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Zone's Eye View of "American Outlaws" 

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Synopsis of movie; courtesy of Morgan Creek Productions:

When a Midwest town learns that a corrupt railroad baron has captured the deeds to their homesteads without their knowledge, a group of young ranchers join forces to take back what is rightfully theirs.

In the course of their vendetta, they will become the object of the biggest manhunt in the history of the Old West and, as their fame grows, so will the legend of their leader, a young outlaw by the name of Jesse James. 

Now for The Zone's Eye View

By Laura Alber

As a Missouri native, born and raised, I have heard all the stories of the infamous “James Gang”. I must say, though American Outlaws seemed a bit juvenile and “teen movie style” at times, it was rather refreshing to see another side of the story of Jesse and Frank James. Every other movie focuses only on the bank robberies, and makes the James brothers out to be cold hearted and without conscience. With American Outlaws, we are given the chance to see the brothers as real people, not only ruthless bank robbers.

The film begins with Frank (Scott Caan) and Jesse (Colin Farrell)  returning from war to their farm in Missouri. Jesse wants nothing more than to live a quiet life and work on his land. Upon arriving home to a happy mother, (Kathy Bates), they find out that the railroad moguls are buying up all the homes and land in their town of Liberty. When the families get together at a town meeting and decide to fight the railroad tycoons, they begin to see houses set afire obviously by the railroad people. After the James’ own home is set on fire and subsequently causing the death of their beloved mother, they form a gang, and set out for revenge.

The educated Jesse decides the best way to get back at the railroad tycoons is to get them where it hurts. They start robbing banks, and basically play “Robin Hood”, by stealing from the rich, and giving the money to the poor, who in this case is the people in Liberty. This keeps the town from helping the police with their manhunt. They are revered as heroes by the town, and soon word spreads and they find themselves heroes everywhere they go. Some banks are even “honored” to be robbed by the James gang putting up no fight, and willingly handing the money over.

In the middle of all this, they throw in a love story (of course), with the town beauty, played by Ali Larter, who Jesse is deeply in love with. It was nice to see Larter in this role and not the roles she’s typically given, like in Legally Blonde. She plays a blonde beauty in Outlaws, but not the stereotypical kind. She is a tomboy at heart and isn’t afraid to tell it like it is, in this film.

Ego’s begin to clash after a while when all the "Wanted" posters have “The Jesse James Gang” or a drawing of Jesse James only. Jesse wants nothing more than for it all to be over with and to return to his farm. But, after the robberies, that is an impossible dream now.

Like I said, American Outlaws is a “teen” version of the real events, but nevertheless, entertaining and refreshing. The Zone rates it a 4 out of 10. It’s “cable-worthy” of watching, but I wouldn’t recommend paying for the rental.