"TRUE GRIT"

First, I have to say I am tired of the re-make. Halloween, Superman, and countless others that escape me right now. I would say some are okay while most are horrible. I think what makes it worse for me, Is when I ask did you see the original, and I get the blank stare. This of course after listening to a 15 minute "This is the best movie ever made" speech. I am sorry but the re-make of Superman does not even come close. Two words: Christopher Reeves!

I have seen the original True Grit starring the legendary John Wayne. I must admit when I saw it I saw it with my Dad and was bored out of my mind. Of course I was all of maybe 7 or 8. Later in life when I viewed it again on TCM, or AMC I fell in love with it.

I must also admit that when I first heard that they were re-making True Grit I rolled my eyes, and said, "Oooh great another crappy remake". As I heard more about it, and read more about it I slowly began to change my opinion. When I heard that the Cohen Brothers were doing it I got a little excited. When I heard Jeff Bridges was going to reprise Reuben "Rooster" Cogburn I peed just ever so much in my pants. I then heard Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, and Mat Damon were taking up the roles of Chaney, Lucky Ned Pepper, and Texas Ranger LeBoeuf. After seeing the first preview I told my wife we were seeing this.

I have not read the book, so I have no information as to if either movie strays from or keep to it. I can only compare the two movies. Of course after reading the previous sentence, I have to say that I believe that both movies stand alone, and I simply cannot compare the two so I will not. They are basically the same, yet they are vastly different. Wyane's portrayal of Cogburn and Bridges reprisal of the same role also stand alone. Much like the old adage exactly the same but completely different. It is impossible to compare so I simply will not try to compare. Suffice to say in my opinion they both played this role perfectly so I cannot compare the two...

The plot is simple. Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) kills a girls father. The girl Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) is head strong and out for revenge. Mattie hires an old and crusty; yet ruthless and brutal even outlawish Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to track down Chaney and bring him to justice. Mattie and Rooser set out to do this only they are competing and often times cooperating with Texas Ranger LeBoeuf (Matt Damon) who shares this mission.

The power struggle between Cogburn and LeBoeuf is great to watch. Bridges and Damon dance the line between friend and foe beautifully. What makes the dance even more interesting is 14 year Mattie adding her opinions and solutions that causes conflict and even brings them together.

This movie has sharp , engaging, Witty, and downright hilarious dialogue. The impossible, dangerous, and life threatening situations are somehow lightened and lifted by they quick laughter that the dialogue brings. I found myself cringing, rooting, and laughing all the way through the film. I did all of these things while knowing what was coming next. The beauty of this film is that I was wondering, the entire way, how they were going to do it.

If you like westerns, if you like a great story, great actors/actresses, and laughter then go see this film. If I had three thumbs I would give them. As it stands I do not and can only give two.