SERAPHIM FALLS (15)

The stars: Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Michael Wincott, Ed Lauter, Anjelica Huston.

The story: Old West hunter Carver (Neeson) and his band of riders are determined to track down his Civil War rival Gideon (Brosnan) to finish off a duel for supremacy against the backdrop of Nevada's Ruby Mountains in 1868.

Gideon is shot but manages to escape and tend his wound. The pair begin an extended series of skirmishes that sees Carver's team whittled away, leading to a face-to-face final clash.

The verdict: The Western is back... at least for a while. With Deadwood among the classiest things on TV and the Russell Crowe re-make of 3.10 To Yuma set for release later this year, Seraphim Falls makes a tasty re-introduction to a once staple film genre.

It might be an old-fashioned tale, but the violence and moments of brutality, such as Brosnan cutting open a bad guy's stomach so he has somewhere warm to stick his frostbitten hand, keep you on the edge of your seat.

Neeson and Brosnan clearly relish playing such rough'n' tough roles and it is their star-quality that keeps this from being an unexceptional cowboy movie. Look out for the ever-excellent Anjelica Huston with a late appearance as a snake oil saleswoman. It's little more than a cameo, but she can still make her mark in a movie.

FINAL CUT

Brutally watchable Western - Brosnan and Neeson perfect as saddlesore cowboys.

Rating: 3/5

Opens Friday, August 24