Lone Rider (2008)

Lou Diamond Phillips returns from the Civil War to find his childhood friend Vincent Spano cheating homesteaders of their money, property, and sometimes their lives as well. Things heat up when Phillips helps his father Stacy Keach out of Spano's crooked scheme, a scheme that demands Keach's homestead.Lone Rider is fairly derivative, though well produced, with good photography and direction. I can't help but like it, though I wish the straight-forward script were both more complex and lively.As far as the players go, Phillips and Keach are always entertaining, whatever they're in, while Spano makes a good villain, even though we never find out exactly what makes his character tick.Tom Schanley, who plays Phillips' Army buddy, stands out among the supporting players. Although I don't know him as an actor, he's pretty good.The title of Lone Rider is a misnomer, as Phillips doesn't do much riding and has plenty of help throughout the movie.

Normally I'm not one to watch a lot of Lou Diamond Philip movies due to the fact that I'm just not one of his fans and really do NOT particularly like the way he acts. To give credit where credit is due, I will say that this is a good western for modern times. I've watched such bad westerns that were put out with glowing reviews and was just stunned to see the trash thats out there. Here is just one example:6 Reasons Why -- the worst of the worst --Don't waste your time on that one, there are others - This however, is one that was not a waste of time for a western.I gave it a 5 because I did enjoy watching a new western. Its nothing new, no new story line, a Hero, Villains, and a couple of women to make it interesting.

If not for Lou Diamond Phillips this would be a mediocre made for TV western. Phillips plays Bobby Hattaway, a decorated soldier on his way home to the family business and his long time sweetheart. Bobby finds that his childhood friend Stu Croker(Vincent Spano)has pretty well taken control of every business in town and holds mortgage on Bobby's dad's homestead and mercantile. Plus he has wed Bobby's sweetheart Connie(Cynthia Preston)and treats her like trash. There is hell to pay when the elder Hattaway(Stacy Keach)is murdered. Bobby's army buddy(Tom Schanley)arrives in time to help take the town back from Croker. Also in the cast: Angela Alvarado, Terry Maratos and Mike Starr.

In Lone Rider Lou Diamond Phillips returns to his small Texas town after war service and looks to settle down with his family. When he left there before the Civil War his parents and cousin had a prosperous ranch and a mercantile in town.But while he's been away, a boyhood friend has become the town boss and is looking to take over the ranch and the mercantile. Lou's father Stacy Keach has borrowed for the store with a loan on the ranch which boyhood friend Vincent Spano wants paid in full.Spano's moving on a few fronts in that town and in the tradition of many westerns the town looks for a champion and Lou fills the bill.Lone Rider reminds me a whole lot of some of the Anthony Mann/James Stewart westerns of the Fifties. Phillips is playing a part that half a century ago Jimmy Stewart would have been playing. In fact there are distinct plot elements from The Far Country and Bend of the River in Lone Rider.And fifty years ago Lone Rider would have been released on the big screen when westerns had more of a market and would have been acclaimed and enjoyed.But for western fans like your's truly, we still enjoy them.