I'm basically trawling through all the good movies I've seen, because nothing new appeals at all. This film is like Aliens and probably one of the reasons we never get offered something new to watch. Why is it so good, consider the fact there's few supporting actors, the cast are stars in their own right.The story is entertaining even if total nonsense, all legends are and Billy the kid became one. I do like the way the kid is portrayed as many who knew him stated. Angry / violent / vicious, or as we say now, a psychopath.

Unnecessary glamorizing iof Billy the Kid. But interesting cast and to see how they developed careers afterwards. I'd give the nod to Sutherland for his TV leads, but Mortenson may be a more established "movie" actor. Phillips is very busy. Estevez has faded and wasn't really good in the YG movies either. Young Guns 2 1990 28 years later: Kiefer Sutherland 1966 101 credits, Designated Survivor, 24, Viggo Mortenson 1958, 57 credits, LOTR, HoV, William Petersen 1953 40 credits, CSI Lou Diamond Phillips 1962 136 credits, Christian Slater 1969 123 credits, Emilio Estevez 1962 47 credits, Mighty Ducks Alan Ruck 1956 108 credits,

This was the movie I remembered the first 'Young Guns' to be. More energetic, focused. Tighter direction (Geoff Murphy replacing Christopher Cain) and a much better score, this time by Alan Silvestri.New cast members fill in more than adequately, particularly Christian Slater as "Arkansas" Dave Rudabaugh and William Peterson (replacing Patrick Wayne) as Pat Garrett. The most fascinating aspect is integrating the tale of Brushy Bill Roberts, who came forward in the 1940s claiming to be the real Billy the Kid. A claim never fully disputed, and with its share of evidence and supporters to this day. That said, the "history" here is dubious, with Pat Garrett being re-imagined as Billy's former friend and cohort so as to make it all more personal. Still, it's a moderately entertaining Western-lite and a definite improvement over the original.

I have to say Young Guns (the original) was a better movie based more on the facts about the life of Billy The Kid. However, Young Guns II, is probably more entertaining than the it's predecessor.Young Guns II is more based on legend than fact about the life of Billy The Kid. Billy The Kid aka William Bonney can be probably said to be the most legendary and beloved of all the western outlaws. The beginning of the movie starts in a first person narrative--and I'd say beware of movies that start with these character voice overs--but however, that doesn't mean that you are in for a bad movie. The Ten Commandments also has the same set up---and it is campy and kitchy but one of the best movie spectacles of its time. Just like the mysterious life of Billy the Kid, it starts out shrouded in legend. The first person we meet (also played by Emilio Estevez) is Bushy Bill Roberts, a man who lived in the harsh Death Valley climate that claimed that he was Billy The Kid himself. Bill who was considered a harmless oddball homeless man who ran his own Billy The Kid museum in some tiny Southwest town. Bill Roberts claimed on his deathbed that he was the surviving outlaw himself but it was later proved by some facts and disputed dates that he was not the gunslinger.Youn Gun II mostly tells it's story through legend than facts. After the Lincoln County War, Billy was tried for murder and did escape but shooting Bob Bell And Bob Olinger. He did not do a ala Helter Skelter/ Charles Manson act by writing "Garrett's Place" in Bob Bell's blood on the wall. There was also a dispute on how well he knew Pat Garrett. Most say that he may have met Gerrett or knew about him but they were not as best buddies shown in the movie. However, the ending scene where Garret tracks down Billy The Kid and is seen to kill him is also disputed as legend. So since a lot of legend is mixed in with the facts of Billy The Kid's life, the plot or story entertains us like the old romatized dime novels that were sold at the time....What better way to enjoy a Western. The only fly in the ointment is the character of Billy The Kid changes somewhat from a fun but sometimes serious outlaw, to a non impressive giggling joker JackNapier. The dialog can probably be said as the most memorable than the first movie. Also, besides the rocking Bon Jovi album and song that displayed at the end, please check out the soundtrack by Alan Silvestri. It has a definite Mexican Southwesten flavor---one of the best that has been ignored by critics.So go forth and saddle up and enjoy! But again, due to the prevalent legend that shrouds Billy The Kid, you might be heading to the library or Wikepedia for more information afterward.