Wooly Boys (2001)

Decades ago actors (and, certainly, actresses) often used to quit making movies, to retire and be remembered for what they've done while being young, strong, beautiful. Some decided to reappear for a special occasion, like James Cagney, some kept their decision till the end. Greta Garbo and Cary Grant come first into my mind.Today the times have changed. After Katherine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Jack Lemmon, Henry Fonda and others that didn't want to waste their last breaths, many actors that have approached the years where traditional lover and action hero roles don't fit much any more not only keep on playing, but aren't satisfied to get supporting roles for new young stars movies – they even make movies where all top casting positions contains their peers. And while Clint, Tommy Lee and others decided to go to space, Kris, Peter and Keith's movie takes place in (similarly isolated) American wilderness.For Kristofferson, as a country composer and singer, and as a "Heaven's Gate" star, this is a natural environment. Carradine also had his share of roles that took him to middle USA, "Nashville" and "The Long Riders" among best remembered. And for Fonda this may be the kind of landscape that he rode along in "Easy Rider".Though their best years are behind them they are still capable of making a good job. They are not stars like Jones and Eastwood (and, unfortunately, never have been – just a step behind, having maybe just a teaspoon less luck to make few successes in a line), and they don't get first class productions. However, taking what's been offered, none of them disappointed us. There was no need for a big theater type of acting, the three men are small people from small town and big gestures would be overacting.Though the story keeps running in the limits of solid TV production, the writers made some unusual and funny jokes (stolen dead body, agent Collins' enthusiasm...) and avoided making the conflict between worlds of a teenage computer fan and his grandfather from isolated farm become a center point of jokes (so many times repeated in movies like "Crocodile Dundee", "Coming to America", "Starman", "Les visiteurs" etc) – screenplay is definitely better than one would expect seeing that long list of writers. However, the directing seems rather slow and too mainstream, leaving some scenes underused and a lot of potentials partially ignored. As it could be expected, the end is too sentimental containing no surprises, very TV-ish, but doesn't ruin the integrity.Anyway, it is always a pleasure to watch those three next-to-top stars and, without having to big expectations, those who like all or some of them won't regret.

Cast, dialogue and relational theme peppered with good humor make this movie a must see. Fonda, Kristofferson, Mazzello, Carradine stand out as friends who love and work for a lifetime not just for a movie time. North Dakota boy is where I want to be...its where country stays cool, computers are a fitting bit of the action and family & friends bond for life. Kate and Martinez bring a feisty female touch to the film that does not go overboard but compliments the boys nicely. Some of the lines have stayed in our house bringing up a laugh and a desire to watch the show again...like "that's none-ya" and "no cussing inside" And though the main characters name is Stoneman there is nothing cold about this movie. We have viewed it often enough to have caught most of the bloopers...like "Skeeleton trees" rather than Skeleton trees as written on FBI Collins pager...but the birth of a lamb and a Wooly Boy makes up for the faux pas.Want to feel better after a flick? Watch Wooly Boys and plan on it. Enjoy

BEWARE: If You supported Jeb Bush and his brother's Terri Shrivo's 'Right to Life' case, 'The Wooly Boys' is out of your league and definitely NOT FOR YOU!! It's film about getting busy living, here and now with dying with dignity when that time comes. 'The Wooly Boys' is set in North Dakota where men are men and the sheep are running scared in 3/4 time! Peter Fonda and Kris Kristofferson are fantastic together as sheep herders Stoney and Shuck. Although Kris has a pretty crappy opening scene, he shines as Shuck, Stoney's 'pain in the ass', yet ever loyal/lovable friend. I hope you'll agree, Joe Mazzello is an acting force to be reckoned with! I thought it's justifiably funny, especially in the wake of Terri Shrivo, to have the heroes committing numerous felonies, most with a deadly weapon starting with assault, two counts of kidnapping, The Mann Act, and grand theft just to get Stoney out of the hospital back home to live and die with dignity. Felonies must run in the family, Stoney's grandson Charles is a computer hacker with a chip on his shoulder and too much time on his hands. But, it is totally worth the price of the rental to see Kris Kristofferson cross dressed in a nurses uniform!

The movie was not as good as I hoped. It wasn't bad but it was lacking. The story felt rushed, some of the humor was too obvious (there were scenes that were funny though), and there should have been clearer character development. I think it's a good film for children and older folks. I had hoped there would have been more film of the badlands and it failed to truly show the beauty of the prairie. For an independent low-budget release it was pretty good. At least it didn't make North Dakotans look like backwater hicks ( ala the horrible "Fargo" movie which was not filmed in nor did it take place in the city it was named after!)