User reviews

It is set after the Lincoln County War, a range war between rival cattle interests . As Billy became a cowboy in Lincoln County (New Mexico) for cattleman Tunstall allied to Chisum , but Tunstall is killed and started the Lincoln County war against Murphy as main enemy . Billy seeks revenge for his death and he became a nasty gunman with a price on his head and an outlaw pursued by several posses . The Kid was a leading gunman for one faction but Pat Garrett, a former friend of Billy, stayed out of the fighting . Then Pat Garrett was elected sheriff of Lincoln County and set out to capture the young outlaw. Garret and his team pull off a hot chase against the Billy and his henchmen . He caught him and Billy was convicted of killing sheriff Brady and sentenced to be hanged . The story is narrated under sight view a young boy called Rio (Jake Schur) and his sister Sara (Leila George) who witness Billy the Kid's (Dane DeHaan) encounter with Sheriff Pat Garrett (Ethan Hawke).

This is an intense and moving Western about a known gunslinger, William Bonney , alias Billy the Kid , the most famous outlaw-gunfighter of the South-west and his particular relationship to a naive little boy . The film gets spectacular shoot em'up , thrills and emotion ; it's agreeable , although nothing new but displays an ordinary pace and with no originality . This is an interesting look at the known story of the West's greatest bandit . A tense and suspenseful Western with a simple story that engages the viewer until the last scene . The film packs thrills , drama , violence , frantic action , crossfire , and being enough entertaining . It's a medium budget film with acceptable actors , technicians , functional production values and pleasing results . Pretty good and pleasant traditional Western with professional direction and flawlessly acted by Ethan Hawke , Jake Schur , Chris Pratt , Leila George , Adam Baldwin and Dane DeHaan who steals the show as The Kid , and he bears remarkable resemblace to him , including his first appearance similar to the Billy's famous photography . A nice production full of charming characters , shootouts and intense drama . This ¨The Kid¨ not the best Western ever,...but pretty darn close . It packs an evocative cinematography , though I miss more outdoors and gorgeous landscapes . Enjoyable musical score composed and performed by Shelby Gaines and Latham Gaines .The motion picture was well directed by actor/filmmaker Vincent D'Onofrio who played a brief role and previously made Don't go in the Woods. Rating : 6.5/10 . Decent modern Western .

The movie is based on actual events , as Billy was pursued , detained , incarcerated and shackled foot and hand , but he managed to getaway from prison by shooting dead the deputies guarding him . On 15 July 1881 Pat Garret tracked him to the home of Pete Maxwell at Fort Sumner, New Mexico, where Billy was along with his band . Legend says that Billy killed twenty-one men in his twenty-one years of life, the exact figure is not known but is thought to be much less . After Pat Garrett was not reelected sheriff of Lincoln County, however he was commissioned a captain in the Texas Rangers. On 19 February 1908 he was driving his buggy on a lonely desert road, he stepped down to urinate and was shot in the back by a hired killer. A man stood trial for the murder but was acquitted. Controversy still surrounds the end of Pat Garrett.

This wasn't that bad. I mean, the preformances were really strong and I found the action pretty entertaining. Because the director took inspiration from Tarantino and Sergio Leone. Where this falls flat is the script. Itdoesn't make sense a lot of the times. Also in the beginning the pacing was really bad and slow. Overall, if you look at it in a technical way it's pretty bad but the way I look at it, I found it entertaining and fun. "The Kid" gets a B.

14-year old Rio Cutler (Jake Schur) finds a way to be a friend to Billy the Kid (Dane Dehaan) when Sheriff Pat Garrett (Ethan Hawke) captures Billy. Rio needs Billy the Kid to help him rescue his sister Sara (Leila George) who was taken by Rio's very cruel uncle Grant Cutler (Chris Pratt). Rio trusts Billy the Kid more than he does Sheriff Pat Garrett.

This started out as quite violent in darkened scenes and no one could really tell what was going on. We do see Grant be quite violent towards Rio who killed his father who was brutally attacking and killing his wife. Somehow Rio and his sister Sara escape and they meet up with Billy the Kid.

We have all heard the story of Sheriff Pat Garrett killing Billy the Kid, but this is the other Kid's story who still needs to rescue his sister Sara.

I couldn't help noticing that Dane Dehaan as Billy the Kid sometimes had the look of Brad Pitt or maybe it was just me. (No, I saw it, too) Anyway, he had a lot of good scenes and you couldn't help rooting for him. And that Brad Pitt look he seems to have isn't going to hurt him and we'll see more of him I am sure. (Hey, don't forget about the very pretty Leila George, too, as Sara, and she can act.)

Hard to tell that was Chris Pratt as Grant Cutler with that beard. (Yeah, fooled me, too)

Notable: Vincent D'Onofrio as Sheriff Romero, and he also directed this movie. He did good. Kudos.

