It’s a whole new west.|Jun. 29, 1999|United States|106 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Action;Adventure;Comedy;Science;Fiction;Western
Description: The 1999 film “Wild Wild West” follows the story of U.S. Army Captain James T. “Jim” West and U.S. Marshal Artemus Gordon, who are tasked with tracking down the notorious ex-Confederate General “Bloodbath” McGrath. Set in 1869, four years after the American Civil War, McGrath is responsible for a massacre in New Liberty that claimed the lives of West’s parents. President Ulysses S. Grant assigns them the mission to investigate the disappearances of key American scientists, which uncovers a treasonous plot orchestrated by McGrath.
While traveling aboard their train, *The Wanderer*, West and Gordon discover a clue tied to the severed head of scientist Thaddeus Morton. This leads them to Dr. Arliss Loveless, a brilliant yet legless ex-Confederate officer. During a party at Loveless’s plantation, they rescue Rita Escobar, whose father, Guillermo Escobar, is among the kidnapped scientists. Loveless unveils his latest invention, a steam-powered tank, and shocks everyone by using McGrath’s soldiers for target practice. After accusing McGrath of betrayal for surrendering at Appomattox Court House, Loveless shoots him and leaves him for dead. West, Gordon, and Rita find the dying McGrath, who reveals he was framed by Loveless for the massacre.
As the trio pursues Loveless, they are captured aboard *The Wanderer*. Rita accidentally releases sleeping gas, incapacitating the group. Upon waking, they discover Loveless has taken Rita hostage and plans to kidnap President Grant during the golden spike ceremony. West and Gordon narrowly escape a deadly trap and uncover Loveless’s secret industrial complex in Spider Canyon. There, they witness his ultimate weapon: a massive mechanical spider armed with nitroglycerin cannons.
At the ceremony, Loveless captures Grant and Gordon, while West is shot and presumed dead after an encounter with one of Loveless’s henchwomen. At his complex, Loveless reveals his grand scheme to dismantle the United States and divide its territory among foreign powers, including Great Britain.
Cast director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Cast actor: Will Smith, Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Salma Hayek, M. Emmet Walsh, Ted Levine, Frederique van der Wal, Musetta Vander, Sofia Eng, Garcelle Beauvais
Original name: Wild Wild West