Although anachronistic and down right silly at times, I liked it. It was funny and entertaining.

U.S. Army captain Jim West (Will Smith) and U.S. Marshal Artemus Gordon (Kevin Kline) are both after someone kidnapping scientists. They are thrust together as partners at the behest of the POTUS Ulysses S. Grant (also Kevin Kline). Their investigating puts them on the trail of an ambitious, polysyllabic, spurn confederate named Dr. Arliss Loveless (Kenneth Branagh). Dr. Loveless has a grand scheme to take the United States by force.

This was action comedy with a lot of retro gadgetry. Instead of the cutting edge spy tools you'd see in 007 or "Mission: Impossible", Gordon and West were using the more rudimentary form of stuff we'd see today. "Wild Wild West" gets a lot of criticism, but I liked it. Sue me.

"Wild Wild West" has to be one of the most notorious films ever made. Released in 1999, it's a blockbuster parody of the late-60's TV series with Will Smith in the starring role, which should tip everyone off that the film's not meant to be taken seriously (not that the TV series could be taken all that seriously either, just more serious than this movie).

Kevin Kline plays James West's reluctant partner and he's a wiz with gizmos. Many complain about the "lack of chemistry" of the two stars, but I think it's a bunch of Barbra Streisand (BS). What these people don't get is that these characters are NOT SUPPOSED to like each other. As far as I'm concerned, Smith & Kline make an entertaining team and are perfectly suitable for this movie.

Kenneth Branagh and Ted Levine are also on hand as villains, but it's sassy, petite Salma Hayek who wins the prize for best supporting actor. This is only the second film I've seen her in and she just shines. Salma appears in some attractive outfits, including one with white fishnet stockings, and she's just a beauty to behold.

BOTTOM LINE: I don't get what the whiners are complaining about with this movie, unless they were uber-fans of the TV series and were expecting a serious film adaption. "Wild Wild West" is an energetic goofy blockbuster spoof with all the requisite trappings, like 1999's "The Mummy" and 2004's "Van Helsing." I call these types of films "big dumb fun" movies because they're not meant to be taken too seriously; they're "Summer blockbusters" and solely exist to entertain & amuse the viewer. Knowing this will help you appreciate "Wild Wild West." So turn off your brain and enjoy the ride.

The film runs 106 minutes and was shot in California, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona and Idaho.

GRADE: B

Two secret agents combine resources to foil a plot to assassinate President Grant.

Wild Wild West was a TV series in the 60s, and provided the inspiration for this spoof anachronistic steampunk western comedy. As someone who never saw the original series, I really don't care whether the film betrays everything it ever stood for or not. I simply say the following:

• it is clearly set up as a vehicle for Will Smith (at that point riding the crest of his wave);

• it is handsomely mounted; - it is over the top and, clearly, intentionally so;

• it is mostly quite amusing;

• it is full of action and decent effects;

• the main characters are well drawn and likable.