Well, I've done things about-face this time. I usually try to watch a film series in order, but when I caught THE RETURN OF SABATA on TV one afternoon I ended up watching it despite the fact I hadn't watched the first two in the series. No need. Although there are a few references and returning characters in this outing, for the most part it's a stand-alone adventure.
Those expecting a straight spaghetti western will be disappointed. This is a comedy through-and-through, of a similar, exaggerated kind to those made by Terence Hill and Bud Spencer. The shoot-outs are portrayed in funny ways, there are larger-than-life characters throughout and Sabata himself isn't too serious. I have to say, I was disappointed. I find this type of comedy usually dates very badly and the humour of THE RETURN OF SABATA is a case in point. Only the affectionate theme music was any good.
Van Cleef sleepwalks through the role of skilled gunslinger, one he must have been able to play in his sleep. A rather undistinguished supporting cast don't do themselves many favours, with boring villains and uninteresting, although pretty, women. The only characters I liked were the pair of acrobats who inevitably help Sabata out of various scrapes. I'd rather the film had been about them and them alone rather than having them as supporting characters.
Production values are generally stable and the choreography is okay, but the plot is fairly muddled and too much of it involves minor characters betraying each other and getting betrayed in turn. There are no really stand out or memorable moments here, just lots of light-hearted jokes and comedic interludes. I guess your liking of this film really depends of your taste for comedy, but this is one western I wish I hadn't bothered with.
Those expecting a straight spaghetti western will be disappointed. This is a comedy through-and-through, of a similar, exaggerated kind to those made by Terence Hill and Bud Spencer. The shoot-outs are portrayed in funny ways, there are larger-than-life characters throughout and Sabata himself isn't too serious. I have to say, I was disappointed. I find this type of comedy usually dates very badly and the humour of THE RETURN OF SABATA is a case in point. Only the affectionate theme music was any good.
Van Cleef sleepwalks through the role of skilled gunslinger, one he must have been able to play in his sleep. A rather undistinguished supporting cast don't do themselves many favours, with boring villains and uninteresting, although pretty, women. The only characters I liked were the pair of acrobats who inevitably help Sabata out of various scrapes. I'd rather the film had been about them and them alone rather than having them as supporting characters.
Production values are generally stable and the choreography is okay, but the plot is fairly muddled and too much of it involves minor characters betraying each other and getting betrayed in turn. There are no really stand out or memorable moments here, just lots of light-hearted jokes and comedic interludes. I guess your liking of this film really depends of your taste for comedy, but this is one western I wish I hadn't bothered with.