In this film, Ethan Hawk explores a new journey with his dog on their way to Mexico where they shot anyone at the border. Soon there will be more conflicts through indiscriminate violence that threatens the town of the misfits and the weak at the bloody intersection.
In a Valley of Violence does not take itself too seriously (a great asset), but it also takes itself just seriously enough that it's not empty snarky parody.
It seems that West's quirkiness involves no point at all, other than to create a familiar setting, throw a bunch of idiots together, and watch them act out their violent tendencies to somewhat predictable ends.
In a Valley of Violence is a fusion and modernization of old genres, particularly Spaghetti Western, and though not without flaws, it is mostly an entertaining thrill ride.
Turning his recent slide into middle-aged paunch to his advantage, Travolta allows a glimmer of the charisma he wielded in Pulp Fiction to shine through.
Spiked with dryly funny exchanges and lovingly shot by Eric Robbins on 35-millimeter film, "In a Valley of Violence" nevertheless feels exasperatingly two-dimensional.
A sincere letter of love from its director to the genre, perhaps less risky and hoarder than might be expected, but equally enjoyable. [Full review in Spanish]
West, making his first foray into westerns, doesn't control the tone. Its somber, bone-dry gruffness crumbles to dust, only to be replaced by adolescent jokiness.
