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{{short description|1990 film}}
{{short description|1990 film by Geoff Murphy}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2021}}
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| image = Young_guns_ii.jpg
| image = Young_guns_ii.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| alt =
| director = [[Geoff Murphy]]
| director = [[Geoff Murphy]]
| writer = [[John Fusco]]
| writer = [[John Fusco]]
| producer = [[James G. Robinson]]<br />[[Paul Schiff]]<br />Irby Smith
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[James G. Robinson]]
* [[Paul Schiff]]
* Irby Smith
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Emilio Estevez]]
* [[Emilio Estevez]]
* [[Kiefer Sutherland]]
* [[Kiefer Sutherland]]
Line 16: Line 21:
* [[William Petersen]]
* [[William Petersen]]
* [[Alan Ruck]]
* [[Alan Ruck]]
* [[Balthazar Getty]]}}
* [[Balthazar Getty]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Dean Semler]]
| cinematography = [[Dean Semler]]
| editing = Bruce Green
| editing = [[Bruce Green]]
| music = [[Alan Silvestri]]<br />[[Jon Bon Jovi]]
| music = [[Alan Silvestri]]<br />[[Jon Bon Jovi]]
| studio = [[Morgan Creek Productions]]
| studio = [[Morgan Creek Productions]]
Line 26: Line 32:
| language = English
| language = English
| country = United States
| country = United States
| budget = $20 million
| budget =
| gross = $59 million<ref name=ww>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|page=46|date=February 15, 1993|title=Morgan Creek Prods. Box Office}}</ref>
| gross = $59 million<ref name=ww>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|page=46|date=February 15, 1993|title=Morgan Creek Prods. Box Office}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Young Guns II''''' is a 1990 American [[Western (genre)|Western]] film and a sequel to ''[[Young Guns (film)|Young Guns]]'' (1988). It stars [[Emilio Estevez]], [[Kiefer Sutherland]], [[Lou Diamond Phillips]], and [[Christian Slater]], and features [[William Petersen]] as [[Pat Garrett]]. It was written and produced by [[John Fusco]] and directed by [[Geoff Murphy]].
'''''Young Guns II''''' is a 1990 American [[Western (genre)|Western]] [[action film]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/young-guns-ii-film-qxnzzxq6vlgtnjq5mjmx|title=Young Guns II|website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]}}</ref> and a sequel to ''[[Young Guns (film)|Young Guns]]'' (1988). It stars [[Emilio Estevez]], [[Kiefer Sutherland]], [[Lou Diamond Phillips]], and [[Christian Slater]], and features [[William Petersen]] as [[Pat Garrett]]. It was written by [[John Fusco]] and directed by [[Geoff Murphy]].


It follows the life of [[Billy the Kid]] (played by Emilio Estevez), in the years following the [[Lincoln County War]] in which Billy was part of "The Regulators"&nbsp;– a group of around six highly skilled gunmen avenging the death of [[John Tunstall]]&nbsp;– and the years leading up to Billy's documented death. The film, however, is told by [[Ollie P. Roberts|Brushy Bill Roberts]], a man who in 1950 appeared claiming to be the real Billy the Kid.
It follows the life of [[Billy the Kid]], played by Emilio Estevez, in the years following the [[Lincoln County War]] in which Billy was part of "The Regulators"&nbsp;– a group of around six highly skilled gunmen avenging the death of [[John Tunstall]]&nbsp;– and the years leading up to Billy's documented death. The film is told by [[Ollie P. Roberts|Brushy Bill Roberts]], a man who in 1950 appeared claiming to be the real Billy the Kid.


While the film takes some creative license, it does show some of the main events leading up to Billy's documented death, including his talks with Governor [[Lew Wallace]], his capture by friend-turned-foe Pat Garrett, his trial, and his subsequent escape in which he killed two deputies.
While the film takes some creative license, it does show some of the main events leading up to Billy's documented death, including his talks with Governor [[Lew Wallace]], his capture by friend-turned-foe Sheriff Pat Garrett, his trial and his subsequent escape in which he killed two deputies.


==Plot==
==Plot==
In 1950, attorney Charles Phalen is contacted by an elderly man named "Brushy Bill" Roberts. Brushy Bill tells Phalen that he is dying and wants to receive a pardon that he was promised 70 years before by the governor of [[New Mexico Territory|New Mexico]], claiming that he is really William H. Bonney aka "Billy The Kid", whom "everyone" knows to have been shot and killed by [[Pat Garrett]] in 1881. Phalen then asks if Bill has any proof that he is the famous outlaw.
In 1950, attorney Charles Phalen is contacted by elderly "Brushy Bill" Roberts, who seeks a pardon he was promised 70 years earlier by the governor of the [[New Mexico Territory]]. Dismissing Bill's claim that he is really William H. Bonney aka "[[Billy The Kid]]", widely believed to have been killed in 1881, Phalen asks if Bill has any proof.


Brushy Bill's story begins with the remaining Regulators having gone their separate ways. Billy has become part of a new gang with "Arkansas" [[Dave Rudabaugh]] ([[Christian Slater|Slater]]) and [[Pat Garrett]] ([[William L. Petersen|Petersen]]). The New Mexico governor has issued warrants for the arrests of those involved in the Lincoln County Wars, including Billy, Doc Scurlock ([[Kiefer Sutherland|Sutherland]]), and Jose Chavez y Chavez ([[Lou Diamond Phillips|Phillips]]), who are dragged into town and imprisoned to await hanging.
Bill's story begins in 1879, as the famed outlaw has formed a new gang with [[Dave Rudabaugh|"Arkansas" Dave Rudabaugh]] and [[Pat Garrett]]. In the wake of the [[Lincoln County War]], New Mexico Governor [[Lew Wallace]] has issued warrants for the arrest of everyone involved. Billy's former compatriot [[Doc Scurlock]], now a schoolteacher in New York, is captured and imprisoned alongside fellow [[Lincoln County Regulators|Regulator]] [[Jose Chavez y Chavez]] and their old enemies.


