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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is an epic Western that follows the classic genre closely. The main aspect that places the film into the revisionist category is that its filmed location is in Spain. Without the familiar landscapes of home, the film loses its idealistic patriotism. Although this film is just as epic without it, focusing on the morals and motives of the characters.

The three main characters ("the good," "the bad," and "the ugly") are all introduced in the beginning half with text and a freeze frame on their face. Before they are completely introduced with their title, the director shows a situation they are in to help portray thei character.

When "Blondie" (Clint Eastwood) is introduced, he has already been seen saving Tuco (the ugly) in order to turn him into the sheriff for a reward. He then watches from far away to see Tuco get hanged. But as they hanging proceeds, Blondie shoots the rope so it breaks and Tuco runs free...The "good guy" is saving the criminal?

Falling away from the classic Western's virtuous and simple hero, this new hero has more questionable morals. His way is more difficult to figure out. Yet, through the music, and his actions and his speech, the audience trusts him. He is technically doing wrong by conning the government out of money for the rewards and helping a criminal escape, but we know that he is just and heroic.

Why I Hate Hollywood

The latest movie I saw was titled Never Back Down, which I rented with my sister and her friend because they really wanted to see Cam Gigandet (Kevin Volchok from The O.C.) and Sean Farris (Sleepover). Okay.

In the beginning they establish Jake as the new kid from Atlanta, expelled for a severe fight back at his old school. He only got in that fight because someone ill-mentioned his dad, who died driving drunk with Jake in the passenger seat. It's tearing their family apart!!

His first day at school is typical, at a large high school with not so friendly peers. He meets a pretty blonde, saves her from the teacher's scolding. On his way home, he sees a small group of people fighting and begins to step in only to be told to "back off" because it's a thing they do.

His second day one of the kids he saw fighting talks to him, fills him in on their ways. The blonde girl invites him to a party, "So, I'll see you there?"

Then I couldn't take the movie seriously anymore because of the next scene. He shows up to the party which looked nicer than a hotel space. Outdoor pool, lights roped around everywhere like it was a festival. Huge balcony tops and common rooms, with a bar at the middle. Every girl in a bikini. No way is that someone's house. Highschool? Parents? Let's keep it real, now.

So he's making his way in and the really cocky dude, who was also one of those fighters, shows him around. Then when they step outside, he asks him if he's ready to fight because that is why they invited him. They all want to see if the new kid can defeat their best... talk about ridiculous.

"I don't want to fight you."

"Then why are you here?"

He looks over to the girl.

"Oh," and the dude walks over to her and kisses her and says, "This is awkward."

As he is about to leave, the dude/jerk says, "What I can't understand is...why you were in the passenger seat, and not the driver's..." igniting Jake's rage.

So then the dude basically ends up kicking his ass, humiliating him in front of everyone.

Done. It was like reading crystal ball. I didn't even need to pay attention to the rest of the movie.

1) He needs to reclaim his dignity

2) He must heal things with his family

3) He has to get better at fighting

4) Getting better at fighting will win over the girl

5) He will learn to "never back down"

Hollywood makes movies like this all the time. And they go no where except to the Blockbuster shelves. So much time, money, and energy wasted. Why do they continue to make mediocre films and what's the point. Why don't you make a spectacular film if you have the power to?

It wasn't terrible. It was entertaining and well-casted. It just wasn't original. Or realistic. No whole school community is obsessed with watching a fight, or having secret fight clubs, or planning certain fights at parties just for the sake of a fight.

Lastly, the moral or main message or theme... was exactly the title. Clever.

Bravo, I think you should spend millions on a sequel.