A Million Ways to Die in the West – Film Review
This is cheeky chap Seth MacFarlane’s second major movie, following his first comedy Ted which came out in 2012. I watched A Million Ways to Die in the West over the weekend (whilst the rest of the world was watching a little known movie by Chris Nolan?) and though I had no major preconceptions – I assumed it would be a light hearted romp with some cheeky chap Seth MacFarlane style jokes – there really is hardly anything to say other than, yeah – it was alright.
Unfortunately the mediocre term ‘alright’ is really the best way to describe this movie which is in no way horrible but at the same time, continually misses the mark for gut wrenching laughter. Ted was better. Trust me. And it’s not exactly like Ted was the best comedy movie ever. Wow I sound like a bitch. But it’s still true!
So the story follows Albert (Seth MacFarlane) who is a nice, amicable and occasionally witty guy – if whingey at times, as he tries to win back ex-girlfriend Louise (Amanda Seyfried) by most popular western method – a gun dual. Friends, acquaintances, bandits, flirting, sheep and other hysterical shenanigans make up the rest of the TWO HOUR film.
It’s a nice enough premise and the characters are on the whole quite likable. There’s a decent and large array of actors and actresses to hold the show together though must be said not the greatest assembly of ‘comedy actors’. Charlize Theron is beautiful and talented and all that but she’s not funny in the slightest. And I’m saying that after seeing her on the Graham Norton show. Gee whizz, no wonder she dated Sean Penn.
Anyway. Neil Patrick Harris was pretty funny, even if my boyfriend did think he was ‘that bloke off Pointless’ – actually far funnier than anything that happened in the movie. Still have fond memories of him saying that. And there are some amusing references to other movies, celebrity cameos to spot (Ryan Reynolds obvs) and luckily, hardly any musical numbers at all.
But whilst a lot of negativity has been put on the quality of jokes – which many viewers found too immature or, rather surprisingly, too racist (huh?) – I just thought they weren’t that funny.
Obviously it was immature in places, this is Seth MacFarlane we’re talking about – haven’t you seen Family Guy? But not ALL the laughs were borne from toilet humour type gags and much of the script was trying to be witty and deadpan. I certainly didn’t find any of the jokes racist either.
To be honest the whole thing was just a little sketchy and the kind of movie you’re willing to finish sooner rather than later. A Million Ways to Die in the West? One of them could be boredom. I like Seth McFarlane, I like what he’s about. But I think he’s better doing Family Guy and American Dad.
Now THIS…..this is funny.
emmakwall (explains it all) 
Well done here, this is exactly how I felt about ‘A million ways…’ As well! It wasn’t brilliant and sometimes it was just a bit daft. I wouldn’t recommend it to a friend but if they told me they had just seen it I could talk about it without scowling 😀
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Yes definitely! I like to be as fair as I can towards films. Snotty ‘critiques’ generally annoy me anyway!
It was a very ‘meh’ film but enjoyable enough. I doubt I@d ever watch it again unless it was on TV and I just fancied some easy watching.
Are you a fan of Family Guy or American Dad?
🙂
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Yeah I love both of them, they’re great to end the night on, a bit of animated humour is always good. I wasn’t a massive fan of Ted either, similar to A Million Ways… McFarlene just seems to make films that aren’t as good as his series. Do you like family guy and american dad too?
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I love them too! We have a lot in common haha I was thinking EXACTLY the same thing about Seth McFarlane’s TV shows v Movies.
I preferred Ted to A Million Ways to Die in the West but again, not something I’d rush to watch for a second time.
It took me a while to start watching American Dad. I get very attached to the characters and I LOVE the Griffins so much (especially Peter, Brian and Stewie) it was hard to imagine watching another family (sad as it sounds lol). I’m glad I did start watching it though as American Dad is JUST as awesome if not better!
I love Steve and Roger the most 🙂 and Patrick Stewart!!!!
