I first experienced this film in theaters back in 1995 and had completely erased it from my memory – until I watched it again recently and understood why. It’s not terrible, but its reliance on familiar tropes is striking, and Gene Hackman's performance as "Herod" teeters precariously between intimidation and over-the-top acting without ever fully convincing. He orchestrates a deadly competition involving gunplay—resembling an antiquated form of jousting—where the victor must confront him in a final showdown for a substantial reward. Sharon Stone, playing "Ellen," enters this bleak town at the beginning of the contest, driven by a desire to avenge her father’s death; Russell Crowe portrays “Cort,” a preacher with a history of violence, and there's "the Kid" (Leonardo di Caprio), who seems to believe his youth and abilities make him invincible, all drawn into this life-or-death scenario. Sam Raimi assembled what should have been the components of an enjoyable western adventure, but the actors don’t blend well together. Stone is noticeably past her prime, and the predictable "guy seeking revenge" storyline has become so commonplace that it barely elevates the film beyond a sequence of gunfights featuring characters I couldn't connect with. While the cinematography and certain visual techniques are noteworthy—the movie possesses an undeniable stylishness—and Alan Silvestri builds some suspense through his somewhat unconventional score for a western; ultimately, the overall effect falls short of its potential, resulting in something that now feels more suited for television than the big screen.

Source on TMDB