Feb. 17, 2022|United States|136 Min.|n/A
Genre: Western
Description: “A Tale of Two Guns,” released in 2022, is the fourth film by writer and director Justin Lee in the past six months. While his previous works, such as *Apache Junction* and *Hunters*, failed to impress, *Hellblazers* offered an entertaining mix of action and horror. Hoping for the best, I approached *A Tale of Two Guns* with cautious optimism.
The story begins with Marshal McTeague (played by Tom Berenger), who is injured and loses his deputies in a shootout with a gang called The Cowboys. Forced to act, McTeague appoints gunman Artemis Hollinger (Ed Morrone) as his deputy. After proving his skills by recounting how he killed the notorious outlaw Tanner Richmond (Brian Cunningham) and dealing with another criminal at a local saloon, Hollinger is tasked with tracking down Abel Cruz (Casper Van Dien), the sole survivor of the gunfight.
The film follows the two men as they journey across the frontier, encountering various challenges before their inevitable confrontation at the end. Along the way, several notable characters appear briefly, including a settler played by Judd Nelson, who attempts to claim the bounty on Cruz, and outlaws portrayed by Danny Trejo and William Forsythe. However, these characters remain nameless and only appear for a few minutes, making their roles feel underdeveloped.
As a film, *A Tale of Two Guns* maintains a steady pace, though it lacks a sense of urgency in Hollinger’s pursuit of Cruz. McTeague’s comparison of Hollinger to a bloodhound early in the film aptly describes the methodical nature of the chase, which culminates in the final 15 minutes.
While not outstanding, *A Tale of Two Guns* delivers a decent Western experience, blending action and drama across its narrative. Fans of the genre may find it worth a watch, but it doesn’t stand out as a must-see film.
Cast director: Justin Lee
Cast actor: Dendrie Taylor, Jennifer Wenger, Griff Furst, Edward Finlay, Ed Morrone, Randy Charach, Daniel Luján, Curt Lambert, David Nett, Tony A. Sims
Original name: A Tale of Two Guns