SERAPHIM FALLS is an odd film, one that on the surface appears to be an homage to the old Westerns, but proves to be a psychological battle for survival between two men engulfed in revenge. There is very little story to relate: Carver (Liam Neeson) with a small posse of bounty hunters (Michael Wincott, Ed Lauter, John Robinson and Robert Baker) treks Gideon (Pierce Brosnan) through snow, forests, mountains, rough water, and desert over a Civil Ear seed of hate. The 'story' fades to a philosophical stance (somewhat clumsily) by the intervention of some ghostly creatures (Anjelica Huston, et al) and ends without much more than a whisper of a memory about the futility of revenge.

Bronson and Neeson do well with their scant dialogue, revealing more of their character's minds with physical action and the power of facial expressions. The mood of the film is in the superior hands of cinematographer John Toll and Harry Gregson-Williams' musical score. Director David Von Ancken keeps the tension at peak level even though the film is desperately in need of editing (just under tow long hours in length). But for a diversion and an appreciation for the wilderness of America in the mid-nineteenth century, SERAPHIM FALLS is a visually satisfying experience. Grady Harp

Liam Neeson as Carver is hunting Gideon (Pierce Brosnan) through the wilderness of the old west, in this minimalistic western that takes place a little after the Civil War. Very well acted by all involved, and I found myself enjoying it quite a lot. At 2 hours, the film hardly feels it and is seems like a fast watch, never wearing out it's welcome (although coming close to it around the end due to the cameos of Angela Huston and Wes Studi, both parts felt forced and didn't jibe with the film in any way) Aside from that, if you're a fan of the Western genre, you'll find much to enjoy in this one. It's probably the best we've had in a good decade or so. To say Writer/ Director Ancken hit his stride here wouldn't be the right word (I've yet to see his short "Bullet in the Brain", but hear it's excellent),but it IS the film that really made me take notice of his talent and I strongly await whatever he has up his sleeve next.

My Grade: A

SERAPHIM FALLS boasts outstanding cinematography from the very beginning, with scenery ranging from snowy mountainous locales to sun-scorched deserts. The landscapes look and feel beautiful and the characters all have that weathered look, particularly Pierce Brosnan who's almost unrecognisable in the leading role.

It kicks off with action at the outset and remains a chase film throughout. The storyline is slender and the back story annoyingly ambiguous, at least until a late-on flashback that solves that particular mystery. The chase stuff is done well, with tension, drama and violence. I always enjoy these survival-style stories so this is a bit of a no-brainer for me.

Another highlight is the film's cast. Brosnan is on good form (I've always liked this actor, just not when he played Bond) and Neeson his match, but it's the supporting cast who interest me the most. Michael Wincott (ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES) had me thinking of a young Fred Ward throughout, Xander Berkeley gets to be gruff, scary Tom Noonan (THE MONSTER SQUAD) shows up as a preacher and Ed Lauter appears just as I was thinking of this film's similarity to the Charlie Bronson flick DEATH HUNT (in which Lauter also starred in virtually the same part).

The ending is a little weird, moving on from the action-adventure format and becoming almost mystical and allegorical, featuring late-on cameos from Anjelica Huston and Wes Studi. It's not the most entirely satisfying ending I'd have considered, as it goes against the heartfelt vengeance focused upon for the rest of the movie, but at least it's different. A good, if not great, little movie.