Colin Farrell, Scott Caan, Gabriel Macht

If you're looking for a showcase for emerging Hollywood talent, American Outlaws is just the ticket. Its handsome young stars, playing Jesse and Frank James and gang, crack wise as if they were...( read more  read more... ) in a contemporary high school locker room. Combining authentic costumes and sets with stunt work befitting a Jackie Chan comedy, accompanied by an "Old West" soundtrack that's anything but old and only marginally Western, the film yields a few enjoyable highlights. Seasoned genre buffs, however, will cringe at the movie's clash of visual qualities, as well as the dialogue, which, while not as heinous as that in Maverick, is on par with Young Guns in terms of non-period flavor. It's not exactly a testament to the enduring potential of the authentic Western that was realized by Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven, made barely a decade before.

With all the light-hearted action and character interplay, it's hard to tell if director Les Mayfield (Flubber) is taking the material seriously, but this much is certain: the Jesse James here (played with effortless appeal by Tigerland newcomer Colin Farrell) and his brother Frank (Gabriel Macht) have almost no connection to historical fact. Nor do their fellow farm-raised gang members, the Younger brothers Cole (Scott Caan), Bob (Will McCormack), and Jim (Gregory Smith). (And Jesse's fiancée, played by Ali Larter, looks like she dropped in from a Gap commercial.) The gang's post-Civil War battle against a ruthless railroad baron (Harris Yulin) and his Pinkerton henchman (Timothy Dalton) seems arbitrary, irrational (since farmers typically welcomed railroads, not fought them), and riddled with clichés, turning the movie's bloodless shootouts into another opportunity for pretty-boy preening. --Jeff Shannon

Flixster Users

71% liked it

40,607 ratings

Critics

13% liked it

100 critics

PG-13, 94 min.

Directed by: Les Mayfield

Release Date: August 17, 2001

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DVD Release Date: December 4, 2001

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Stats: 1,037 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,037)


  • September 28, 2008
    A run of the mill western adventure that was fun but a bit too corny.
  • February 3, 2008
    Probably the least accurate version of the Jesse James legend ever. A "Young Guns" approach, but even more like a cartoon. Colin Farrell plays that Irish brogue, Jesse James (sarcasm here) the same way he plays everything else. Insultingly stupid, and an insult to the great Am...( read more)erican icon. The action sequences are of the "what if Michael Bay directed a western" type.... pointless and absurd. There is nothing in this film to recommend or redeem it.
  • February 3, 2008
    Pending Review...

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  • December 17, 2007
    One word Crap. It isn't a movie as much as a promtional tool to show the word how cool Colin Farrell is or just how lousy an actor he is. This is the guy Al Pacino said is the greatest actor of our time? The Al Pacino deserves an another oscar for saying that with a straight face...( read more). I hate Colin Farrell.
  • October 15, 2007
    A hip, smart, funny and action-packed adventure. A full-on fun movie ride
  • October 11, 2009
    To be honest, it was a real struggle to get through this movie. I did like to watch Colin Farrell, I just like the way he moves. Acting seemed forced and the comedic elements were mediocre at best. The dramatic scenes did not have emotion. Would not recommend this.
  • September 1, 2009
    not the greatest movie out there but it was still fun to watch ,
    it shows us some of Jesse Jame's adventures in his early life in a fun way not like the new movie with Brad Pitt ( which is a great movie ) .
    Kathy Bates wasn't much in this movie but the scenes she was in were f...( read more)unny ..... oh and Colin Farrell looked hot here
  • August 26, 2009
    Yeah right...Jesse James would kick your fucking asses, for making a pussy of his name!!
  • August 13, 2009
    Awesome! Really funny, cool western (even though Ali Larter is in it). Very enjoyable and underrated!!
  • July 19, 2009
    one of my favorite movies with Collin in it.

Critic Reviews


August 20, 2001
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

Picture 1860s Missouri as Ft. Lauderdale during Spring Break and you've got the idea. full review

August 17, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

When did cowboys become teen pop idols? full review

View more American Outlaws reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • BASiQ
    June 17, 2009
    I don't care what the critics say, this movie was a masterpiece. and one I enjoyed immensely! The actors were perfect and Farrell was in no way a bad Jesse James, but the other way around! He portrayed him better then anyone else I have ever seen and was thoroughly enjoyable!
  • kylakohl
    February 4, 2007
    Out of all the movies made about Jesse James this one is the best. I watched " the long riders" and It dosent even compare to how good this movie is.
  • sexylilswainka
    September 12, 2006
    Hottest movie ever! Love Colin AlwaysAndForever!
  • Ch0LiTa
    August 26, 2006
    this movie is really niceeeeeeee

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American Outlaws Trivia


  • Which of the actors/actresses was nicknamed "Secret Weapon" by the wranglers in American Outlaws?  Answer »
  • Who played Colin Farrell's love interest/wife in American Outlaws?  Answer »
  • While in a phonebooth he made a call a collect call from the American Outlaws to Alexander.  Answer »
  • Who played Jesse James in the movie American Outlaws?  Answer »

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