Now, how true any of this is up for grabs as we have seen many versions of the Billy the Kid story, and this was just another one.

All in all a good entertaining Western even though sometimes the violence was a little too much. The acting all around is first rate. It is nice to see that Westers are making a come-back. Well, let's hope. (7/10)

Violence: Yes, and more so than usual. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: No. Language: Yes. Rating: B

I'm not exactly sure what this film's ultimately message was, other than 'don't let one mistake define you' or 'don't let others define who you are' but I admittedly had some fun with this small western directed by Vincent D'Onofrio. Chris Pratt, Dane DeHaan and the lead kid, Jake Schur were great but the reason to see 'The Kid' is undoubtedly Ethan Hawke. Every time I think Hawke will take on a role unfit for him he proves me wrong. I'm of the mindset that he's one of the greatest actors of the last 30 years to be honest. His movies may not be commercially a huge success, but push comes to shove, there may not be a more consistently fantastic actor working today, period. His role as the real life Pat Garrett is yet another great example, and perhaps the sole reason why I left the theater very pleased.

7.0/10

An interesting tale of the west, mixing fact and fiction to legend of the Garrett and Billy the Kid relationship, two kids witnessing their parent being beaten to death, the altercation cause further chaos and they flee for their lives, thru this tragedy this incident determines their fate once they meet the infamous Billy the Kid, and the kids take a journey to a future with uncertainty in the lawless west, the performances in this film are quite well done, Ethan Hawke as Garrett is excellent as the weary lawman, another good performance is Chris Pratt as the evil relative was quite good, the movie moved along nicely toward a very relentless and violent conclusion, this one I enjoyed.

If your not a western lover don't see it or review it. As a western it has a very good story. The acting is top notch and the direction is also top notch. It's bloody at times but it fits the story perfectly. It was a lawless time afterall . If your tired of paying $11 dollars or so to see CGI SCENES, SEE THIS.

Very slow paced Western that seemed to miss many opportunities for dramatic effect. Thus it came across to me as rather a slog until its engrossing finale.

The cast is first-rate with Hawke and DeHaan leading the way. But as other reviewers have mentioned the virtually unrecognizable Chris Pratt, in certainly a different kind of role for him, was excellent. If you're expecting to see a lot of Vincent D'Onofrio he has a very minor role but he did direct the movie.

All in all, I felt there was a better film that could have emerged here than the one that was presented to the viewer.

"The Kid", as in "Billy the Kid". But also the young boy, the kid who has to grow up quickly.

My wife and I watched this at home on DVD from our public library, although she abandoned it at about 55 minutes. I stuck with it, I am glad I did.

I have long been a Vincent D'Onofrio fan, here he writes and directs, and also has a small role as Sheriff Romero. His daughter also has a role as Sara, her real mother is Greta Scacchi, one of most beautiful actresses of the 1980s and 1990s, and the daughter fortunately looks more like her mom than her dad.

The story of Pat Garrett's arrest and eventual killing of Billy the Kid is factual and it is portrayed here. But a fictional story is overlaid, of a boy named Rio who has to shoot his mean father who was beating his mother, then go on the run from his mean uncle, his father's brother. Along with his sister Sara. The boy has to figure out if he will pursue a life outside the law, or inside the law, which probably wasn't always easy in the 1880s.

The movie is worthwhile and good, for anyone who generally enjoys this genre of movie.

It's a MOVIE....not a documentary and, as such, not subject to accuracy but rather creative license. This was a very entertaining way to spend an hour and forty minutes. Dave DeHaan is incredibly convincing as Billy the Kid- and his portrayal of a conflicted, very young man might just be the most accurate part of the movie and it works. Again, if you're looking for accuracy, go to the History Channel. If you're looking for entertainment, you found your movie.

Billy The Kid is once again our protagonist in another retelling of the tale. Only this time the story of a brother and sister orphaned on the New Mexico frontier have their situation cross with last days of Billy The Kid.

Ethan Hawke is Pat Garrett and Dane DeHaan is Billy who seems to have drawn a lot from what Emilio Estevez did in the Young Guns movies.

Brother and sister Jake Schur and Leila George are on the run after Schur shoots his abusive father who had just killed his mother. They are running from Chris Pratt who is his uncle who wants vengeance on his relations.

It's their fate for the two kids to find shelter in a place Billy The Kid uses as a hideout and he comes there with a posse close behind.

Afterward Pratt catches up with the kids and takes George prisoner. It's then up to young Schur to decide who can help, Pat Garrett or William Bonney,

This is a decent well done western. Hawke makes a properly heroic Garrett, but the recklessness of Billy draws Schur in. Actor Vincent D'Onofrio late of Law And Order Criminal Intent directs this with a brisk style and he has a small part as another sheriff.

I'm sure The Kid will not be the last the big screen sees of Pat and Billy.

