Film Review: A Million Ways to Die in the West

A Million Ways to Die in the West. Rated MA15+ (strong sexual references, crude humour and comedic violence). 116 minutes. Directed by Seth MacFarlane. Written by Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild.

Verdict: Seth MacFarlane rides again.

A Million Ways to Die in the West, like many of Hollywood’s recent attempts at comedy, is largely a hit and miss affair. Albert (MacFarlane) is a well-meaning, sheep farmer on the fringes of Old Stump, whose aspirational girlfriend Louise (Amanda Seyfried) dumps him for the town’s rich and pompous moustachier Foy (Neil Patrick Harris). When he meets Anna (Charlize Theron), the wife of the abusive, murderous outlaw Clinch Leatherwood (Liam Neeson), Albert accepts Anna’s offer to help him win back the girl of his dreams.

Best known as the voice of Family Guy’s Peter, Brian and Stewie Griffin, A Million Ways to Die in the West is MacFarlane’s debut in front of the camera (he also produces and directs). And while there is no doubting the appeal of his self-deprecating charm and charisma as a performer, his humour has always been an acquired taste. Ted (2012), which MacFarlane voiced, wrote and directed, went on to become the most commercially successful R-rated comedy in the history of cinema. So it is hardly surprising that he should be given another opportunity to rake in the big box office bucks.

As we have come to expect, there are spectacular examples of bad taste and smut, and the easily-offended advocates of political correctness will be apoplectic with rage in no time at all. Cinematographer Michael Barrett (Ted, Zookeeper) photographs it all beautifully, which helps enormously, and Joel McNeely’s lavish score is great to experience in the cinema.

It’s just a real shame that the endless array of jokes are so cheap, and that the moments of genuine wit and cleverness are so limited.

This review was commissioned by the West Australian Newspaper Group.