THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 17, 1995 TAG: 9502170078
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER BENTON, TEENOLOGY MOVIE CRITIC
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
IN THE FORSAKEN town called Redemption, overrun and governed by outlaws, there are two types of people: ``The Quick and the Dead.'' Onto the desolate, dusty street falls the shadow of a lone rider. The townsfolk realize the new gunslinger is a woman. She's dirty, road weary and not riding side-saddle.
Sharon Stone, who stars in and co-produced ``The Quick and the Dead,'' definitely changed her look with this movie. She plays a woman with a mission who rides into town just in time for a celebrated quick-draw contest.
Her competitors in the duel include the Oscar nominated Leonardo DiCaprio, who plays a cocky, wisecracking ``Kid''; Australian actor Russell Crowe as a tortured priest; and Gene Hackman as the evil ``marshal'' of Redemption. Filling is the usual menagerie of outlaws, cowboys, poker-players, brothel women and other varmints.
With this role, Stone proves she is a serious actress capable of making a film with no steamy love scenes. She portrays her character as hard-edged yet lets the audience see her tension and apprehension at just the right time.
DiCaprio, Hackman and Crowe are equally good, each playing his part to the highest caliber.
Unlike contemporary Westerns such as ``Young Guns'' or ``Bad Girls,'' ``The Quick and the Dead'' returns to the style of John Wayne classics that is the only way to do a Western.
It has all the glory and power of those early Westerns, plus a twist: A woman hero who cleans up the town. MEMO: ``The Quick and the Dead'' is rated R. Those under 17 must be
accompanied by a parent or guardian. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Jennifer Benton is a Lakeland High senior
MURRAY CLOSE/TriStar Pictures
Sharon Stone is a mysterious woman bent on revenge.
by CNB