Young Guns II

Delivery Time: 7 to 15 Working Days Format: DVD

The Old West's meanest, wildest and hippest-looking outlaws are back behind, and under, the gun in the hit sequel. Emilio Estevez, as Billy the Kid, reunites with the surviving members of his band, but is it too late to save the Kid from sheriff Pat Garrett? Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, William Petersen and Christian Slater co-star; authentic frontier music by Bon Jovi. 103 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital Surround stereo; theatrical trailer.
This time around, the Brat Packers (Emilio Estevez, Christian Slater, Lou Diamond Phillips, Kiefer Sutherland) are on the run from the law and making a break for the border. Sutherland is yanked from his school-teaching job back East and extradited for trial, until he's liberated by the other members of the gang. There's a memorable scrap between Phillips and Slater, and a couple of pretty decent firefights, but all in all this is rather forgettable fare. It taps into the futility and camaraderie of classics like The Wild Bunch and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but Sam Peckinpah or George Roy Hill it ain't. Jon Bon Jovi adds to the Rock-Stars-in-the-Old-West feel of this one, rife as it is with non-period dialogue and long, blowy hair. Still, fans of the original movie may find plenty to like in this sequel, even if it comes across as being a bit tired and turgid (notice there never was a Young Guns III). --Jerry Renshaw