Plot: What’s it about?
This sequel takes place about a year after the Lincoln County wars took place in the first film. Billy learns that the governor wants him to testify against the Murphy men for stealing cattle in the New Mexico territory. Billy agrees to do so only if the governor will give him a full pardon. They both agree. Billy is arrested for his safety, but the D.A. chooses to try Billy instead of having testify. Billy is not too happy so he excapes jail in Lincoln. Doc (Kiefer Sutherland) and Chavez (Lou Diamond Phillips) are arrested and put in an underground holding pit in Lincoln. They are going to be hung the next morning. The local law knows of a lynch mob coming and in that time the law does not get in the way of such mobs. The mob shows up and takes the two wanted men. It turns out that it is Billy the Kid, (Emilio Estevez) Pat Garrett, (William Peterson) and Arkansas Dave Rudabaugh (Christian Slater) among a few other men that chose to ride with him. The men escape but only after the correct mob shows up and makes matters a little worse.
Now the wealthy men of New Mexico and the governor want Billy stopped at all costs. The bounty on his head is not good enough for them anymore. So they hire a friend and former riding mate of Billy’s, Pat Garrett. Pat becomes sherriff of Lincoln County and he is given $500 up front and another $500 when Billy the Kid is brough in dead or alive. Garrett agrees to the terms despite their past together. The chase takes them across the wild desert of New Mexico…
I liked this movie a little better than the first one. They are both entertaining westerns and a lot of fun to watch. I just wish that Young Guns was given the same treatment in Video and Audio that this one was given. With the new 16×9 ehhanced transfer and 5.1 sound this was a definate treat to the eyes and ears. If you are a fan of the movie then you should purchase this one. It has a low MSRP of $20 so you should be able to pick it up over the internet with a coupon for about $10 and a retail store for about $15. I highly recommend this one for the fans of the movie.
Video: How does it look?
This is a 16×9 enhanced DVD and it looked great. I never noticed any grain or specs of dirt throughout the movie. It was a very clean and pristine print of the film. An excellent job and hats off to Warner Bros. for a great soundtrack and picture transfer.
Audio: How does it sound?
This was remastered in 5.1 sound by the folks at Warner Bros. and they did a great job. While it is not reference caliber stuff it does do a great job of sounding as good as this ten year old movie possibly can. The bass is deep and very clean. The musical score sounds great. The front soundstage is wide, but the surrounds don’t get much attention in this movie. There were no distinct activity in the surrounds, but this DVD sounded better than I anticipated.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This has a seven minute featurette on the making of the movie. It also has a theatrical trailer presented in letterbox and 2.0 sound. The featurette looks dated while the trailer looks in good shape.