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Haha I know it’s spooky I literally watch both series every day before bed, it’s become such a love,y night time routine. I found American Dad quite early on, when series 2 was on telly, so I always knew it was funny, but I never properly started watching it alongside family guy until about three years ago. What I love most about Family Guy is the writers have actually said that there is literally one female head writer so they don’t write women characters very well. Probably why our favourite characters are the men 😜 I can’t decide which show I love more, both as silly and just as fantastic.
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I go through phases, I’ll watch more Family Guy and ‘prefer’ that and vice versa with American Dad but I love them both! I like the way American Dad is more focused on the family itself and its humour is sillier (it reminds me of The Simpsons style of humour at times) and no nasty jokes but Family Guy is undeniably hilarious and I love Peter Griffin so much haha!
That’s really interesting about the female characters I never knew that!! But it does make complete sense when comparing the shows and say, Lois and Francine.
I watch it most nights too! BBC3? 🙂 🙂
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Haha yeah BBC3 😜 great channel. I’m not sure how many female writers work on American Dad but I definitely like the women more in that than Family Guy. I love Lois don’t get me wrong, but Francine is just fantastic. And I love how the pick on Meg but that’s more of a trait of the other family members than Meg herself. I co ple telly agree, I’ve never really noticed, but American Dad does have a feel of The Simpsons! They also focus on cut always in Family Guy a lot, whereas American Dad focuses more on crazy situations in the moment. I love when they end up shooting each other. Did you see the one the other night where Roger falls in love with Hayley, shoots her, and steals Jeff’s skin? Classic. 😝
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Nice ending line there. 😉
These were pretty much my thoughts as well. Not a bad film but had lots of room for improvement (cut it to 90 mins for one lol) and it wasn’t as strong as Ted.
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Aww thanks Tom! 🙂
Glad we agree, yeah it was nothing bad or offensive, just a bit dull! I agree Ted was far better.
And yeah 90 minutes please!!!!!
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One time watch!!! It’s ok to me because i rarely watch a film second time. Well written Emma.
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Excellent! Would suit you then 🙂 it’s definitely fine for a one time watch.
Thanks Ashley! Thanks for popping by 🙂
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Yeah – this was fun but it was certainly no Ted. Doubt I’d re-watch it. Nice review. 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
Yeah me too, maybe if it was on TV one day or something, but unfortunately it was nothing special. I did really ‘want’ to like it as well!!
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Good review! I really can’t see myself watching this soon though
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Thanks Natasha 🙂
No it’s not one to rush and watch, but of fun of its on TV or something though maybe? 🙂
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Yeah this film got a very cool response.
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Shame really, could have been better!
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Drat! I was hoping this was better. I don’t think I’ll watch this even though it does have Neil Patrick Harris. Great review though Emma 🙂
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Thanks Kim! It wasn’t too bad. It was just a bit dull, you know when it’s not good enough to hold your attention but certainly not offensive or awful.
I think Neil Patrick Harris was my favourite character and actor of all, he was very funny!
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He really is brilliant! He never fails to crack me up 🙂
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yeah, wasnt the boiggest fan, but the cameos made it worthwhile watching…once 🙂
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Yes definitely worth watching once!
Who was your favourite cameo?
🙂
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That’s easy, Doc’s was the best!
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Had to be Ryan Reynolds for me 🙂
Swoon!
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Weirdly or not so weirdly, since I like stupid movies, I enjoyed this…
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I did too really, certainly didn’t hate it but found it a bit dull. Likeable though! And I have no problem with the silly jokes 🙂
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This really was terrible, even after i enjoyed Ted
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It was bloody boring! I preferred Ted too.
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i think it was also miss sold as all the adverts were about him going against Liam Nesson and in the end he went up against doogie howser
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haha Doogie Howser 🙂
Liam Neeson was barely in it 5 minutes!! It was like Walter White ‘starring in’ Godzilla all over again.
The storyline was too sketchy and not enough happened.
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