The Return of Josey Wales

The Return of Josey Wales(1986)

R
10/01/1986 (US)Western1h 30m
5.7

"Legend has it he lives."

Overview

In a small, dusty border town, two long-time best friends of the mysterious gunman Josey Wales are brutally murdered by marauding rurales. The rurales, led by the beastial Commandante Escobar, head back to Mexico with gambler Ten Spot as hostage. Told of his friend's peril, Josey sets out on a trail of bloody vengeance.

Michael Parks

Director

Forrest Carter

Screenplay

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Part of the Josey Wales Collection

These films explore the journey of outlaws evolving from flawed heroes to enlightened leaders, confronting moral ambiguities and balancing higher causes with personal vengeance. Set against a backdrop of political and social upheaval, the protagonists' personal journeys of redemption, loyalty, and friendship drive the narratives. Themes of masculinity and femininity are also explored, often yielding surprising and interesting results. The dynamic characters and unexpected twists keep audiences engaged, ensuring the films' staying power and legacy. The thoughtful handling of gender roles and expectations highlights the excellence of the filmmaking, addressing complex subjects alongside adrenaline-fueled spectacle. Overall, the films are known for their compelling storytelling, rich character development, and engaging exploration of contemporary social issues.

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R
A review by r96sk
4.0

Written on January 28, 2022

An odd thing.

Following 10 years on from the release of 'The Outlaw Josey Wales', it's difficult to see why 'The Return of Josey Wales' even exists - especially without the involvement of the original's star, Clint Eastwood. It was hardly going to be a moneymaker, either.

I found this 1986 flick to be extremely slow and uninteresting, none of the actors or characters stick out even minutely. Michael Parks is an OK cast on paper, but as Josey Wales he just doesn't fit what we've previously seen from the character. Rafael Campos, in his final film role, would be the one I'd name as the standout if asked, but that's just via a process of elimination.

It's the absolute definition of pointless, and to make it even less enjoyable they continue the irritating chewing tobacco spitting thing from the first film. There are also some ultra amateur swoosh-like transitions used, which cheapen the whole thing further. No hate from me at all, but this is a very poor release from the 80s.