (who proclaim the film “the last of the classic westerns”), a “making-of” featurette, a new interview with Costner, and a “Movie IQ” trivia feature accessible through the BD-Live function. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)