Cast hits bullseye but MacFarlane is no sharpshooter

Seth MacFarlane’s new movie, “A Million Ways to Die in the West,” blazes new territory as his first major live-action role.

Whether or not you like comedy, MacFarlane’s career is undeniably impressive. The creator of three successful TV shows was also the host of the 2012 Academy Awards and director of the blockbuster comedy “ Ted.”

In his new movie, MacFarlane plays down-on-his-luck sheep farmer Albert Stark, who has just been dumped by his girlfriend, Louise (Amanda Seyfried), for not fighting a man in a duel.

The plot from there follows his attempts, with the help of a new gunslinger in town named Anna (Charlize Theron), to win back Louise from the
moustached dandy who has captured her heart (Neil Patrick Harris). Little does Albert know that Anna is actually the wife of the most dangerous outlaw in the West, Clinch Leatherwood (Liam Neeson).

A viewer who has seen more than a dozen movies can guess where the story is going. This been-there-done-that feeling is only made worse by a drug-trip sequence that robs the movie’s final third of its tension and derails the pacing.

Aside from that misstep, the movie’s simplicity works in its favor by letting the viewers
focus on its jokes. On this front, the movie does very well. Seth MacFarlane is known in the comedy sphere for specializing in toilet humor, racist jokes and repetitive gags
until they are no longer funny.

As a director, he tones down these elements just enough so the movie is both consistently funny and edgy enough to leave fans of his work satisfied. It is a happy medium he has rarely found in the past.

But despite the many successful jokes, there are still duds that make you wince. Most of these are delivered by MacFarlane himself, who lacks the charisma necessary to have dynamic movie presence. While MacFarlane is a talented voice actor and stand- up comedian, he comes off as if he has just stumbled on screen in this film.

Fortunately, the movie surrounds him with talented actors who give the movie the energy to distract viewers from MacFarlane and the cookie-cutter story. In particular, Theron demonstrates top-notch delivery and makes you wish she was involved in more
projects like this.

Sarah Silverman also gives fun turns in her role as a prostitute who practices
abstinence with her boyfriend (Giovanni Ribisi) who tries to convince her otherwise.

One of the reasons behind MacFarlane’s success in the entertainment industry is his canny ability to surround himself with gifted people who play to his strengths.

“A Million Ways to Die in the West” continues this trend and bodes well for MacFarlane’s future projects. But it might be best for all if next time he stays behind the camera.