Wagons East (1994) * (out of 4)A group of settlers who headed West for a better life soon realize that it's not what they thought so they want to head back East. They hire James Harlow (John Candy) to take them back but they soon realize that they might have picked the wrong man.I still remember walking into the theater when WAGON'S EAST opened. You knew walking in that Candy had just recently passed and you knew that you were watching what would be his final picture. I don't think anyone could have expected to see how bad this movie actually was but thankfully for Candy, the greatness throughout his career is what people remember and not this final film.This is a really bad movie and I've seen where Candy didn't want to make it and I believe this because the screenplay is really awful. There's really nothing funny that happens here and the screenplay is so bad you really do wonder why anyone would have wanted to make the film. The majoirty of the running time has Candy acting drunk, falling over and doing various dumb things but none of it is funny.It's really too bad that Candy finished his career with this movie but it should be stated that a lot of legends end their careers with such movies. WAGON'S EAST really doesn't work on any level so it's probably best that it has been forgotten.

This is a light weight movie but really quite entertaining and better than many recent offering at the theater. It could have been better in many ways. A few cast changes and a little more over the top release of the talent and you have a Rustler's Rhapsody level comedy.The play off of corporate corruption is quite relevant to current issues and provides a nice opportunity to display the use of the military in the service of corruption.The film is good for popcorn.Why they restrained such talent as Candy and Lewis is confusing. Why get them if you're not going to let them play. Too much focus on the script and not enough play of the characters.

This is a great movie. Not quite as zany as Blazing Saddles, but well worth a watch. John Candy, in my opinion, is a great comic actor. The running gags and one liners are really funny. I am proud to say that I have it in my video library. Long live John Candy, a true comedian.

Wagons East was a fun movie. I love the premise of settlers going "back east", principally, because I'm Native American. It was almost like watching a Mel Brooks' movie, not one stereotype was left untouched. John McGinley, who played Julian, is one of my favorite actors. He has an amazing range. However, it's too bad that this was John Candy's last film. You can that he didn't enjoy the shoot and that he wasn't feeling well. I recommend it.