Review of Walker

Introduction

This is Alex Cox`s telling of the true story of William Walker, a Nashville born journalist, doctor, lawyer and soldier of fortune. Ed Harris stars as Walker, look out also for 24`s Xander Berkeley as well as smaller roles for our own Kathy Burke (in her third Cox film in a row) and former Crystal Maze host Ed Tudor-Pole.

Walker enters Nicaragua, financed by an American businessman and proceeds to take over the country, whilst spouting nonsense such as "it is the god given right of the American people to dominate the western hemisphere". Does that sound like something George Dubya might say?

Video

A 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer, which hovers around average and above average. It`s about 16 years old now, and it certainly shows its age at times. The print is quite clean most of the time, but there`s some grain present. The colours aren`t that lively, but some of that was probably intentional. The only colour that comes across is the fake red blood that spurts everywhere. It looks like the Monty Python "Salad Days" sketch (a skit about Sam Peckinpah films).

You`ll also spot plenty of anachronisms on screen, but the most galling is the appearance of a US military helicopter in the final act. "A helicopter in 1856?" you cry! Quite.

Audio

A DD2.0 stereo soundtrack which is rather average. Like the video, it shows its age and isn`t exactly stunning. At least the music by the now departed Joe Strummer is a redeeming feature - why not listen to the music and just turn the TV off...

Features

Nothing at all.

Conclusion

What a pile of dross. Has Alex Cox made a decent film since 1984`s Repo Man? Not that I can think of. This film starts out well, and looks like it might be an interesting telling of the tale of Walker. But then Cox loses the plot and starts littering the screen with anachronisms, and things that just make you go "huh?"

The spurting blood is utterly laughable, but it`s the only amusing thing. Harris tries his best to work with what little he was given, and thankfully he survived this experience to make better films. The same can`t be said of Cox, as we`re still waiting for him to come up with something good.

If you want an Alex Cox film, go for Repo Man, if you want an enjoyable film, go for anything other than this. One for utter die hard Cox fans only I suspect.