Movie Review | The Salvation (Lights, Camera, Action!)

The Salvation (UK Rating: 15)

The Jenson Family's problems start when they encounter two unknown men in the Stage Coach they have hired to take them to their destination. One of the men, Paul Delaure, takes a shine to Jon's wife, Marie, who does not speak the language and cannot really defend herself. The interest, however, starts to turn more sinister, resulting in the death of both Jenson's wife and son. The husband and father ends up taking matters into his own hands, typical of the time period, killing both Paul (and his companion), not realising who he actually is.

Paul's body is found by his brother, Henry Delarue, and his gang, which turns out to be a lot more trouble than Jon had bargained for. Not realising this stark reality, his revenge inadvertently brings trouble to the town, and when the gang rides in demanding Paul's killer, it's possible to see the shift in power. The town does have a Sheriff, he has no power while Delarue and his crew are in town, and the townsfolk have some tough choices to make. Delarue is well portrayed by Michael Raymond-James, projecting an air of control, confidence, and dominance that would be expected of a gang leader in the Wild West, delivering one of the best lines of the movie in his opening scene, "a tooth for a tooth."

6/10

Good

The Salvation is a back to basics Western that has a clear revenge plot but with several other factors at play that lead to betrayal and the ever increasing body count. Sadly it loses marks due to the story seeming to drag in places, whilst the dialogue ranges from witty to completely falling flat on its face. The action scenes and CGI are well put together, for the most part, along with the lead roles being well portrayed. Definitely one to stick on when there's nothing else to watch.