A Million Ways to Die in the West

Name: A Million Ways to Die in the West
Genre: Comedy, Western
Released: May 30, 2014
Duration: 116 min
Rating: 44
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Silverman

2014

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 43 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 350 Ratings

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5.2	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 350 Ratings

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A Million Ways To Die In The West

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: May 30, 2014 | R

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Silverman, Seth MacFarlane

Summary: After a cowardly sheep farmer backs out of a gunfight, his fickle girlfriend leaves him for another man. When a mysterious and beautiful woman rides into town, she helps him find his courage and they begin to fall in love. But when her husband, a notorious outlaw, arrives seeking revenge, the farmer must put his newfound courage to theAfter a cowardly sheep farmer backs out of a gunfight, his fickle girlfriend leaves him for another man. When a mysterious and beautiful woman rides into town, she helps him find his courage and they begin to fall in love. But when her husband, a notorious outlaw, arrives seeking revenge, the farmer must put his newfound courage to the test. [Universal Pictures]… Expand

Director: Seth MacFarlane

Genre(s): Comedy, Western

Rating: R

Runtime: 116 min

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Awards & Rankings

44	#44 Most Discussed Movie of 2014

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Critic Reviews

Kyle Smith

May 28, 2014

I laughed more at Seth MacFarlane’s sendup of ’60s Westerns than I did at all the other comedies I’ve seen this year, combined. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

May 29, 2014

An inventive and caustic comedy that really does look like the thing it's mocking. Read full review

Michael O'Sullivan

May 29, 2014

The real problem with A Million Ways to Die in the West is one of editing. There are a million jokes in it, but only 500,000 of them are funny. Read full review

Stephen Holden

May 29, 2014

A Million Ways to Die in the West seems serious about only one thing: its contempt for the gun-crazed macho ethos exalted in countless Hollywood westerns. You might call the movie “Revenge of the Übernerd.” Read full review

The Guardian Mike McCahill

Sep 22, 2014

Spiritually, it's closer to a mid-range crowd-pleaser such as City Slickers than Blazing Saddles, too enamoured of genre convention to reach for the comic dynamite. Read full review

Ty Burr

May 29, 2014

It’s clear what MacFarlane is shooting for — nothing less than the chance to be both the Bob Hope and the Mel Brooks of his generation. Be careful what you wish for. Read full review

Drew Taylor

May 29, 2014

It’s a lifeless, meandering, overlong (116 minutes!) trudge through the oversized ego of its creator, full of wrong-headed humor and inept filmmaking. Read full review

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User Reviews

ilovewwe

Jun 8, 2014

This was a great movie i loved it you will to it was s funny i laughed, all the way t o the end it was not a dry eye in the house it will be a Emmy award winner

5 of 17 users found this helpful512

BV-Swifty

Mar 9, 2015

This movie is so bad, it's good. Everything in this movie was stupid and my grown up family loved it! I had a great time with this movie, even though it's way too disgusting and racist.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

lucianogeneroso

Jun 15, 2014

No, no, no. 42 is not fair at all. This is a greater comedy then a lot tried lately. I suppose the low result on Metacritic resides on the expectation left after Ted, a marked beat Seth MacFarlane scored on 2012 (62 on metacritic). For me Seth MacFarlane is the most misunderstood artistNo, no, no. 42 is not fair at all. This is a greater comedy then a lot tried lately. I suppose the low result on Metacritic resides on the expectation left after Ted, a marked beat Seth MacFarlane scored on 2012 (62 on metacritic). For me Seth MacFarlane is the most misunderstood artist after Will Farrel. They are both masters on the art of trying. If you want a more common laugh, ok this is not a movie for you, then again try it, you might like it.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

shprea

Jun 26, 2014

The primary issue with this movie is Seth MacFarlane himself. His character constantly complains about everything and leaves nothing to the imagination. MacFarlane often interrupts funny scenes in the movie only to say something along the lines of, "See? I told you that would happen." LinesThe primary issue with this movie is Seth MacFarlane himself. His character constantly complains about everything and leaves nothing to the imagination. MacFarlane often interrupts funny scenes in the movie only to say something along the lines of, "See? I told you that would happen." Lines like that ruin the humor and flow of the movie. That's not to say the movie is never funny. There are a few scenes that had me cracking up and one in particular that made me cry due to humor overdose. However, these moments of humor are few and far between. Overall it's a very average movie.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Mattyice

