Rooster Cogburn
PLOT:
Because of his drunkenness and questionable use of firearms, aging U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn has been stripped of his badge. But he’s given a chance to redeem himself after a village in Indian Territory is overrun by a gang of violent, ruthless criminals, who’ve killed an elderly preacher, Rev. George Goodnight. His spinster daughter, Eula Goodnight, wants to track the criminals down and makes Rooster an unwilling partner. But Rooster must use care, because the criminals, led by Hawk and Breed, have stolen a shipment of nitroglycerine.
REVIEW:
If you’ve seen the original True Grit, then you’ll wonder why in the world there was a need for a sequel, but sure enough, there was Rooster Cogburn. Now, it appears this also happened to be a book, so maybe the novels make more sense, because this film seemed like it was nothing more than a cash grab and way to get a couple of elderly screen legends together in one film.
This is another one of those films that doesn’t really deserve a real review. Basically, here is the plot…Rooster Cogburn is still a U.S. Marshall from the old school, but his ways have finally gotten him into trouble and a judge takes away his badge. Being that they’re friends, though, he offers Rooster a chance at redemption by capturing the murderer of a local preacher in the Indian Territory.
The widow of said preacher is devout Christian spinster lady who is just as headstrong as Rooster, yet they have to work and travel together in order to capture the criminals, who have also shanghaied a shipment of nitroglycerine.
If you’re wondering to yourself, “what does this have to do with the original?”, then you have the same thoughts I had when watching this flick. Other than Rooster and his landlord and cat, the only reference to the previous film is a brief mention of Rooster’s horse and that film’s villains (nothing about Mattie, though).
As far as westerns go, this one is quite weak, but I suppose it could have been worse.
The original True Grit had many moments of comic relief, but this one doesn’t really have anything close to that. Well, there are, but they just aren’t funny.
The chemistry between Wayne and Hepburn is real good. It’s so good, it makes you wonder why these two have never been in a film together before (or after, if I’m not mistaken).
There is some action in this flick, but not enough to even classify it as an action flick.
I guess if you love the real True Grit, then you’re probably like me and curious as to what the sequel would be like. That, in all honesty, would be the only reason to even think about watching Rooster Cogburn, unless you want to see the pairing of Wayne and Hepburn. I recommend it for one of those reasons only. Otherwise, it is best to stay away.
2 1/2 out of 5 stars