Meanwhile, Billy meets with the new governor Lew Wallace who agrees to pardon Billy if he testifies against the Dolan-Murphy faction. Billy soon finds out that he was tricked into being arrested with no chance of testifying against his old enemies. After escaping, Billy along with the help of Rudabaugh and Garrett, pose as a lynch mob to spring Doc and Chavez from jail. When the gang successfully escape Lincoln, Billy mentions the Mexican Blackbird (a broken trail only a few others and he know that leads to Mexico). Garrett decides not to go with the gang, and instead, opens a boarding house. Rudabaugh, clearly in competition with Billy, wants to lead the gang. As they make a run for the border along with farmer Hendry William French ([[Alan Ruck]]) and 14-year-old Tom O'Folliard ([[Balthazar Getty]]), cattle baron John Simpson Chisum ([[James Coburn]]) and Governor Wallace approach Garrett to offer him the job as [[Lincoln County, New Mexico|Lincoln County]] [[sheriff]] and $1000 to use whatever resources he needs to hunt Bonney down and kill him. Garrett agrees, and forming a posse, begins his pursuit of the gang. Chisum was approached by Billy earlier in the film, and Chisum refused to help. So, Billy steals some of his cattle to get money they can use to get to Mexico.
Now the most wanted man in New Mexico, Billy meets with Governor Wallace, who agrees to pardon him if he testifies against the Dolan-Murphy faction. Instead, Billy discovers he has been tricked into being arrested with no chance of testifying. He escapes, returning with Dave and Garrett and posing as a lynch mob to free Doc and Chavez, who reluctantly join them on the "Mexican Blackbird" trail to Mexico. Desperate for reinforcements, the gang accepts farmer Hendry William French and teenage Yankee [[Tom O'Folliard]], while Garrett decides to stay behind to open a boarding house.


Billy demands a $500 debt from former ally [[John Chisum]], leaving two of the cattle baron's men dead. Furious, Chisum joins Wallace and they offer Garrett the job of [[Lincoln County, New Mexico|Lincoln County]] [[sheriff]] and $1000 to hunt Bonney down. Forming a posse, Garrett recruits a journalist to document their pursuit. Billy leaves a taunting message for Garrett, and Rudabaugh tries to dig up an [[Apache]] burial ground, resulting in a knife fight with the Mexican-Indian Chavez.
Billy and the gang soon come to the town of White Oaks, where they meet with former companion, Jane Greathouse ([[Jenny Wright]]), who runs a local [[Brothel|bordello]]. Later that night, the town lynch mob comes for the gang and is intent on a hanging. Deputy Carlisle tries to negotiate a deal, "the Indian" (Chavez) for a safe ride out. Billy refuses the offer and pushes the deputy out the door, who is then accidentally killed by the lynch mob. Garrett soon tracks Billy to the bordello, but is too late. In response to rebuffs by Jane, Garrett uses his newfound power as Lincoln County sheriff to declare her bordello a "house of sin", and burns it down. Jane decides to strip naked to humiliate the townsfolk and leave town. Meanwhile, Billy and his gang are continuously tracked by Garrett's posse, narrowly evading capture, but Tom (being mistaken for Billy) is soon shot dead by Garrett. As they hide out, Billy admits that the Mexican Blackbird does not exist; it was just a ruse to get the gang back together and to keep riding. Doc is angered and tries to leave for home, but he is shot by one of Garrett's men and sacrifices himself to enable his friends to escape an ambush.


Billy and the gang reach the town of White Oaks, spending the night at a [[brothel|bordello]] run by his former companion Jane Greathouse. A lynch mob gathers, and Deputy Carlyle offers to let the gang go in exchange for handing over Chavez, but Billy dresses the deputy as Chavez and pushes him outside, where he is shot dead by the mob. Garrett tracks the gang to the bordello and burns it down, while Jane strips naked to humiliate the townsfolk and rides away.
Billy the Kid is soon brought back into Lincoln by Garrett and is sentenced to death by hanging. He is then visited by Jane Greathouse, who arranges to leave a pistol in an outhouse. Billy uses the pistol to kill two guards and escapes to Old [[Fort Sumner]]. By the time he arrives, Dave has abandoned the group to make his way to Mexico, and Chavez is dying from a bullet wound he sustained during the ambush that killed Doc. During the night, Garrett finds Billy unarmed. Billy asks Garrett to let him run to Mexico and tell the authorities that he killed him. Garrett declines because he believes Billy would not be able to resist coming back to the United States (which would lead to Garrett's death for lying). Billy turns around, forcing Garrett to have to shoot him in the back, which he does not. In the morning, a fake burial is staged for Billy, and Garrett's horse is seen being taken by an unknown figure (implied to be Billy). Brushy Bill admits he never stole a horse from someone he did not like, and further admits he did not just like Garrett, he loved him. Phalen, convinced that Brushy Bill is Billy the Kid, agrees to help him.


The gang is followed closely by Garrett's posse and Tom is shot dead by Garrett, leading Billy to admit that the Mexican Blackbird was only a ruse to keep the gang together. Doc tries to leave for home, but is shot by one of Garrett's men and sacrifices himself to enable his friends to escape, though Chavez is wounded and Billy is captured. Brought back to Lincoln, Billy is sentenced to death and is visited by Jane. She leaves him a pistol in the outhouse, which he uses to kill two guards and escape to [[Fort Sumner]].
⚫
The epilogue reveals that Arkansas Dave was beheaded once he reached Mexico to discourage more outlaws from crossing the border; Garrett's book detailing his pursuit of Billy was a dismal failure and he is eventually shot and killed in 1908; Brushy Bill met with the governor of New Mexico, but despite corroboration from several surviving friends of the Kid, he was discredited and died less than a month later; whether or not Brushy Bill was Billy the Kid remains a mystery. The final shot shows Billy pointing his gun at an off-screen target, saying to the target "I'll make you famous".

Billy finds his gang, but Dave has fled for Mexico, and a dying Chavez leaves to meet his fate alone. That night, an unarmed Billy is confronted by Garrett, and asks to be allowed to run to Mexico while Garrett tells the authorities that he killed him. Certain that Billy would not be able to resist coming back to the United States, Garrett refuses, and prepares to shoot Billy in the back. In the morning, a burial is held for Billy, but Garrett's horse is taken by an unseen figure.

