The neo-noir action thriller8 Million Ways to Dieearned just0% on Rotten Tomatoesdespite an accomplished cast led by Jeff Bridges and Rosanna Arquette. The set was notoriously troubled, and, as the script had not been finalized by the time filming began, many of the actors needed to improvise their scenes.The film noir genreoften mixes crime and romance, but critics found the pacing uneven, with neither of these plot elements working in a film that offered a dark look at the world of law enforcement.
8 Million Ways to Diewas based on a crime book series by Lawrence Block, which featured the unlicensed private detective character, Matthew Scudder. Scudder is an alcoholic ex-cop who left the NYPD and his family after accidentally causing a young girl’s death. In8 Million Ways to Die, Scudder is played by Jeff Bridges, The next Scudder book to be adapted was the tenth in Block’s series and features an all-star cast including David Harbour, Dan Stevens, and Boyd Holbrook. Scudder is played by Liam Neeson, and while this may not be one ofNeeson’s best action movies, his role redeems8 Million Ways to Die.
Liam Neeson Played Matthew Scudder In A Walk Among The Tombstones 28 Years After Jeff Bridges
Harrison Ford Turned The Role Of Scudder Down
Though much of the criticism was leveled at the score and script rather than Jeff Bridges' portrayal of Matthew Scudder,8 Million Ways to Diewas so poorly received that it took 28 years for another adaptation of Lawrence Block’s novels to be released. WhenLiam Neeson played Scudder inA Walk Among the Tombstones, he was commended for his gritty performance and compelling portrayal of the troubled character. Still, he was not exempt from criticism either, as the biggest ofNeeson’s fight scenes- the showdown in the graveyard - was undeniably anticlimactic in that it lacked the intensity the build-up had promised.
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Scudder is a typical neo-noir character, as he is a conflicted antihero with a dark past.A Walk Among the Tombstonesplaces the character in an even darker setting, in which he is reminded of his own failure to save the life of a young girl. Harrison Ford was originally set to play Scudder. However, Ford would later leave the project, with the writer and director, Scott Frank explaining that Ford felt his fanbase wouldn’t want to see him in something so dark.Ford’s most iconic rolesare usually heroic men, in control of a situation, unlike Scudder.
Matthew Scudder’s Creator Liked Neeson’s Movie Way More Than He Did 8 Million Ways To Die
A Walk Among The Tombstones Was More Faithful To The Books
Jeff Bridges may be an accomplished actor with a varied career, but afterTakenturned Neeson into a gritty action star, he appeared more suited to the role of Scudder than Bridges. Block appeared to agree, taking to X (formerly Twitter) to praise Neeson’s performance as Scudder, describing his portrayal as “brilliant.” He also praised Scott Frank’s script and directing as “tops.” Understandably for the author,Block preferredA Walk Among the Tombstonesto8 Million Ways to Die, asA Walk Among the Tombstoneswas much more faithful to Block’s original novel and character.
8 Million Ways To Die vs A Walk Among The Tombstones
1986
0%
39%
2014
67%
53%
The8 Million Ways to Diedirector, Hal Ashby, was not particularly faithful to the source materialas he focused on Scudder’s relationships while neglecting the book’s neo-noir theme. This turned the movie into a drama, surprising viewers who had expected a detective story.A Walk Among the Tombstoneswas more faithful to Block’s seriesand Scudder’s character. It embraced the film noir aspect while elaborating on it, adding more action scenes to make the most of Neeson’s action star status. The comparative success ofA Walk Among the Tombstonesredeemed both Scudder and8 Million Ways to Die.
8 Million Ways to Die
Cast
8 Million Ways to Die, directed by Hal Ashby, is a crime thriller featuring Jeff Bridges as Matt Scudder, an alcoholic ex-detective turned private investigator. The film follows Scudder’s descent into a complex web of crime and corruption in Los Angeles as he attempts to solve a mysterious case involving drug traffickers and a high-class call girl. Rosanna Arquette and Andy Garcia co-star in this adaptation of Lawrence Block’s novel.
A Walk Among The Tombstones
A Walk Among the Tombstones is a crime thriller following private investigator Matthew Scudder, portrayed by Liam Neeson. Released in 2014, the film centers on Scudder’s investigation into the brutal kidnapping and murder of a drug kingpin’s wife, leading him through New York’s criminal underworld.
