Movie Review: A Million Ways to Die in The West

Riding on the success of Ted, Seth MacFarlane returns to direct, write, produce a Western romantic comedy film, in which he is also the main lead as well. While I was immensely entertained by his previous film about a grown man who has to deal with a foul-mouthed, beer-drinking, obsessive talking teddy bear, it's a shame the same couldn't be said for this film. This has to be one of the most unfunny and over-explained 'comedy' film that's filled with so many unnecessary and over-extended scenes I have seen for quite some time.

The story is rather simple: A film that sets in the West around the year of 1882 with a cowardly, pessimistic shepherd who gets dumped by his long-time girlfriend because he's too much of a wuss, later on meets and falls in love with a beautiful, mysterious, hot new badass woman in town, who also teaches him how to use a gun and find the courage to become a man to win the girl of his dreams.

The film suffers from a huge problem: It features a lot random crude jokes that just aren't funny at all. Seriously, I don't find it particularly funny (but utterly shocked, not in a good way) when a guy gets crushed with ice or when a guy suddenly gets pierced by a rampaging bull out of nowhere. Is sheep peeing at your face or finding sheepshit or horseshit under your pillow in the morning look funny to you? Do we really need to repeatedly see a virgin guy keeps on asking her prostitute girlfriend to have sex with him? Do we really need to listen to a guy who keeps on explaining and show that he does not belong in the West?

During plot development, the film also seems to completely forgets to keep the audience laugh or feel entertained. It's so serious or got caught up in explaining the plot details that they failed to include any witty or slapstical dialogues/scenes. The film has so many weird, out-of-place cameo appearances from many actors: Ryan Reynolds, Ewan McGregor, Jamie Foxx, Bill Maher and Christopher Lloyd (what the hell? seriously?) which doesn't fit in the film at all. It just keeps you wondering the whole time why those scenes are even included in the film. The film also features an unnecessary, out-of-place dream sequence brought on by the American Indian drugs that adds nothing much to the story.

Furthermore, Seth MacFarlane's gives a weird acting performance that doesn't seem natural...his character just doesn't have that defining personality for the audience to root for. The film's only saving grace is the romance between the leads. Charlize Theron does share a decent chemistry with Seth MacFarlane in the film that carries the film through the end. Their relationship is properly developed and fleshed out.

While it's not the worst film ever, it's an extremely disappointing film despite its hidden potential. Some might find this film funny and enjoyable, but for me, it's a huge letdown.

Rating: 5.5/10