A Million Ways to Die in the West

All told, writer/director/star Seth MacFarlane’s satire is a blandly conventional western, albeit one wrapped around a crudely rambunctious comic fantasy decorously splattered with sophomoric scatology. The story, such as it is, has a somewhat mopey sheepherder named Albert Stark (MacFarlane) incurring the wrath of a murderous cattle rustler named Clinch Leatherwood (Liam Neeson). Plus, Albert’s wispy girlfriend (Amanda Seyfried) dumps him and turns her attentions to a mustachioed merchant and fop named Foy (Neil Patrick Harris). Albert’s ferociously stolid parents communicate exclusively through foul language and explosive farts. The poor guy’s only friends in town are nerdy Edward (Giovanni Ribisi) and his rowdy fiancée (Sarah Silverman), a very energetic prostitute named Ruth who won’t sleep with him until after they are married. The difference-makers for Albert’s dilemmas are found elsewhere—Leatherwood’s cheerfully disillusioned wife (Charlize Theron) and an amiable and slightly stoned Native American (Wes Studi). But it’s Theron who really stands out. She’s playing a fantasy character who knows she’s obliged to live up (or at least play up) to the fantasies of characters around her. Cinemark 14 and Feather River Cinemas. Rated R