Do you want to see ‘Young Guns’?

Young Guns (1988)

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Top Critics

Average Rating: 4.6/10
Reviews Counted: 25
Fresh: 10 | Rotten: 15

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 59,177

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Movie Info

In this Western based loosely on actual events and people, Emilio Estevez stars as William H. Bonney (aka Billy the Kid). Sought for a petty crime in Lincoln County, Billy is taken in by John Tunstall (Terence Stamp), a British ranch owner seeking to make it in the cattle business. Tunstall employs a group of "regulators," comprised of wayward youths he's gathered over the years, to watch over his ranch; in turn, he teaches them how to read and reforms them into better men. Tunstall's business

R, 1 hr. 47 min.

Western, Action & Adventure

Directed By: Christopher Cain

In Theaters: Aug 12, 1988 Wide

On DVD: Feb 20, 2001

Artisan Entertainment

Young Guns Trailer & Photos

Cast

Emilio Estevez
William H. Bonney/"Bill...
Kiefer Sutherland
Josiah "Doc" Scurlock
Lou Diamond Phillips
Jose Chavez Y Chavez
Charlie Sheen
Dick Brewer
Jack Palance
Lawrence G. Murphy
Dermot Mulroney
"Dirty Steve" Stephens
Terence Stamp
John Henry Tunstall
Casey Siemaszko
Charley Bowdre
Terry O'Quinn
Alex McSween
Sharon Thomas
Susan McSween
Geoffrey Blake
J. McCloskey
Alice Carter
Yen Sun
Brian Keith
Buckshot Roberts
Tom Callaway
Texas Joe Grant
Patrick Wayne
Pat Garrett
Lisa Banes
Mallory
Victor Izay
Justice Wilson
Allen Keller
John Kinney
Cody Palance
Baker
Randy Travis
Ring Member
Jeff Prettyman
Judge Bristol
Forrest Broadley
Rynerson
Loyd Lee Brown
Soldier
Craig M. Erikson
Peppin
Gadeek
Henry Hill
Sam Gauny
Morton
Joey Hanks
Hindman
Gary Kanin
Col. Duoley
Daniel Karmin
Sheriff Brady
Pat Lee
Janey
Jeremy H. Lepard
Jimmy Dolan
Elena Parres
Manuela's Mother
Richela Renkun
Bar Girl
Alan Tobin
Bartender

Critic Reviews for Young Guns

All Critics (26) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (15) | DVD (18)

Christopher Cain directed this western from a script by John Fusco, and on the whole seems much more comfortable with the scroungy and scatological dialogue than he does with the action sequences.

February 4, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Young Guns is best watched in the playful, none-too-serious spirit in which it was made.

May 20, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Janet Maslin

New York Times

Top Critic

They behave as if our adoration were their birthright.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comment

Hal Hinson

Washington Post

Top Critic

OK rehash of Old West villains, this time teaming them up in their early days.

February 21, 2008 Comment

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Good idea to cast the brat pack in a Western but this was badly realised and altogether a bit flat.

February 4, 2008 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine

| Comment

Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

Young Guns is simply not a very good movie--western or otherwise. Fusco's script provides little character development and muddies the narrative with some unlikely supporting characters.

February 4, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

A cool Western for Gen X.

June 4, 2007 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid

| Comment

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Little more than a flawed romp, but energetic and enjoyable, with sterling performances from Sutherland and Estevez.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Time Out

Far better western than the brat pack deserved

March 24, 2005 Comment

Alex Sandell

Juicy Cerebellum

The film doesn't go far in reviving the Western film genre.

August 27, 2004 Full Review | Comment (1)

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

Well, you know, for a brat pack western from the late 80s, as long as you can overlook the really bad rock musical score, you might just enjoy yourself.

May 14, 2003 Full Review Source: Needcoffee.com

| Comment

Widgett Walls

Needcoffee.com

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Young Guns

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Although the stars are nice to look at, the story, characters, and plot aren't all that interesting. It's the typical western, and I really don't care for westerns anyway. The action was probably the best part. Overall, it's okay, but I bet other people just watch it for the stars as well.

September 1, 2011

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

I'll admit that Young Guns isn't all that great of a movie, but sometimes it's just nice to hear six reasons why the west was wild. It's basically an 80s movie set in the west with a cast of teen idols playing outlaws. In many ways it feels like a brat pack movie rather than an actual western, but I think that was

July 19, 2011

Conner Rainwater

Super Reviewer

Young Guns Quotes

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1. William H. Bonney/"Billy the Kid": I like these odds!
– Submitted by sean b (4 months ago)
1. "Dirty Steve" Stephens: Did you guys see the size of that chicken?
– Submitted by Sam B (7 months ago)

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