ridiculous rating

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

I have seen this film an actually own the DVD version. It is not only exceptional in its storyline, but the acting ability of the characters completely hits the mark. They come together like they have been working together forever. The film teaches a valuable lesson if you are paying attention and has everything an inspiring film should have, including an emotional pull that will affect even the most hardened heart. Don't miss the opportunity to see this film. If you liked 8 Seconds with Luke Perry, you don't want to miss Cowboy Up with it's all star cast led by Keifer Sutherland! Keifer Sutherland delivers in nearly everything I have seen him in, but this performance set a new high in his career. It is my opinion that all actors have that defining role, where they make a change from the typical characters they play, to the most meaningful performance of their lives, and for Keifer Sutherland, this is it. He completes his character perfectly, and I could not imagine any other actor doing this role justice. Molly Ringwald gives a stellar performance in a supporting role. I actually like the character she plays as an opposite of her status quo. I have been a fan of Molly Ringwald since PK & the Kid, I know, I'm telling my age, but she has grown with every film. It is nice to see her pull away from that stereo-typical Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles, although fine films for what they are, this is a great breakaway role for her. Cowboy up brings all of the elements together to deliver a one of a kind film that holds a powerful message of family and loyalty, love and forgiveness. This is not one of those slow starters that takes a while to get into, it grabs you from the start and holds you till the final credits, but keeps you thinking for days.

I liked this film VERY much for his music scores, his dramatic bull riding action shots and - most of all - for his real life characters and fine role play. This movie shows you a part of America and his people in a very special setting but with very common troubles. This kind of movie you can watch over and over again, it will ever be satisfying. The story is manifold, the moral of the tale is really something to think of (It took me several attempts to get it) The only issue that was not satisfying in my opinion was the outcome. Though I'm no friend of happy endings, this one was a bit too drastic in my sense. Nervertheless - great movie, great work!

"Cowboy Up" was done well. Having grown up in rodeo, I was very impressed with how realistic they made it. The characters and the way they lived were right on the money. The relationship between the two brothers was like many I have witnessed myself. I thought they did a wonderful job pulling you in and making you feel the emotion that each character possessed. You can tell that Keifer spent time in the rodeo circuit and has the knowledge needed to pull off a "true to life" movie about rodeo instead of the "Hollywood" version of cowboys and their lifestyles. good job!!! The average person may not appreciate the movie, but anyone that has lived behind the scenes will love it! Many bullriders that I know have seen the move and loved it

This is an interesting movie--with some casting problems. We find that there is a lot more to riding a bull than just being big or tough. Kiefer's character (brother to the lead) expands the stereotypical cowboy role because he is a sensitive, yet confident, thinking mans cowboy; full of compassion and depth. Molly Ringwald is waisted on a weak script. She plays a women who is supposedly a great catch but she has no patience, understanding, or sex appeal and is a poor listener. In addition, she looks at least 5 years older than Ely (her boyfriend). What do they have in common? What in the world was the attraction for these two people? In fact, all of the women's roles are written politically correct or safe and are therefore drab, boring, and unrealistic (they're too perfect). We never find out what Ms. perfect mom saw in the completely dysfunctional dad. It's hard to believe she could stand him long enough to have two kids . . . the movie shows that he had no redeeming qualities--whatsoever. Daryl Hannah is a fine actress but to long in the tooth to play the love interest of a man (Kiefer) nearly 2 inches shorter and 7 years younger than she is. Conversely, it's encouraging to see men and women closer in appearance and age--but this pair up just doesn't work--in the scene in the cafe Hannah looks old enough to be Ely's mom--which makes a later scene highly unlikely. All in all a good TV movie but comes up short when compared to other quality big screen cowboy fair like Urban Cowboy, The Electric Horseman, or The Grey Fox.I'll give it 3 out of 5 stars.