May 30, 2014

While I don't deny Seth MacFarlane's ability to make jokes, because I saw how good he can be as a director in Ted. However, this movie lacked any comedic charisma and while seth can be comical, he can't really act well. The main thing that killed the film was that all of the funny jokes hadWhile I don't deny Seth MacFarlane's ability to make jokes, because I saw how good he can be as a director in Ted. However, this movie lacked any comedic charisma and while seth can be comical, he can't really act well. The main thing that killed the film was that all of the funny jokes had been given away in the trailers, making the movie lose much of the comedy it would have had without trailers. Generally, this comedy was not worth seeing, but hopefully Seth can come back with a much better movie than this poor performance.… Expand

9 of 10 users found this helpful91

Forrestgump1

Jul 31, 2014

What is there in this world that Seth MacFarlane doesn’t do? writer, actor, singer, voice of beloved animated characters. Most folks will know MacFarlane from his work on the beloved “Family Guy” television show. However, more folks (like myself), know him for creating the word of mouthWhat is there in this world that Seth MacFarlane doesn’t do? writer, actor, singer, voice of beloved animated characters. Most folks will know MacFarlane from his work on the beloved “Family Guy” television show. However, more folks (like myself), know him for creating the word of mouth sensation, and comedy blockbuster “Ted”. The little film that could, that film easily went on to become the highest grossing original R rated comedy of all time. So there is only one way to go...down.
MacFarlane is back in the directing chair (and starring front in center) in his new Western Comedy, “A MIllion Ways To Die In The West” a lampoon on the whole western frontier, that severely overstayed it’s welcome. For roughly the first thirty to forty minutes, the film was consistent. Chopped full of witty one-liners and decent charismatic charm from MacFarlane. So much so, the script is ideally the result of its own downfall. Once the premise and characters get introduced, it’s kind of like the crew did not know where to take their film after the first hour. The plot is very thin, and with a cast such as; Liam Neeson, Charlize Theron and Amanda Seyfried, I had never seen more underutilized characters in a film. I wanna suggest the film for it’s fun spin on the old west, and believe me when I say the first forty minutes is pure comedic gold, consistent and funny. After that, nothing special to write home about.

Albert Stark (MacFarlane) is a weak sheep farmer, forced to live in the backdrop of a harsh 1862 Arizona “wild wild west”, where in fact there are a million ways to die. From huge ice blocks crushing your skull...to your local pastor taking justice into his own hands. Even wolves devouring your local mayor..nobody is safe. After his gold digging girlfriend (Amanda Seyfried) dumps Albert for a local “mustache” salesmen (Neil Patrick Harris). Albert is determined to prove his worth and win his girlfriend back. That is until, a new girl breezes into town, (Charlize Theron) or “the big guns” and teaches Albert a thing or two. Little does he know. She is the wife of the most vicious gun fighter in the territory Clinch (Liam Neeson). Just another way to die in the lonely west.

Typically, westerns are an unusual sell at the box office. So I uphold MacFarlane for taking a more risky approach to the genre and making it more widespread, and appealing. The film is shot decently and has a great musical score that only MacFarlane can present. The main problem the film suffers from (as many of them are) is the Run-time. The film staggers out at about two hours and ten minutes … I mean what?!. Comedies (such as this one) only need about an hour and thirty to get the message across. MacFarlane tries to jam pack too much “West” down your throat. Like a dying car, the start is so full of gas..and then runs out ..and coasts on goodwill ..from “Ted” and “Family Guy” ..which can only go so far.

When discussing cast’s, this is one of the better ensembles in recent memory. Giovanni Ribisi, Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Sarah Silverman, NPH and Amanda Seyfried. Seth MacFarlane also showcases his one (of many) talents. However, when getting down to the basics, there is just too many of them to keep track off. Not to mention a boring running gag with Neil Patrick Harris character and his overzealousness with having a mustache. There is a few memorable cameos in the film, and some nice jabs at the west as well.

“A Million Ways To Die In The West” started off with so much potential, the idea, premise and characters. When your watching (or reviewing) a comedy .. the main thing I can stress is, consistency. If the film outpaces itself, it will just eventually fall downhill. This is a hard feature to acquire, most comedies tend to find pacing hard. There are rare exceptions (The World’s End, Hangover and even “Ted”). MacFarlane has a unique vision and entices enough goodwill that should fill seats. The broad and raunchy humor will appeal to younger crowds, but adults may find it repulsive and idiotic. There needs to be a definitive line, and sadly “A Million Ways To Die In The West” never finds one.

D+

By: Nate Adams

Directed By: Seth MacFarlane
Rated: R
Run-Time: 130 mins
Studio: Universal Pictures
Release Date: May 30th 2014

Thanks For Stopping By.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mike_S

Jun 23, 2014

Seth MacFarlane's humor may be funny to some but I find that the constant sexual innuendos and direct commentary was far from being funny. The movie was disgusting and was the first movie that my wife and I ever walked out on.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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