⚫
Back in 1950, Brushy Bill concludes his story, convincing Phalen that he is Billy the Kid. An epilogue reveals that Dave was beheaded in Mexico as a warning to other outlaws; Garrett's book was a failure and he was shot and killed in 1908; Brushy Bill met with the governor of New Mexico, but despite corroboration from several surviving friends of the Kid, he was discredited and died less than a month later; whether or not he was Billy the Kid remains a mystery.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{castlist|
{{castlist|
* [[Emilio Estevez]] as [[Billy the Kid|William H. "Billy the Kid" Bonney]] / [[Ollie P. Roberts|Brushy Bill Roberts]] (uncredited for the latter)
* [[Emilio Estevez]] as [[Billy the Kid|William H. "Billy the Kid" Bonney]] and [[Ollie P. Roberts|Brushy Bill Roberts]] (uncredited for the latter)
* [[Kiefer Sutherland]] as [[Doc Scurlock|Josiah Gordon "Doc" Scurlock]]
* [[Kiefer Sutherland]] as [[Doc Scurlock|Josiah Gordon "Doc" Scurlock]], Billy's right hand man in the Regulators
* [[Lou Diamond Phillips]] as [[Jose Chavez y Chavez]]
* [[Lou Diamond Phillips]] as [[Jose Chavez y Chavez]], the Mexican-Indian member of the Regulators
* [[Christian Slater]] as [[Dave Rudabaugh|"Arkansas" Dave Rudabaugh]]
* [[Christian Slater]] as [[Dave Rudabaugh|"Arkansas" Dave Rudabaugh]], a reckless outlaw who joined the Regulators
* [[William Petersen]] as [[Pat Garrett]]
* [[William Petersen]] as [[Pat Garrett]], the newly appointed Sheriff of Lincoln County
* [[Alan Ruck]] as Hendry William French, a composite character loosely based on [[Henry Newton Brown|Henry Brown]] and [[Jim French (cowboy)|Jim French]]{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}
* [[Alan Ruck]] as Hendry William French, a composite character loosely based on [[Henry Newton Brown|Henry Brown]] and [[Jim French (cowboy)|Jim French]], a farmhand recruited into the Regulators{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}
* [[R.D. Call]] as D.A. Rynerson
* [[R.D. Call]] as D.A. Rynerson
* [[James Coburn]] as [[John Chisum]]
* [[James Coburn]] as [[John Chisum]], a wealthy cattle baron that owed Billy the Kid money, but chose to join the House in hunting him down
* [[Balthazar Getty]] as [[Tom O'Folliard]]
* [[Balthazar Getty]] as [[Tom O'Folliard]], the youngest recruit in the Regulators
* [[Jenny Wright]] as Jane Greathouse
* [[Jenny Wright]] as Jane Greathouse, owner of the White Oaks bordello
* [[Jack Kehoe]] as [[Marshall Ashmun Upson|Ashmun Upson]]
* [[Jack Kehoe]] as [[Marshall Ashmun Upson|Ashmun Upson]], a journalist Garrett hired to document the pursuit against the Regulators
* [[Robert Knepper]] as Deputy Carlyle
* [[Robert Knepper]] as Deputy Carlyle, a lawman who led the lynch mob in White Oaks
* Tom Kurlander as Deputy Sheriff J.W. Bell
* Tom Kurlander as Deputy Sheriff [[James W. Bell|J.W. Bell]], a Lincoln county lawman who kept tabs on Billy the Kid prior to his escape
* [[Viggo Mortensen]] as John W. Poe
* [[Viggo Mortensen]] as John W. Poe
* [[Tracey Walter]] as Beever Smith
* [[Tracey Walter]] as Beever Smith
* [[Bradley Whitford]] as Charles Phalen
* [[Bradley Whitford]] as Charles Phalen
* [[Scott Wilson (actor)|Scott Wilson]] as Governor [[Lew Wallace]]
* [[Scott Wilson (actor)|Scott Wilson]] as Governor [[Lew Wallace]], incumbent Governor of New Mexico
* [[Leon Rippy]] as Deputy Sheriff [[Bob Olinger]]
* [[Leon Rippy]] as Deputy Sheriff [[Bob Olinger]], a disgruntled Lincoln County deputy who oversaw Regulator members being locked away
* [[Howie Young]] as Poe Posse
* [[Howie Young]] as Poe Posse
* [[Richard Schiff]] as Rat Bag
* [[Richard Schiff]] as Rat Bag
* [[Ginger Lynn]] as Dove
* [[Ginger Lynn]] as Dove
* Carlotta Garcia as Deluvina Maxwell
* Joy Bouton as Juanita
* Albert Trujillo as Jesus Silva
* Alina Arenal as Sonia
* Jerry Gardner as Sheriff Kimbel
* Stephan Kraus as Pietro
* Nicholas Sean Gomez as Fernando
* Mark Bustamante as Ignio
}}
}}


[[Jon Bon Jovi]] briefly appears in a nonspeaking role as a bandit who attempts escaping during the prison scene.<ref name="Cameo_MH">{{cite web|url=https://moviehole.net/how-jon-bon-jovis-young-guns-ii-soundtrack-came-to-be/|work=MovieHole|title=How Jon Bon Jovi's Young Guns II soundtrack came to be|author=Lowery, Mike|date=January 18, 2021|accessdate=September 13, 2022}}</ref>
⚫
==Production==


⚫
==Production==
===Development and writing===
===Development and writing===
Screenwriter-producer John Fusco culled much of Billy's dialogue from actual newspaper interviews and reports between 1879–1881. Fusco also appears as the "Branded Man" in the prison pit escape scene alongside [[Jon Bon Jovi]]. The cattle brand on Fusco's face reads J.C. for cattle rancher John Chisum.
Screenwriter-producer John Fusco culled much of Billy's dialogue from actual newspaper interviews and reports between 1879 and 1881. Fusco appears as the "Branded Man" in the prison pit escape scene alongside [[Jon Bon Jovi]]. The cattle brand on Fusco's face reads J.C. for cattle rancher John Chisum.


John Chisum, played by [[James Coburn]], in the film convinces Pat Garrett to accept a job as the new Lincoln County Sheriff. Coburn himself played Garrett in [[Sam Peckinpah]]'s ''[[Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid]]'' (1973).
John Chisum, played by [[James Coburn]], in the film convinces Pat Garrett to accept a job as the new Lincoln County Sheriff. Coburn played Garrett in [[Sam Peckinpah]]'s ''[[Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid]]'' (1973).


===Historical accuracy===
===Historical accuracy===
The historical [[Doc Scurlock|Josiah "Doc" Scurlock]] lived to the age of 80 and died a respectable man in Eastland, Texas in 1929.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://truewestmagazine.com/doc-scurlock-2/|title = The Real Doc|date = May 31, 2019}}</ref> The film's original screenplay accurately portrays Scurlock as heading to Texas with his bride. It has been reported that [[Kiefer Sutherland]], faced with scheduling conflicts, refused to return to the Young Guns franchise unless his character died in the movie's "Stinking Springs Shoot Out". Writer [[John Fusco]] fought against this demand but ultimately rewrote the scene to accommodate Sutherland's schedule.
The historical [[Doc Scurlock|Josiah "Doc" Scurlock]] lived to the age of 80 and died a respectable man in Eastland, Texas in 1929.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boardman |first=Mark |date=May 31, 2019 |title=The Real Doc |url=https://truewestmagazine.com/doc-scurlock-2/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601005831/https://truewestmagazine.com/doc-scurlock-2/ |archive-date=2019-06-01 |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=True West Magazine}}</ref> The film's original screenplay accurately portrays Scurlock as heading to Texas with his bride. It has been reported that [[Kiefer Sutherland]], faced with scheduling conflicts, refused to return to the ''Young Guns'' franchise unless his character died in the movie's [[Stinking Springs]] shoot-out. Writer [[John Fusco]] fought against this demand, but ultimately rewrote the scene to accommodate Sutherland's schedule.


