Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

Did you people see the same film I saw?

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

The original 'Stagecoach' from 1939 is to me a timeless classic and one of the finest westerns ever made. The 1966 film was a fair one, very much inferior and uneven and one questions the point of it but at the same time it had several big pluses to make it watchable.Admittedly, when hearing of this 1986 film expectations were very low. As talented as these country and western stars are, the whole concept just screamed of one big gimmick that could easily have gone disastrously wrong. That it had a limited budget too further added to the intrepidation, which had potential to severely diminish the western atmosphere, which ideally should have excitement and tension which was likely not to happen with low-budget.Seeing it, and judging it on its own merits, 'Stagecoach' (1986) turned out to be not as bad as expected with some serviceable things. As feared though, it is even more uneven than the 1966 version, has more (and bigger) flaws, it is a little gimmicky somewhat and even on its own merits many people (myself included) are likely to question the point of it or find any reason for it to be made in the first place.Certainly, there are some good things. Things do pick up in the second half, where the pace is given a sharper kick and more happens while the build up to the climax and the climax itself are exciting and suspenseful. The soundtrack is infectious and a lot of fun, while the costumes suit the western genre well. Some of the performances are good. Anthony Newley clearly is enjoying himself in his brief appearance, while Tony Franciosa does his nervous act well, John Schneider is handsome and charismatic enough, Mary Crosby allures and Kris Kristofferson while not as charismatic as John Wayne has far more presence and likability (also appropriately stoic) than the wooden and vacuous Alex Cord.However, Johnny Cash is somewhat stiff while both Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings look uncomfortable, Jennings actually looks as though he didn't want to be there and Nelson clearly had no idea how to portray the character. Elizabeth Ashley looks pained throughout too, exposing a limited acting ability, lack of experience and lack of connection with her character (which is admittedly not an interesting one in the first place).Furthering hindering the film are in particular a long-winded and drawn-out script that veers on the preachy at times. The direction is pedestrian, aimless even in the first half and failing to inject any urgency until late into the film. The story lacks the fun and tension of especially the 1939 film, and lacks the necessary grit too making everything feel bland. It also really struggles to come to life in the first half, although improving in the climax and its build up. The limitations in budget hurt 'Stagecoach' (1986) also, with a choppy and drab look that was crying out for more majestic sweep and the production design looking like it was constructed in haste. This is sad because the scenery is actually quite nice.On the whole, definitely could have been much worse but just didn't see the point. Interesting to see so many country and western stars together, who are very talented at what they do in their own way, but some fare significantly better than others while others flounder. 4/10 Bethany Cox

(SPOILERS THROUGHOUT)I recently read an article concerning the movie, then watched it. I must agree with the article. It mentions how the actors/singers were extremely dissapointed in the script when they did the movie. I heartily agree. The base story is all right for your typical western. It involves the trials and tribulations of a particular stagecoach run. Almost every person on the coach, their lives somehow become intertwined with the other's, in more ways than just the ride. Some of the characters are "famous" from the old west (Doc Holliday, Ringo), and others are general cardboard cutouts of people we've seen in other westerns (the gambler, the marshal, the soiled dove, the helpless lady, the "greedy one"). I personally thought that was fine. However, it went downhill with the SCRIPT ITSELF. I've never heard more long, drawn-out, windy speeches in my life! Almost everyone has some speech that, when spoken, means you're supposed to drop everything and listen in awe. Each speech is supposed to be some moral awakener. What's worse? Every other line spoken is one of those speeches! I will give the movie credit though-there are some funny parts. (SPOILER) The best: the Marshall and stagedriver debating who will talk to Doc about a certain matter (watch the movie and find out!) I also enjoyed seeing some of my favorite singers/actors together. I'll never get enough of the Highwaymen (may Mr. Cash and Mr. Jennings rest in peace). Overall (out of 10): 5. 0 for the speeches, 5 for the rest.

With great country stars like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Krisofferson, and Waylon Jennings; not to mention June Carter Cash and not having one good song makes about as much sense as Harrison Ford, Kevin Costner, Tom Hanks and Tom Cruise hosting the Grand Old Opera. The only one of the four who can really act is Willie. If it would have been more like "Red Headed Stranger," with a few songs like "Red man don't take my scalp," "Forty miles to water," or "My butt gets sore in this old stagecoach," would have helped. This remake of the great, classic, John Ford original was a total failure. Mostly for the reason given above. I believe a great movie cannot be remade. This is proof.

Some movies just shouldn't be remade. Gone With the Wind, Casablanca . . . and Stagecoach. For some reason, though, Hollywood can't keep its hands off it. It was remade (badly) in 1966, and this one is even worse. It looks like a bunch of wannabe cowboys with some money decided they could make a western better than John Ford could (Willie Nelson was the executive producer of this), and they couldn't possibly have been more wrong. Everything, absolutely EVERYTHING, about this movie is pathetic. Ted Post is normally a first-rate director, especially of westerns (he did most of the "Rawhide" series with Clint Eastwood), but he either had a really bad day, or (what seems to be more likely) everyone in the cast simply ignored what he told them; there doesn't appear to be any discipline at all in this film. Everybody keeps trying to out-ham everyone else, or they're either so laid-back they're practically comatose. The photography isn't particularly good, the editing is horrendous, the scenery around Old Tucson (where this was shot) is completely wasted . . . and on and on. A really sad waste of time and money. Skip it.