If Seth MacFarlane is anything, he is a very smart man. After writing a pilot for a comedy which would turn into the Emmy-Award winning Family Guy, he continued on to write and direct the Oscar-nominated box-office film about a rambunctious drug-taking teddy bear in Ted (2012). Now he directs, produces and co-writes his latest comedy hit, A Million Ways To Die In The West where he also plays the lead role of the cowardly farmer Albert Stark who needs to find some courage.
We’re taken to Arizona and the Wild West in 1882. Sheep farmer Albert and his unpredictable girlfriend Louise (Amanda Seyfried) are in love… or is that just him? After Albert backs out of a gunfight, he realises the truth, as Louise leaves him and runs off with the snide barber of the town, Foy (a very funny, elaborately moustached Neil Patrick Harris!).
Albert seeks solace at the local saloon with his friend Edward (a very funny Giovanni Ribisi) and Edward’s fiancée Ruth (Sarah Silverman) who also happens to also be the town’s overworked prostitute. Naturally there is a major fight at the saloon and, rather accidentally, Albert saves the life of the gorgeous gunwoman Anna (Charlize Theron). They become friends and Anna helps him find his courage, which he will need when he finds out that she was married to the infamous robber Clinch Leatherwood (Liam Neeson).
It’s great to see that Macfarlane and Theron have a fantastic chemistry, which makes the movie run smoother and more enjoyable.
Such a great reminder that behind many great men are even greater chicks!!
Reviewed by Kirstey Whicker
Rating out of 10: 7