Similarly, [[José Chavez y Chavez]]'s death in the movie is also an inaccurate portrayal. The real Chavez y Chavez also lived to be an old man and passed away at the age of 72 in 1924. In both Young Guns I and II, he fights mainly with knives but historical records show that he was as skilled a gunman as the others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.desertusa.com/desert-people/chavez.html|title=José Chavez y Chavez DesertUSA}}</ref><ref>See also Lou Diamond Phillips audio commentary on Young Guns DVD</ref>
Similarly, [[José Chavez y Chavez]]'s death in the movie is an inaccurate portrayal. The real Chavez y Chavez lived to be an old man and died at the age of 72 in 1924. In both ''Young Guns'' and ''Young Guns II'', he fights mainly with knives, but historical records show that he was as skilled a gunman as the others.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hurst |first=James W. |title=José Chavez y Chavez |url=https://www.desertusa.com/desert-people/chavez.html |website=DesertUSA}}</ref><ref>See also Lou Diamond Phillips audio commentary on Young Guns DVD</ref>


Although [[Tom O'Folliard]] was indeed shot by Pat Garrett, he was not from Pennsylvania and nor was he a young boy. He was played by a 14-year-old Balthazar Getty in the film but in real life he was 20–21 years old when he died.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iamnm.com/tom-big-foot-ofolliard-1858-1880/|title=6. Tom "Big Foot" O'Folliard (1858-1880) – I am New Mexico}}</ref>
Although [[Tom O'Folliard]] was shot by Pat Garrett, he was not from Pennsylvania, and nor was he a young boy. He was played by a 14-year-old Balthazar Getty in the film, but in real life he was 20–21 years old when he died.<ref>{{Cite web |title=6. Tom "Big Foot" O'Folliard (1858-1880) – I am New Mexico |url=https://iamnm.com/tom-big-foot-ofolliard-1858-1880/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120201153/https://iamnm.com/tom-big-foot-ofolliard-1858-1880/ |archive-date=2022-01-20}}</ref>


==Music==
==Music==

===Soundtrack===
===Soundtrack===
Emilio Estevez originally approached [[Jon Bon Jovi]] to ask him for permission to include the song "[[Wanted Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi song)|Wanted Dead Or Alive]]" on the soundtrack.<ref name="bon">July 16, 1990 [http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20118248,00.html Jon Bon Jovi's Solo Debut with his band members Leads Him to the Brink of An Abyss] People.com</ref> Bon Jovi didn't feel the song's lyrics were appropriate; however, he was inspired by the project and resolved to write a new song for the film that would be more in keeping with the period and setting. He quickly wrote the song "[[Blaze of Glory (Jon Bon Jovi song)|Blaze of Glory]]", and performed it on acoustic guitar in the Utah desert for Estevez and John Fusco. "Blaze of Glory" went on to reach No. 1 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jon-bon-jovi-p3735/charts-awards/billboard-singles|title = Allmusic (Jon Bon Jovi charts & awards) Billboard singles|website = [[AllMusic]]}}</ref> Jon Bon Jovi would go on to name his debut solo album ''[[Blaze of Glory (Jon Bon Jovi album)|Blaze of Glory]]'' (released as ''Young Guns II: Blaze Of Glory'' in the UK),<ref name="soundtrack">[http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/catalog/soundtrackdetail.php?movieid=6344 Blaze of Glory soundtrack details] Soundtrackcollector.com</ref> which included the [[eponymous]] single as well as other songs from and inspired by the film.
Emilio Estevez originally approached [[Jon Bon Jovi]] to ask him for permission to include the song "[[Wanted Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi song)|Wanted Dead or Alive]]" on the soundtrack.<ref name="bon">{{cite magazine|date=July 16, 1990 |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20118248,00.html |title=Jon Bon Jovi's Solo Debut with his band members Leads Him to the Brink of An Abyss |magazine=People |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090206045226/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20118248,00.html |archive-date=2009-02-06 |volume=34 |issue=2}}</ref> Bon Jovi didn't feel the song's lyrics were appropriate; however, he was inspired by the project and resolved to write a new song for the film that would be more in keeping with the period and setting. He quickly wrote the song "[[Blaze of Glory (Jon Bon Jovi song)|Blaze of Glory]]", and performed it on acoustic guitar in the Utah desert for Estevez and John Fusco.
"Blaze of Glory" went on to reach No. 1 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jon-bon-jovi-p3735/charts-awards/billboard-singles|title = Allmusic (Jon Bon Jovi charts & awards) Billboard singles|website = [[AllMusic]]}}</ref> Jon Bon Jovi named his debut solo album ''[[Blaze of Glory (Jon Bon Jovi album)|Blaze of Glory]]'', released as ''Young Guns II: Blaze Of Glory'' in the UK,<ref name="soundtrack">[http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/catalog/soundtrackdetail.php?movieid=6344 Blaze of Glory soundtrack details] Soundtrackcollector.com</ref> which included the [[eponymous]] single as well as other songs from and inspired by the film.


The album peaked at No. 3 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref>{{cite web|url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p3735|pure_url=yes}}|title = Allmusic (Jon Bon Jovi charts & awards) Billboard albums}}</ref> and No. 2 on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/|title=The Official Charts Company – Jon Bon Jovi|website=[[Official Charts Company|Official Charts]]}}</ref>
The album peaked at No. 3 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref>{{cite web|url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p3735|pure_url=yes}}|title = Allmusic (Jon Bon Jovi charts & awards) Billboard albums}}</ref> and No. 2 on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/|title=The Official Charts Company – Jon Bon Jovi|website=[[Official Charts Company|Official Charts]]}}</ref>


Jon Bon Jovi also made a cameo appearance in the film, as one of the prisoners in the pit with Doc and Chavez (he can be seen 28 minutes and 8 seconds into the movie).
Jon Bon Jovi made a cameo appearance in the film, as one of the prisoners in the pit with Doc and Chavez (he can be seen 28 minutes and 8 seconds into the movie).


