The Western

I had a lot of different impressions of the movies My Darling Clementine and Once Upon a Time in the West.. one was that they are really well-done films obviously, that's how people still remember them after all this time. Clearly the camera work, lighting, costume, etc. are all really nicely done - but i'm not so convinced that the plots are all that interesting. All of the westerns portray Old Western America - basically our country's history, so it's probably a good thing for students to watch because it's educational. However - this is just my opinion - i feel like the plot lines are so dull. They're vague and it's hard to grasp the overal conflicts/concepts of the movie.
In My Darling Clementine and Once Upon a Time in the West, both, the theme is civiliztion vs. the old west. Both times i think civilization wins - and i think the directors are just trying to convey this theme with out making an intersting story line. Again, my opinion, but how many movies can you make with the exact same theme - civilization vs. wilderness? Sure, other genres have common themes - for example, romantic comedies generally try and reflect on the message that anyone can find love. The difference for me is that those movies usually have really interesting story lines, they're funny, and they keep a viewer laughing and interested throughout the whole thing. Westerns, on the other hand, can leave you very bored because there is not that much going on. So, in conclusion, i realize that westerns are important for our country's history and they are considered classics - but there is a reason why not so many of them are being made any more.
I would also just like to touch on the idea that contemporary (or revisionary) western films can be much more exciting. I wanted to point this out so you don't think i'm hating on all westerns - like for my western essay i watch The Outlaw Josey Wales, made in the '70's, and directed by Clint Eastwood. It had to be one of the most touching and exciting movies i had ever seen, and it was a real eye-opener because it was based during the civil war, and it really made me realize how awful and tragic war can be. So i guess i am a fan of the more contemporary westerns - but i didn't know until i watched this movie, so i'm glad that i did!