This feels like the final chapter for Wyatt Earp and his crew. Tombstone was written by Kevin Jarre and directed by Kurt Russell, though George P. Cosmatos is officially listed as director. The movie also features a large cast including Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Michael Biehn, and Powers Boothe. It’s loosely based on actual events from 1881 to 1882. The story follows Wyatt Earp (Russell) and his brothers Virgil (Elliott) and Morgan (Paxton) as they arrive in Tombstone hoping to strike it rich by investing in a local saloon's faro game. Doc Holliday (Kilmer), a longtime friend of Wyatt’s, joins them, and soon the Earps run into trouble with The Cowboys, a group of outlaws led by Curly Bill Brocious (Boothe). The story behind Tombstone is quite interesting. Willem Dafoe was initially considered for the role of Doc Holliday but Buena Vista, now known as Disney, declined him due to his appearance in *The Last Temptation of Christ*. Because Buena Vista was the only studio willing to distribute the film—thanks to Kevin Costner’s influence and an already-in-the-works Wyatt Earp movie—they had a lot of control. When Jarre submitted the screenplay, it was rejected by Russell and Kilmer because they felt it was too long. Jarre was then fired for refusing to make changes to the characters. Cosmatos stepped in to direct alongside Russell. Robert Mitchum, who narrates the film, had to drop out of his role as Old Man Clanton due to a riding accident, and Glenn Ford exited playing Marshall White so Harry Carey Junior could take over that part. Despite all the difficulties getting everything together, Tombstone turns out to be a really enjoyable movie in its genre. It’s a tribute to Western films, and it has what is considered one of the best portrayals of a well-known character—Kilmer's Doc Holliday is captivating, dangerous, and alluring. Comparing it to Costner’s film would be pointless; that movie tells Earp’s life story in a straightforward way, while this one focuses on a short period in his life with a lot more flair. There are some inaccuracies, but overall the filmmakers do a good job of recounting the events leading up to and following the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The film manages to satisfy both old fans of the genre and younger viewers, blending familiar elements with clever dialogue and exciting action sequences. It's not particularly artistic—you won’t be searching for the cinematographer's name—and the large number of characters can feel overwhelming. However, it consistently entertains with high-energy action and witty lines delivered by Kilmer. Even the standard romantic subplot involving Dana Delaney as Josephine has its moments. You might find yourself wanting to see more of Kilmer’s coolness or Biehn’s swagger, but the romance between Wyatt and Josephine, and Earp's internal conflict about settling down, provides insight into his emotional state at that time. Ultimately, it seems Tombstone benefited from Kilmer and Russell insisting on shortening the story. Critics felt the original version was too long, especially considering *Unforgiven* had just come out the year before. Thankfully, Tombstone doesn’t take itself too seriously but still manages to keep things moving at a good pace and features fantastic mustaches. It also delivers some of the most memorable lines in film history. Kilmer's Doc is our guy, and so is Tombstone as a whole. 8/10

Source on TMDB