Dogs & Politics Movie Review!
The Last Rodeo should receive 'Rotten' on Rotten Tomatoes
The most tired, overwrought, clichéd, and unoriginal storyline ever is the basis of the new film The Last Rodeo. Even coming up with a slightly compelling title proved too difficult for the film's producers.
The Last Rodeo offers a cloying story with cardboard cutout characters all offered up on the backs of unwilling, tortured animals.
The film is not even based on a true story – at least that would have given it some heft. Instead, the actor who wrote the screenplay was inspired by redemption, family, and faith in God. Insert green-faced emoji here.
Rodeos, in their use and abuse of animals, are on par with sea aquariums, where the public has been well-educated (partially via the documentary Blackfish) on the miserable lives of orcas and dolphins who live solely to perform stupid tricks for human pleasure.
The Last Rodeo zeros in on the practice of bull riding with the plot designed around the ‘hero’ winning a $1 million prize for remaining on the back of a bucking bull for 8 seconds. Nothing like the almighty buck to galvanize the making of fascinating characters and a riveting plot – not.
Rodeos are bad for movies and animals. Ethical concerns abound both inside and outside the arena. Calf roping is brutal on young animals, injuring their necks, limbs, and bodies. Devices such as flank straps, spurs, and electric prods are used to subjugate animals to the will of the cowboy or handler. The exploitative nature of rodeos – how animals are used against their will for the entertainment of humans – is inherently unethical.
Although rodeos remain well attended in small rural sections of the country, most Americans have never sat in a rodeo arena. This form of entertainment has devolved and continues to lose its audience. People are not that interested in watching thrashing bulls and terrified calves.
Okay – I will come clean and admit I have not seen The Last Rodeo, just the trailer. But I have endured countless videos and films depicting rodeo spectacles and feel confident in urging folks not to bother with this film.
Instead, check out the zombie movie 28 Years Later, now in theaters. Director Danny Boyle had an idea to attach a camera to a goat’s back, but backed off when the goat made it clear he was not into it.
If only all film directors let the animals call the shots.