===Score===
===Score===
The film's original score was composed and conducted by [[Alan Silvestri]],<ref name=soundtrack/><ref>[http://www.alan-silvestri.com/main.html?/discography/discography.html Alan Silvestri discography] Alan-silvestri.com</ref> who provided string arrangements for the song "Santa Fe" and has one brief track on ''Blaze Of Glory''. On September 19, 2011 [[Intrada Records]] issued Silvestri's score on its own CD.
The film's original score was composed and conducted by [[Alan Silvestri]],<ref name=soundtrack/><ref>[http://www.alan-silvestri.com/main.html?/discography/discography.html Alan Silvestri discography] Alan-silvestri.com</ref> who provided string arrangements for the song "Santa Fe" and has one brief track on ''Blaze Of Glory''. In September 2011 [[Intrada Records]] issued Silvestri's score on its own CD.


# Scars (5:10)
# Scars (5:10)
Line 124: Line 128:
# Stolen Horse (Finale) (1:18)
# Stolen Horse (Finale) (1:18)


On July 20, 2018, Rusted Wave released a limited edition of 1000 double LP vinyl pressing of Alan Silvertri's score cut at 45 RPM.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rustedwave.com/product/pre-order-young-guns-ii-original-motion-picture-score-2-lps|title = Young Guns II - Original Motion Picture Score (2 LPS)}}</ref>
In July 2018, Rusted Wave released a limited edition of 1000 double LP vinyl pressing of Alan Silvertri's score cut at 45 RPM.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rustedwave.com/product/pre-order-young-guns-ii-original-motion-picture-score-2-lps|title = Young Guns II - Original Motion Picture Score (2 LPS)}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==

===Box office===
===Box office===
''Young Guns II'' opened on August 1, 1990 in the United States in 1,770 theaters, accumulating $8,017,438 over its opening weekend. It finished third for the weekend, behind ''[[Ghost (1990 film)|Ghost]]'' (in its fourth week) and ''[[Presumed Innocent (film)|Presumed Innocent]]'' (in its second week).<ref>{{cite news|title= Weekend Box Office |work= [[The Los Angeles Times]]|date=1990-08-07|url= http://articles.latimes.com/1990-08-07/entertainment/ca-53_1_buena-vista|access-date=2011-01-13}}</ref> The film went on to gross $44,143,410 in the United States and Canada.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=youngguns2.htm | title=Young Guns II (1990) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=2007-05-05 }}</ref> Internationally it grossed $15 million for a worldwide total of $59 million.<ref name=ww/> The film was also successful on video rental.<ref>{{cite news|title= VIDEO RENTALS : 'Young Guns' Not Firing Blanks|work= [[Los Angeles Times]]|url= http://articles.latimes.com/1991-02-07/entertainment/ca-784_1_young-guns|access-date=2012-06-05}}</ref>
''Young Guns II'' opened on August 1, 1990, in the United States in 1,770 theaters, accumulating $8,017,438 over its opening weekend. It finished third for the weekend, behind ''[[Ghost (1990 film)|Ghost]]'' (in its fourth week), and ''[[Presumed Innocent (film)|Presumed Innocent]]'' (in its second week).<ref>{{cite news|title= Weekend Box Office |work= [[The Los Angeles Times]]|date=1990-08-07|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-07-ca-53-story.html|access-date=2011-01-13}}</ref> The film grossed $44,143,410 in the United States and Canada.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=youngguns2.htm | title=Young Guns II (1990) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=2007-05-05 }}</ref> Internationally it grossed $15 million for a worldwide total of $59 million.<ref name=ww/> The film was also successful on video rental.<ref>{{cite news|title= VIDEO RENTALS : 'Young Guns' Not Firing Blanks|work= [[Los Angeles Times]]|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-07-ca-784-story.html|access-date=2012-06-05}}</ref>


===Critical response===
===Critical response===
''Young Guns II'' received mostly negative reviews by critics when it was first released but has since garnered a cult following.<ref>{{cite news|title= Review/Film;Emilio Estevez in Reprise of Billy the Kid Role|work= [[The New York Times]]|url= http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C0CEEDA163CF932A3575BC0A966958260|access-date=2012-06-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Young Guns II|publisher= [[Entertainment Weekly]]|url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,317939,00.html|access-date=2012-06-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= MOVIE REVIEW : 'Young Guns II' Has the Fire but Lacks Depth|work= [[Los Angeles Times]]|url= http://articles.latimes.com/1990-08-01/entertainment/ca-1353_1_young-guns|access-date=2012-06-05}}</ref> On [[review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has received a 29% approval rating by critics based on 8 reviews but 66% by audiences.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/young_guns_2/ | title=Young Guns II | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | access-date=2021-11-02 }}</ref> Los Angeles Times said it was “ Full of sound, gunfire, fury and scorchingly beautiful landscapes, Young Guns 2 generates more sheer visual excitement than any Western since Peckinpah and Leone were in their last '70s prime.” <ref>See above.</ref> [[Roger Ebert]], who gave ''Young Guns II'' 2 stars out of 4 stars, stated that "the screenplay feels unfinished, the direction is ambling, but the performances are interesting."<ref>{{cite news | author=Ebert, Roger | url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19900801/REVIEWS/8010301/1023 | title=Young Guns II | publisher=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] | date=1990-08-01 | access-date=2007-05-05 }}</ref> Chris Hicks from ''[[Deseret News]]'' gave the film 2 out of 4 stars, stating ''Young Guns II'' was "sumptuously shot, very well-acted and full of potential."<ref>[http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700002058/Young-Guns-II.html?pg=1 Young Guns II review] Hicks, Chris. Deseretnews.com</ref>
''Young Guns II'' received mostly negative reviews.<ref>{{cite news|title= Review/Film;Emilio Estevez in Reprise of Billy the Kid Role|work= [[The New York Times]]|date= August 1990|url= http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C0CEEDA163CF932A3575BC0A966958260|access-date=2012-06-05|last1= Maslin|first1= Janet}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title= Young Guns II|magazine= [[Entertainment Weekly]]|url= https://ew.com/article/1990/08/10/young-guns-ii/ |access-date=2012-06-05}}</ref><ref name=LAT>{{cite news|title= MOVIE REVIEW : 'Young Guns II' Has the Fire but Lacks Depth|work= [[Los Angeles Times]]|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-01-ca-1353-story.html|access-date=2012-06-05}}</ref> On [[review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has received a 31% approval rating by critics based on 26 reviews.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/young_guns_2/ | title=Young Guns II | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | access-date=2023-12-17 }}</ref> [[Metacritic]] gave the film a score of 47 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Young Guns II Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/young-guns-ii |access-date=September 7, 2022 |website=Metacritic |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "A-" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.cinemascore.com/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=CinemaScore }}</ref>

