Jonah Hex

Jonah Hex is a former confederate soldier. His honour led to a confrontation with a superior officer (John Malkovich's Colonel Turnbull) and resulted in his family's murder. Now disfigured and with an ability to speak with the dead he is a bounty hunter intent on grouching and drinking his way through life (in a kind of second rate Wolverine meets Doc Holliday way).

All that changes though when he is commissioned by the US President (Ulysses S. Grant) to track down Turnbull and prevent him creating a "super weapon" (quotes in true Dr Evil manner).

It's not the best plot I've ever come across, little more than a simple revenge. Okay, there is a terrorist style back story of one man trying to take down the USA, but it's pretty irrelevant really. The core of the film is Hex wants to kill Turnbull.

This film has been slated mercilessly. It is a tad unfair as it does have its moments. There are some half decent effects. The scene where Hex brigs back his former friend and Turnbull's son back to life is well done and the disfigurement to Hex's face is very much in keeping with the film's comic book origins. And Josh Brolin does put in a decent enough performance as Hex but that's really where the good stuff ends.

In truth the most accurate description of this film is mediocre. It's just nothing special. Full of potential but precious little realised.

Page updated 25 March, 2011