Tombstone is a slick, Hollywood version of events leading up to and following the legendary “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral”.

Recently retired legendry lawman Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) settles down in the town of Tombstone, Arizona, along with his brothers Virgil (Sam Elliot) and Morgan (Bill Paxton), with hopes to strike it rich in the gambling trade. Plans go astray with the arrival of the sadistic killers known as “The Cowboys”, led by Curly Bill (Powers Boothe), and feature within their ranks the deadly Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn).

With the Cowboys running rampant, Earp decides to pick up his gun and badge once again, as he along with notorious gunslinger Doc Holiday (Val Kilmer) and others wage war against the Cowboys.

Tombstone features all the elements found in a classic western; a rousing score, breath taking scenery, honourable heroes, dastardly villains, and gunfights galore. Yet what is missing is that good ol’ western soul. The feel of grit at your feet and smell of dung in the air is thrown away for conventional film making by director George P. Cosmatos (who was brought in after writer Kevin Jarre was fired a month into shooting).        

Kurt Russell is good as Wyatt Earp, the celebrated officer of the law from Dodge City, Kansas who wants nothing more than to settle down and raise a family. A fearless man of strict morals, Wyatt constantly declines offers to get back into law enforcement, yet he cannot shake his destiny as events beyond his control draw him back to a world he has tried to leave behind. 

Val Kilmer delivers one of his best performances as Doc Holiday, and had Tombstone been a bigger success, Kilmer would have done for cowboys what Johhny Depp would do for pirates some 10 years later. He gives a funny, bad ass, theatrical but not to over the top portrayal of a gambling, boozing, tuberculoses suffering quick-draw, gobbling up all of Jarre’s best lines and stealing every scene.  

The rivalry between Doc and Johnny Ringo, the cold personification of evil played surprisingly well by Michael Biehn, is an interesting feud since they are mirror images of each other; both are fast with the gun, are educated, contain the same sadistic sensibilities and are loyal to their friends. The only difference between the two men is the company they keep. 

Sam Elliot has the grizzled cowboy thing down pat, Bill Paxton provides the right amount of naiveness as the younger Earp brother, and Stephen Lang is wonderfully irritating as Ike, the cowboy who manages to constantly elude justice.

However, Dana Delaney is a constant distraction as Josephine Marcus, Wyatt’s love interest, which is a role that either should have been juiced up or thrown away altogether.

The viewer will find themselves playing spot the star among the various minor roles throughout the film. Billy Bob Thornton, Thomas Haden Church, John Corbett, Jason Priestley and Billy Zane all make an appearance, and legendary actors Charlton Heston and Robert Mitchum are also among the cast (the latter providing narration).

Oscar nominated cinematographer William A. Fraker provides many strong, vibrant images, the music by Bruce Broughton is good and the costumes and sets are excellent (thanks to Joseph A. Porro and Gene Serdena respectively).

Yet all of it almost goes to waste thanks to inadequate direction by Cosmatos, marring could have been a new western classic. A dependence for the over dramatic rears its ugly head in the third act, and Cosmatos over indulges on  the violence, which isn’t surprising considering he directed Sylvester Stallone films Cobra and Rambo II.

Tombstone is a good film but could have easily been a great film if only a much better director was behind the lens. It’s a good starting point if you want to get into westerns, and much recommended for Val Kilmer’s performance.