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War Horse
See it - 2 action rating
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War Hunt
Starring Robert Redford 1.5 action rating
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Warlock
There’s a reason Henry Fonda wasn’t in many westerns. He never made a great cowboy, and this is no exception. This isn’t a bad movie, it just isn’t a great action movie. It’s the “Law and Order” of westerns. The setting is pretty similar to the more recent “Appaloosa,” only this town’s called “Warlock.” But it’s another example of a movie that may have had too many famous actors in it. This one’s got Anthony Quinn and Richard Widmark as well. It doesn’t work when they’re all competing for screen time. It’s lacking in excitement and action. 2.5 action rating
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The Warlords (2007)
2.5 action rating
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The War Lover
See it – This WWII gem is almost impossible to find, but it is an underrated war classic that shouldn’t be forgotten. It has a clever title, considering it is about a man who loves war, but is also quite a “Casanova” with the ladies. Steve McQueen plays a reckless, hotshot bomber pilot more concerned with women and personal glory than the safety of his crew. But his friendship with his trusted co-pilot, played by Robert Wagner, is put to the test when they both fall for the same girl. For the haters out there who think McQueen was a one dimensional actor, you need to watch this movie. It is one of his best acting performances, hands down. He does a magnificent job of playing a man too confident for his own good. Unfortunately, this film is very talky, and there are only 2 aerial battles. But the final battle is a heroic conclusion to a movie that deserves the “epic” label even more than Memphis Belle. 2 action rating.
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The War Wagon
See it – 4 action rating
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Waterloo
A very long movie that reminded me a lot of “God’s and Generals.” Definitely more of a historical movie than an action movie. It’s hard to stay entertained when a war movie is two hours long but a shot isn’t fired until an hour and 20 minutes into the film. Still, the actual battle of Waterloo is spectacular with the thousands of soldiers in their colorful uniforms lined up in their formations. It is beyond me how they found so many extras. Starring Christopher Plummer and Rod Steiger as Napolean, this is a good movie, but it would be a mistake to watch it expecting an action movie. 2 action rating
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The Way West
See it – Don’t expect too much action in this one. It’s about a wagon train on the Oregon trail, but most of the conflict comes from within. So why see it? First of all, the cast is an all star lineup including Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, Richard Widmark, and a young adorable Sally Fields. Unfortunately, there may be too many actors, because we don’t really get to know any of them very well. A second reason to see it is because it is much darker than most films during this time. The ending is pretty dark and there is a love affair that occurs that is harmless by today’s movie standards but no doubt pushed the envelope back in the 60’s. I would compare it to a movie like “Major Dundee” because it has great veteran actors but only a few memorable moments. Rent don’t buy. 2 action rating
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The Westerner
This Gary Cooper western “feels” very old. It has not aged well compared to most of his other stuff. But the main problem is the lack of action. Only one gunfight at the end, and it’s not worth the wait. 1 action rating.
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Where Eagles Dare
See it – Here’s an equation for you: Clint Eastwood +WWII = Awesome. Multiply that by a machine gun and some high explosives and get ready to subtract a lot of dead Nazis. 5 action rating
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White Feather
Cheesiness abounds in this unimpressive western that hasn’t aged well. An emotionless Robert Wagner is his usual dry self, and Jeffrey Hunter plays a very un-Indian looking Cheyenne. But the main problem is the lack of action. There really isn’t a single legit battle scene or gunfight. 1.5 action rating
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White House Down
2.5 out of 5 action rating
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The Wild Geese
See it – If you fast forward through the first hour, you’ll discover one of the best British action movies ever made. Richard Burton, Roger Moore, and Richard Harris star as veteran mercenaries hired to rescue a captured political leader during the 1978 Uganda-Tanzania War. Once they parachute into Africa, the action is non-stop. There are 4 very good combat scenes, and the thrilling finish will keep you on the edge of your seat. 3.5 action rating.
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Wild Rovers
There are a lot of positives that make this a unique western that’s worth a watch. There’s good dialogue, a rousing musical score, beautiful cinematography, and a great acting job by William Holden. Unfortunately, this is more of a buddy movie than a good old-fashioned western. I’ve even heard some comparisons drawn to “Brokeback Mountain,” although I personally would disagree. The story is about two ranch hands who decide on a whim to rob a bank, and the chain of events that unfold as a result. It is part “Sundowners” and part “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” The two men are an unlikely pair, but they become close friends as a result of their desperate situation. The first half of the movie feels like a comedy. The second half gets a lot better, with a couple gunfights and some Peckinpah-esque slow motion violence. Unfortunately, this western is too long and just too sluggish to keep an action buff entertained. But I believe that it is good enough to be considered a classic. 2 action rating
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Will Penny
This is a raw, emotional, and at times creepy western. Charlton Heston is an aging ranch hand who helps a woman and her child make it through the treacherous winter. Donald Pleasance is outstanding as the down-right insane villain who is the father of a family of evil hillbillies. They are the wild west version of the rednecks in “Deliverance.” But overall, this movie is too dull. 2.5 action rating
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Winchester '73
See it – This was Jimmy Stewart’s first of many westerns after doing “It’s a Wonderful Life.” So you could say this was his first western as a super star actor, and he comes through in a big way. It helps when the simple plot is about a man whose Winchester rifle is stolen, and he must embark on a rip-roaring adventure to track it down. The rifle switches hands several times, with action and danger around every turn. 4 action rating.
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The Wolfman (2010)
You’ve probably already seen this exact same story several times, right down to the horribly cliché ending. Not only does it offer nothing new, it makes the “Underworld” trilogy look like a masterpiece. Caught up in the vampire/werewolf craze, this film never should have been made. It is unoriginal, unentertaining, undeniably predictable, and just unfortunate. You keep expecting a twist that never comes. The unnecessary violence is straight from an 80’s B-movie, and the action scenes have no “wow” factor at all. I literally felt bad for the great actors in this film. Anthony Hopkins and Benicio del Toro aren’t bad in their roles, but when “Teen Wolf” is more entertaining, you’re in trouble. 2 action rating
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The Wolverine
4 out of 5 action rating
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World War Z
4 out of 5 action rating
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Wrath of the Titans
Let’s take a journey to a world where gods rule, horses fly, and men wear skirts. This is a fun, old-fashioned movie that’s great if you like action, better if you like mythology, and just terrible if you’re into neither. 3.5 out of 5 action rating.
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