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"Outlaws? I Thought
We Were On The Way To
Band Camp" |
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Directed by Ryan Little
- Written by David
Pliler
Starring Ryan Kelley,
Arielle Kebbel, Brent
Webber, Dan Byrd, James
Gammon
Distributed Independent -
2006 - 90mins - Rated PG |
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What really happened to Butch Cassidy? |
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"Outlaw Trail," from
the award-winning filmmaking team that brought us "Saints and
Soldiers," is a throwback to a different era in cinema.
Similar in tone to many of Disney's early live-action films that you
ended up watching with your family gathered around the television
every Sunday night, "Outlaw Trail" is a simple, heartwarming and fun
story destined to bring smiles to the faces of adults and children
alike.
"Outlaw Trail" takes up where "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid" left
off. What really happened to Butch Cassidy? Did he really die in
Bolivia, as legend would have it?
Or did he perhaps survive and return to the U.S. under an assumed
name?
This is the question that plagues the heart of Roy, a young man (Ryan
Kelley, "Mean Creek" and "Stolen Summer") who is a direct descendent
of the legendary Cassidy. Unlike the rest of his family, however,
young Roy is not ashamed of this black mark on the family name. Quite
the contrary! Roy cherishes this family connection and, even more
troublesome to his elderly Uncle (James Gammon), becomes convinced
that Butch Cassidy didn't really die. He becomes determined to find
out the truth about this uncle whom he never really knew!
Of course, things are never quite as simple as they seem and Roy runs
into challenges, obstacles, bad guys and lots of sweet hilarity along
the way. There's the dastardly museum director (Bruce McGill), whose
famed Butch Cassidy exhibit is comprised of mostly pilfered
memorabilia thanks to his duo of delightfully evil bad guys.
When both the museum director and Roy discover that there's a map that
may, in fact, clear up the mystery of Butch Cassidy AND reveal his
lost treasure, well, the race is on!
Roy is joined in his chase by his best friend Jess (a scene stealing
Dan Byrd), his archrival Martin (Brent Weber) and the pretty new girl
in town, Ellie (Arielle Kebbel).
Whereas many contemporary films would have been filled with
mind-numbing special effects, lowbrow humor and hilarious gags of
humiliation, filmmaker Ryan Little gives "Outlaw Trail" a retro feel
that plays on the strength of the characters and the storyline. While
this doesn't work all the time, it does create a film with a
constantly positive, affirming feeling with enough depth and
excitement to keep both adults and children interested.
The special effects that do occur in "Outlaw Trail" are old school
special effects involving human beings and risky situations, rather
than techno wizardry. The results may be less impressive to the eye,
but they are more impressive to the heart.
What ultimately elevates "Outlaw Trail" above the mediocrity of many
of those older Disney films is the 100% engagement of a cast that
seems delighted to be in each other's company. While there are no
master thespian moments in "Outlaw Trail," the performances are solid
across the board with a lighthearted, sweet tone present throughout
the film.
As previously noted, Dan Byrd steals every single one of his scenes by
creating one of those "Aw, Shucks" characters you just can't help but
love even while you're laughing at him. Similarly, both Ryan Kelley
and Brent Weber fill their characters with just enough teenage angst,
rebelliousness and foolishness that you can't help but simply shake
your head and laugh. As the object of young Roy's unspoken affection,
Arielle Kebbel brings Ellie an understated innocence that is endearing
and heartwarming.
David Pliler's first feature film script takes a well known true
legend and adds a fictional twist to it. The result is a film that is
intelligent enough to have adults wondering "Is this true?" while
simple enough to allow its younger target audience to follow the
actions and understand the language. While the storyline is undeniably
basic and familiar, the dialogue and situations are consistently
authentic and appealing.
Production design, as well, is a throwback to the look of older Disney
films, however, Little throws in marvelous cinematography of the
already beautiful Utah setting.
While "Outlaw Trail" may not break any new cinematic ground, it
projects a certain reverence for the hallowed grounds of family films
past. With simplicity, honesty, sweetness and heart, "Outlaw Trail" is
a wonderful experience for the entire family.
"Outlaw Trail" had its world premiere during the 2006 Heartland
Film Festival in Indianapolis. |
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© Written by Richard Propes -
Email Me! |
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