During an interview, guest reviewer Womo Iyegha sizes up the new film Jonah Hex:
The Chic Spy: Can you briefly describe the premise of the film Jonah Hex adapted from the DC comic.
Womo Iyegha: This film is a weird take on a wild wild west genre of movie. Its lead character, Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin), is a renegade cowboy who mystically escapes death many times while hunting down bad guys.
Josh Brolin as Jonah Hex
TCS: So how does Jonah Hex escape death?
WI: Although he was shot many times, he somehow seems to elude death. When I first started watching the film, I expected the typical Hollywood movie, where the good guy lives no matter what, but there is a sci-fi element to this film surrounding the mortality of Jonah Hex. In the film, instead of dying after being shot in the chest with two shotgun blasts, Jonah Hex is pulled into an Indian reservation scene where a tribal ritual is performed.
Megan Fox as Leila in Jonah Hex
TCS: What did you like most about the movie?
WI: Megan Fox!
TCS: What did you like least about the movie?
WI: I don’t think the story line was very creative. It seemed like a typical old western with a town, a sheriff, and people hunting down bad guys. There was also a melding of genres that didn’t quite work. For instance, Jonah Hex is able to communicate with the dead as a result of the many times he managed to escape death. When he grabs hold of them, they come to life and become emblazoned in flames. In my opinion, it didn’t work to have that type of special effect in this genre of movie.
TCS: Do you think the special effects were well done?
WI: The visual effects were good, but nothing special. I think some movies are engaging because they have good story lines, a cool plot, or good acting. But, some movies are just fun to watch because they are entertaining. This movie wasn’t even entertaining. I expected more from the film and was disappointed when it didn’t deliver.
TCS: How was the chemistry in the film between the lead actors Josh Brolin, Megan Fox, and John Malkovich?
WI: Although I was not necessarily wowed by any particular actor, they acted well against one another. I just think the story line was poorly developed.
TCS: If you had to compare it to another action flick, which movie would you say most resembles Jonah Hex?
WI: Jonah Hex reminded me of “Tombstone” (1993) and “The Mummy” (1999) blended into one movie. I liked both of those movies, but if you join them together, it becomes an abomination to cinema.
TCS: Would you say the film was better or worse than you expected?
WI: I initially thought it would be a decent film, but it was much worse than I anticipated.
On a scale 1-5, how many stars do you give Jonah Hex?
Release: June 18
Starring: Josh Brolin, John Malkovich, Megan Fox
Directing: Jimmy Hayward
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 81 min.
Listen to the Jonah Hex press conference with cast and filmmakers HERE.
(Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures)