The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' said: “Full of sound, gunfire, fury and scorchingly beautiful landscapes, ''Young Guns II'' generates more sheer visual excitement than any Western since Peckinpah and Leone were in their last '70s prime."<ref name=LAT/> [[Roger Ebert]], who gave ''Young Guns II'' two stars out of four, stated that "the screenplay feels unfinished, the direction is ambling, but the performances are interesting."<ref>{{cite news | last=Ebert |first=Roger | url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/young-guns-ii-1990 | title=Young Guns II | work=RogerEbert.com |publisher=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] | date=1990-08-01 | access-date=2007-05-05 }}</ref> Chris Hicks from ''[[Deseret News]]'' gave the film two out of four stars, stating that ''Young Guns II'' was "sumptuously shot, very well-acted and full of potential."<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.deseret.com/1990/8/5/20089040/film-review-young-guns-ii |title=Young Guns II review |date=1990-08-04 |last=Hicks |first=Chris |newspaper=Deseret News |access-date=2023-02-19}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
! Ref.
|-
| [[63rd Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]]
| rowspan="4"| "[[Blaze of Glory (Jon Bon Jovi song)|Blaze of Glory]]" <br> Music and Lyrics by [[Jon Bon Jovi]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1991 |title=The 63rd Academy Awards (1991) Nominees and Winners |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |access-date=October 20, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020005240/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1991 |archive-date=October 20, 2014}}</ref>
|-
| [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards]]
| Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures
| {{won}}
| align="center"|
|-
| [[48th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]]
| {{won}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/young-guns-ii/ |title=Young Guns II |publisher=[[Golden Globe Awards]] |access-date=July 28, 2021}}</ref>
|-
| [[33rd Annual Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]]
| [[Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media|Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/33rd-annual-grammy-awards |title=33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards |publisher=[[Grammy Awards]] |access-date=May 1, 2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[1991 MTV Video Music Awards|MTV Video Music Awards]]
| [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Video from a Film|Best Video from a Film]]
| Jon Bon Jovi – "Blaze of Glory"
| {{nom}}
| align="center"|
|-
| [[12th Youth in Film Awards|Young Artist Awards]]
| Best Young Actor Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
| [[Balthazar Getty]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms12.htm |title=12th Annual Youth in Film Awards |access-date=March 31, 2011 |publisher=[[Young Artist Award]]s |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716012652/http://youngartistawards.org/pastnoms12.htm |archive-date=July 16, 2015}}</ref>
|}


==Sequel==
==Sequel==
In January 2021, a sequel was teased by screen writer John Fusco who shared a mock poster for ''Young Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Offurum|first=E.J.|title=Young Guns 3 With Emilio Estevez Teased By Writer|url=https://screenrant.com/young-guns-3-emilio-estevez-john-fusco-teaser/|work=[[Screen Rant]]|date=January 17, 2021|access-date=June 13, 2021}}</ref> In March, Estevez told ''[[Collider (website)|Collider]]'' people were interested in seeing him play the character again and that a third film is "definitely in the works."<ref>{{cite web|last=Reiman|first=Tom|title='Young Guns 3': Emilio Estevez Says Sequel Is "Definitely in the Works"|url=https://collider.com/young-guns-3-emilio-estevez/|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=March 12, 2021|access-date=June 13, 2021}}</ref>
In January 2021, a sequel was teased by screenwriter John Fusco who shared a mock poster for ''Young Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Offurum|first=E.J.|title=Young Guns 3 With Emilio Estevez Teased By Writer|url=https://screenrant.com/young-guns-3-emilio-estevez-john-fusco-teaser/|work=[[Screen Rant]]|date=January 17, 2021|access-date=June 13, 2021}}</ref> In March, Estevez told ''[[Collider (website)|Collider]]'' people were interested in seeing him play the character again and that a third film is "definitely in the works."<ref>{{cite web|last=Reiman|first=Tom|title='Young Guns 3': Emilio Estevez Says Sequel Is "Definitely in the Works"|url=https://collider.com/young-guns-3-emilio-estevez/|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=March 12, 2021|access-date=June 13, 2021}}</ref>
In September 2021, more information came out about "[[Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid]]", including that Lou Diamond Phillips and Christian Slater would return to the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.looper.com/598520/guns-3-alias-billy-the-kid-release-date-cast-plot/|title = Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid - What We Know So Far|date = September 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13917358/|title = Young Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid|website = [[IMDb]]}}</ref>
In September 2021, more information came out about the sequel, including that Lou Diamond Phillips and Christian Slater would return to the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2021 |title=Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid - What We Know So Far |url=https://www.looper.com/598520/guns-3-alias-billy-the-kid-release-date-cast-plot/ |website=Looper}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13917358/|title = Young Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid|website = [[IMDb]]}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
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{{Portal|Film}}
{{wikiquote}}
{{wikiquote}}
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{{Portal|Film}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0100994|title=Young Guns II}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0100994|title=Young Guns II}}
* {{AllRovi movie|55982|Young Guns II}}
* {{AllMovie title|55982|Young Guns II}}


{{Geoff Murphy}}
{{Geoff Murphy}}
{{John Fusco}}
{{Billy the Kid}}
{{Billy the Kid}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Young Guns Ii}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Young Guns Ii}}
[[Category:1990 films]]
[[Category:1990 films]]
[[Category:1990 Western (genre) films]]
[[Category:1990 action films]]
[[Category:American Western (genre) films]]
[[Category:American Western (genre) films]]
[[Category:Biographical films about Billy the Kid]]
[[Category:Biographical films about Billy the Kid]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Pat Garrett]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Pat Garrett]]
[[Category:Biographical films about criminals]]
[[Category:Biographical films about criminals]]
[[Category:American buddy films]]
[[Category:American buddy action films]]
[[Category:American sequel films]]
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[[Category:Films set in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Films set in New Mexico]]
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[[Category:20th Century Fox films]]
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[[Category:Morgan Creek Productions films]]
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[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by John Fusco]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by John Fusco]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
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[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:English-language action films]]

Latest revision as of 12:22, 9 December 2024

Young Guns II
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGeoff Murphy
Written byJohn Fusco
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDean Semler
Edited byBruce Green
Music byAlan Silvestri
Jon Bon Jovi
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • August 1, 1990 (1990-08-01)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$59 million[1]

Young Guns II is a 1990 American Western action film[2] and a sequel to Young Guns (1988). It stars Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Christian Slater, and features William Petersen as Pat Garrett. It was written by John Fusco and directed by Geoff Murphy.

