Watch Young Guns II
- PG-13
- 1990
- 1 hr 44 min
-
6.5 (38,790)
In 1990, the sequel to the popular young gunslinger western, Young Guns, was released. Young Guns II once again stars Emilio Estevez as outlaw leader William H. Bonney, also known as "Billy the Kid." Estevez is joined by Kiefer Sutherland as Josiah Gordon "Doc" Scurlock and Lou Diamond Phillips as Chavez y Chavez in reprising their roles from the first film.
The movie begins with an elderly man named Brushy Bill Roberts (played by Robert Kline) claiming to be the legendary outlaw. He tells his story to a group of reporters, and the majority of the film takes place in flashbacks as we see Billy the Kid and the remaining "Regulators" on the run from the law after the events of the first movie.
The plot centers around the Regulators' attempt to make a deal with the Governor of New Mexico, Lew Wallace (played by William Petersen), in exchange for amnesty. The group learns that Wallace has no intention of keeping his word and proceeds to go on the run, pursued by Pat Garrett (played by William Baldwin), who has been hired to track them down.
As with the first film, Young Guns II highlights the personalities and dynamics of the individual members of the group. Estevez's Billy the Kid is the charismatic leader, constantly looking for ways to outsmart the authorities and prove his innocence. Sutherland's Doc is introspective and philosophical, constantly questioning the motives of those around him. And Phillips' Chavez is the fearless and loyal sidekick, always by Billy's side.
The film also introduces several new characters, such as Arkansas Dave Rudabaugh (played by Christian Slater), a former friend of Billy's who has now become his enemy, and Pat Garrett, the lawman hired to track down the Regulators.
Young Guns II is a highly entertaining western with plenty of gunfights and action scenes. However, it also goes deeper into the characters' motivations and struggles, especially when it comes to their relationships with each other. The film explores Billy the Kid's fears of being caught and executed, as well as his uncertainty about his place in the world as an outlaw. Similarly, Doc struggles with his loyalty to Billy and his desire to lead a peaceful life away from violence.
Throughout the film, there are references to the historical figures and events that the characters are based on, such as the Lincoln County War and the real-life Pat Garrett's pursuit of Billy the Kid. However, the film doesn't take itself too seriously and often indulges in comedic moments, such as when Billy impersonates a wealthy British aristocrat to gain access to a fancy dinner party.
The soundtrack of Young Guns II also deserves special mention. It features popular artists of the time, such as Jon Bon Jovi, Brian Setzer, and Lou Diamond Phillips himself, who performs a cover of the classic song "Blaze of Glory" in the film's climactic scene.
In conclusion, Young Guns II is a fun and action-packed sequel that expands on the characters and world of the first film. Both fans of westerns and those unfamiliar with the genre will enjoy this movie's blend of humor, drama, and excitement.
Young Guns II is a 1990 western with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 47.