This is one of those westerns that goes for atmosphere at the expense of excitement. Some directors can make that work. Vincent D'Onofrio doesn't manage to do that here. A plodding, dull and very unlikely plot doesn't help very much. It would be nice to say that, if nothing else, at least this movie has discovered a talented new actor in young Jake Schur. Unfortunately, that's not the case. He is rather wooden in the title role. This is his first acting job, however; so maybe he will improve with time and experience. Ethan Hawke shines in the role of Pat Garrett. I've never liked Dane DeHaan much as an actor and this movie hasn't changed my mind. Chris Pratt is wasted in a small but important role that could easily have been played by someone of less stature. Sorry to say, I can't recommend this movie. I guess it will pass 90 odd minutes or so if you can't find something better to watch, but if you can't then you're not looking very hard.

I've seen more than a few good western films in my day and I really enjoyed this one. If you don't treat it like a history book, you to will enjoy it also. The clothing for once is an exact replica of the iconic Billy the Kid photo and also reflects might what have been his true personality, or elements of it (at least). I found the relationship between the young boy and Billy, quite moving in places. I wonder if the real Billy ('The Kid') had such a good heart. One thing he did possess, was an uncanny knack of being able, to shoot himself, out of any tricky situation.

This film tells the story of a young boy and his sister who are given a lift by a sheriff.

It has quite an engaging story, and it is a little different from the other Westerns because not everyone dies in it. There are even emotional elements too, as Billy the Kid delivers a confessional monologue.

Top notch cast, and good acting. Story develops slowly but you never get attached to a character. Adam Baldwin, Ethan Hawke and Chris Pratt stood out most.

Even though it's too slow at times, The Kid is still a really good western. Vincent D'Onofrio's direction is really good and the action sequences are well filmed and engaging. The performances from Dane Dehaan, Ethan Hawke and Jake Schur are great, with Chris Pratt giving a fantastic performance as the villain. The narrative is surprisingly and effectively unpredictable as well.

A little slow. Could have had more action. It definitely didn't need the profanity used which I feel is out of place in a western movie.

One of the most boring movies I have ever seen. Crappy story and no substance. Do yourself a favor and skip it.

In the middle of the story of Pat Garret and Billy the Kid two kids sneak in.

Wow, you see this film, you see the A List actors that are involved in this film and instantly you become interested in it especially as the film title and topic sells itself. Everyone loves the tale of Billy the Kid right.......WELL not this one!!

This has to be the most boring movie to have graced the screen about the legendary Kid, its slow, badly acted even by the A list Actors, they all seem like they are being paid chocolate buttons as the don,t even try to perform not even Chris Pratt hes awful also.. The Kid himself is beyond dull and could of been any cowboy if you didn't know his role or joined half way in you would have no clue, there is zero character building and you literally couldn't care if he died or not which wasn't the case with the Young Guns version of Billy the Kid where you didn't want him to die. The film is just so blandly dull and the action what there is any of it is forced and looks fake just like some bad Western play acting at a Theme park.

Avoid this film with all costs and save yourself nearly 2 hours and go watch Young Guns again instead, trust me you'll have more fun doing so. This film directed by such a good actor is a absolute mess you would find on a TV late at night when no one is up to watch it or care...Avoid it its total crapfest...may it die in peace.

Labowski69 obviously has no taste

I don't know what it is w these other idiot reviewers and their moronic comments. Stick to the artsy fartsy trash or the shoot em ups. This is a very good film w a good story. Plain and simple. Everyone is an armchair critic nowadays w zero validity or logic w a 3 year olds attention span.

I'm a huge billy the kid nerd so it was awesome to see a lot of the famous scenes like him escaping from Bob Olinger etc. excellent acting by Dane dehaan.. hell all of em were good actors.. wasn't an epic flick but wasn't bad at all. 6/10

What an incoherent, disgusting mess of a movie. The West of the 'Sisters Brothers' not the Coen Brothers 'True Grit' or the hundreds of uniquely American movies that created the Western Genre. Now the west is populated with filthy, unattractive, monsters who do monstrous things, specializing in mindless brutality, rape, beating women with regularity (see Tarantino's 'Hateful Eight' where the female lead is savaged with NBA shot clock regularity, incoherent plot lines, inexplicable dialogue spoken with odd pauses and misplaced emphasis, and in supporting all the trendy social justices causes of the moment. You know, robber barons, the rich exploiting the poor, thuggish police, injustice, corruption...hey...I thought the movie would be about two of the most colorful (real) characters of the Old West, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid?!? Not a chance. No, this is propaganda, misogyny, and self indulgence on a Hollywood scale. But, a shout out to old Hollywood with the Producer's son given a star turn and a bizarre role (invented out of whole cloth given what we know about the "Kid') in the tradition of John Wayne's sons jarring roles in his movies. If you are an aspiring film maker, script writer, set designer, cinematographer, or casting director...see this movie...it will convince you that you can do better.