It follows the life of Billy the Kid, played by Emilio Estevez, in the years following the Lincoln County War in which Billy was part of "The Regulators" – a group of around six highly skilled gunmen avenging the death of John Tunstall – and the years leading up to Billy's documented death. The film is told by Brushy Bill Roberts, a man who in 1950 appeared claiming to be the real Billy the Kid.

While the film takes some creative license, it does show some of the main events leading up to Billy's documented death, including his talks with Governor Lew Wallace, his capture by friend-turned-foe Sheriff Pat Garrett, his trial and his subsequent escape in which he killed two deputies.

Plot

[edit]

In 1950, attorney Charles Phalen is contacted by elderly "Brushy Bill" Roberts, who seeks a pardon he was promised 70 years earlier by the governor of the New Mexico Territory. Dismissing Bill's claim that he is really William H. Bonney aka "Billy The Kid", widely believed to have been killed in 1881, Phalen asks if Bill has any proof.

Bill's story begins in 1879, as the famed outlaw has formed a new gang with "Arkansas" Dave Rudabaugh and Pat Garrett. In the wake of the Lincoln County War, New Mexico Governor Lew Wallace has issued warrants for the arrest of everyone involved. Billy's former compatriot Doc Scurlock, now a schoolteacher in New York, is captured and imprisoned alongside fellow Regulator Jose Chavez y Chavez and their old enemies.

Now the most wanted man in New Mexico, Billy meets with Governor Wallace, who agrees to pardon him if he testifies against the Dolan-Murphy faction. Instead, Billy discovers he has been tricked into being arrested with no chance of testifying. He escapes, returning with Dave and Garrett and posing as a lynch mob to free Doc and Chavez, who reluctantly join them on the "Mexican Blackbird" trail to Mexico. Desperate for reinforcements, the gang accepts farmer Hendry William French and teenage Yankee Tom O'Folliard, while Garrett decides to stay behind to open a boarding house.

Billy demands a $500 debt from former ally John Chisum, leaving two of the cattle baron's men dead. Furious, Chisum joins Wallace and they offer Garrett the job of Lincoln County sheriff and $1000 to hunt Bonney down. Forming a posse, Garrett recruits a journalist to document their pursuit. Billy leaves a taunting message for Garrett, and Rudabaugh tries to dig up an Apache burial ground, resulting in a knife fight with the Mexican-Indian Chavez.

Billy and the gang reach the town of White Oaks, spending the night at a bordello run by his former companion Jane Greathouse. A lynch mob gathers, and Deputy Carlyle offers to let the gang go in exchange for handing over Chavez, but Billy dresses the deputy as Chavez and pushes him outside, where he is shot dead by the mob. Garrett tracks the gang to the bordello and burns it down, while Jane strips naked to humiliate the townsfolk and rides away.

The gang is followed closely by Garrett's posse and Tom is shot dead by Garrett, leading Billy to admit that the Mexican Blackbird was only a ruse to keep the gang together. Doc tries to leave for home, but is shot by one of Garrett's men and sacrifices himself to enable his friends to escape, though Chavez is wounded and Billy is captured. Brought back to Lincoln, Billy is sentenced to death and is visited by Jane. She leaves him a pistol in the outhouse, which he uses to kill two guards and escape to Fort Sumner.

Billy finds his gang, but Dave has fled for Mexico, and a dying Chavez leaves to meet his fate alone. That night, an unarmed Billy is confronted by Garrett, and asks to be allowed to run to Mexico while Garrett tells the authorities that he killed him. Certain that Billy would not be able to resist coming back to the United States, Garrett refuses, and prepares to shoot Billy in the back. In the morning, a burial is held for Billy, but Garrett's horse is taken by an unseen figure.

Back in 1950, Brushy Bill concludes his story, convincing Phalen that he is Billy the Kid. An epilogue reveals that Dave was beheaded in Mexico as a warning to other outlaws; Garrett's book was a failure and he was shot and killed in 1908; Brushy Bill met with the governor of New Mexico, but despite corroboration from several surviving friends of the Kid, he was discredited and died less than a month later; whether or not he was Billy the Kid remains a mystery.

Cast

[edit]

Jon Bon Jovi briefly appears in a nonspeaking role as a bandit who attempts escaping during the prison scene.[3]

Production

[edit]

Development and writing

[edit]

Screenwriter-producer John Fusco culled much of Billy's dialogue from actual newspaper interviews and reports between 1879 and 1881. Fusco appears as the "Branded Man" in the prison pit escape scene alongside Jon Bon Jovi. The cattle brand on Fusco's face reads J.C. for cattle rancher John Chisum.

John Chisum, played by James Coburn, in the film convinces Pat Garrett to accept a job as the new Lincoln County Sheriff. Coburn played Garrett in Sam Peckinpah's Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973).

Historical accuracy

[edit]

The historical Josiah "Doc" Scurlock lived to the age of 80 and died a respectable man in Eastland, Texas in 1929.[4] The film's original screenplay accurately portrays Scurlock as heading to Texas with his bride. It has been reported that Kiefer Sutherland, faced with scheduling conflicts, refused to return to the Young Guns franchise unless his character died in the movie's Stinking Springs shoot-out. Writer John Fusco fought against this demand, but ultimately rewrote the scene to accommodate Sutherland's schedule.

Similarly, José Chavez y Chavez's death in the movie is an inaccurate portrayal. The real Chavez y Chavez lived to be an old man and died at the age of 72 in 1924. In both Young Guns and Young Guns II, he fights mainly with knives, but historical records show that he was as skilled a gunman as the others.[5][6]

Although Tom O'Folliard was shot by Pat Garrett, he was not from Pennsylvania, and nor was he a young boy. He was played by a 14-year-old Balthazar Getty in the film, but in real life he was 20–21 years old when he died.[7]

Music

[edit]

Soundtrack

[edit]

Emilio Estevez originally approached Jon Bon Jovi to ask him for permission to include the song "Wanted Dead or Alive" on the soundtrack.[8] Bon Jovi didn't feel the song's lyrics were appropriate; however, he was inspired by the project and resolved to write a new song for the film that would be more in keeping with the period and setting. He quickly wrote the song "Blaze of Glory", and performed it on acoustic guitar in the Utah desert for Estevez and John Fusco.

