True Grit

When someone asks you to explain a western film, what are the first things that come to mind? Probably something along the lines of gun slinging cowboy bad boys, horses on desert trails, gunfights and lone rangers. To me when I think of westerns, I always have the same ideas that come to mind. In my opinion all western movies are the same. If you haven't gathered already, im not a fan of western movies. I find them boring and repetitive and they're all pretty much the same. One or two main characters who tend to be bad boy gun slingers who have to figure out a way to save someone or something while out in the middle of desert areas. To me, True Grit (2010) was no different. 

The main character, Mattie Ross, a stubborn 14 year old girl seeking to find and kill her father's murderer. So already we have the rebellious bad ass character. Next up would be Rooster Cogburn, the lone cowboy who doesn't take crap from anyone...except the stubborn little 14 year old of course. Aside from those characters, there's the other, not so important characters who may or may not help. In this case that would be LaBoeuf. Personally, i believe this movie sums up the stereotype of western movies. There were gun fights, chases on horseback, danger at every turn, potential damsels in distress, and lots of arguing that may or may not have been understandable (i'm lookin' at you Jeff Bridges). 

With all this being said, I found this movie to be a bit boring. Sure it was well made, it just didn't hold my attention. I think the only parts that actually stuck out to me were when little blacky died, and when in the end it showed that Mattie had lost her arm. That was a little surprising. The only thing that i can think of that might break the typical western movie standards is that the main character is a young girl compared to a large burly man with no fears. That was a nice change for once (seeing as i don't normally watch westerns, there might be more with female leads that i don't know of)