"Blaze of Glory" went on to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.[9] Jon Bon Jovi named his debut solo album Blaze of Glory, released as Young Guns II: Blaze Of Glory in the UK,[10] which included the eponymous single as well as other songs from and inspired by the film.

The album peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200[11] and No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart.[12]

Jon Bon Jovi made a cameo appearance in the film, as one of the prisoners in the pit with Doc and Chavez (he can be seen 28 minutes and 8 seconds into the movie).

Score

[edit]

The film's original score was composed and conducted by Alan Silvestri,[10][13] who provided string arrangements for the song "Santa Fe" and has one brief track on Blaze Of Glory. In September 2011 Intrada Records issued Silvestri's score on its own CD.

  1. Scars (5:10)
  2. Small Hands (3:04)
  3. Lynch Mob (4:11)
  4. Finish the Game (2:50)
  5. Yoo Hoo (2:43)
  6. Devil's Deal (1:26)
  7. More Than Hello (2:34)
  8. Tom Sees the Light (1:30)
  9. Coy Dog (2:38)
  10. Ride to Guano City (1:09) ("Guano City" on Blaze of Glory)
  11. Battle (2:46)
  12. Little Tom Dies (6:49)
  13. Garrett's Place (1:10)
  14. Chavez's Wound (3:01)
  15. You Gonna Shoot? (3:33)
  16. Stolen Horse (Finale) (1:18)

In July 2018, Rusted Wave released a limited edition of 1000 double LP vinyl pressing of Alan Silvertri's score cut at 45 RPM.[14]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

Young Guns II opened on August 1, 1990, in the United States in 1,770 theaters, accumulating $8,017,438 over its opening weekend. It finished third for the weekend, behind Ghost (in its fourth week), and Presumed Innocent (in its second week).[15] The film grossed $44,143,410 in the United States and Canada.[16] Internationally it grossed $15 million for a worldwide total of $59 million.[1] The film was also successful on video rental.[17]

Critical response

[edit]

Young Guns II received mostly negative reviews.[18][19][20] On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has received a 31% approval rating by critics based on 26 reviews.[21] Metacritic gave the film a score of 47 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[22] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A-" on an A+ to F scale.[23]

The Los Angeles Times said: “Full of sound, gunfire, fury and scorchingly beautiful landscapes, Young Guns II generates more sheer visual excitement than any Western since Peckinpah and Leone were in their last '70s prime."[20] Roger Ebert, who gave Young Guns II two stars out of four, stated that "the screenplay feels unfinished, the direction is ambling, but the performances are interesting."[24] Chris Hicks from Deseret News gave the film two out of four stars, stating that Young Guns II was "sumptuously shot, very well-acted and full of potential."[25]

Accolades

[edit]
Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
Academy Awards Best Original Song "Blaze of Glory"
Music and Lyrics by Jon Bon Jovi 		Nominated [26]
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures Won
Golden Globe Awards Best Original Song Won [27]
Grammy Awards Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television Nominated [28]
MTV Video Music Awards Best Video from a Film Jon Bon Jovi – "Blaze of Glory" Nominated
Young Artist Awards Best Young Actor Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Balthazar Getty Nominated [29]

Sequel

[edit]

In January 2021, a sequel was teased by screenwriter John Fusco who shared a mock poster for Young Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid.[30] In March, Estevez told Collider people were interested in seeing him play the character again and that a third film is "definitely in the works."[31] In September 2021, more information came out about the sequel, including that Lou Diamond Phillips and Christian Slater would return to the franchise.[32][33]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Morgan Creek Prods. Box Office". Variety. February 15, 1993. p. 46.
  2. ^ "Young Guns II". British Board of Film Classification.
  3. ^ Lowery, Mike (January 18, 2021). "How Jon Bon Jovi's Young Guns II soundtrack came to be". MovieHole. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  4. ^ Boardman, Mark (May 31, 2019). "The Real Doc". True West Magazine. Archived from the original on June 1, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Hurst, James W. "José Chavez y Chavez". DesertUSA.
  6. ^ See also Lou Diamond Phillips audio commentary on Young Guns DVD
  7. ^ "6. Tom "Big Foot" O'Folliard (1858-1880) – I am New Mexico". Archived from the original on January 20, 2022.
  8. ^ "Jon Bon Jovi's Solo Debut with his band members Leads Him to the Brink of An Abyss". People. Vol. 34, no. 2. July 16, 1990. Archived from the original on February 6, 2009.
  9. ^ "Allmusic (Jon Bon Jovi charts & awards) Billboard singles". AllMusic.
  10. ^ a b Blaze of Glory soundtrack details Soundtrackcollector.com
  11. ^ "Allmusic (Jon Bon Jovi charts & awards) Billboard albums".
  12. ^ "The Official Charts Company – Jon Bon Jovi". Official Charts.
  13. ^ Alan Silvestri discography Alan-silvestri.com
  14. ^ "Young Guns II - Original Motion Picture Score (2 LPS)".
  15. ^ "Weekend Box Office". The Los Angeles Times. August 7, 1990. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
  16. ^ "Young Guns II (1990)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 5, 2007.
  17. ^ "VIDEO RENTALS : 'Young Guns' Not Firing Blanks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  18. ^ Maslin, Janet (August 1990). "Review/Film;Emilio Estevez in Reprise of Billy the Kid Role". The New York Times. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  19. ^ "Young Guns II". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  20. ^ a b "MOVIE REVIEW : 'Young Guns II' Has the Fire but Lacks Depth". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  21. ^ "Young Guns II". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  22. ^ "Young Guns II Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  23. ^ "Home". CinemaScore. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  24. ^ Ebert, Roger (August 1, 1990). "Young Guns II". RogerEbert.com. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved May 5, 2007.
  25. ^ Hicks, Chris (August 4, 1990). "Young Guns II review". Deseret News. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  26. ^ "The 63rd Academy Awards (1991) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  27. ^ "Young Guns II". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  28. ^ "33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards". Grammy Awards. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  29. ^ "12th Annual Youth in Film Awards". Young Artist Awards. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  30. ^ Offurum, E.J. (January 17, 2021). "Young Guns 3 With Emilio Estevez Teased By Writer". Screen Rant. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  31. ^ Reiman, Tom (March 12, 2021). "'Young Guns 3': Emilio Estevez Says Sequel Is "Definitely in the Works"". Collider. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  32. ^ "Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid - What We Know So Far". Looper. September 8, 2021.
  33. ^ "Young Guns 3: Alias Billy the Kid". IMDb.
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