The crazy graphic novel title Cowboys & Aliens probably began getting hype as soon as Scott Mitchell Rosenberg started creating the project -- written by Fred Van Lente and Andrew Foley -- 14 years ago. Unlike strange happenings today that are turned into movies overnight, it took quite a while for executive producer Steven Spielberg and producer Ron Howard (among many others) to negotiate for the movie rights. Some may laugh at the idea of cowboys being invaded by aliens from outer space, but thanks to the visionary genius of these two Hollywood giants, the film offers viewers an entertaining and exciting two hours at the theater.

Strong performances by the actors helped me buy into this idea hook, line and sinker. Daniel Craig plays Jake, a man who wakes up alone in the desert with minor wounds and a weird piece of iron around his wrist. When a bunch of stragglers approach and threaten him, he jumps on them with the speed of a werewolf, and soon they’re all dead.

That enticing beginning heightens the feel of old westerns. Especially when Jake rides into the nearly defunct mining town of Absolution and discovers those left behind. Sheriff John Taggart (Keith Carradine) has to constantly deal with the rebellious Percy Dolarhyde (Paul Dano) who shoots bullets at people’s feet just to watch them do the dance of fear. He feels invincible because his daddy controls most of the town.

Percy finally goes too far and ends up in jail as does Jake. When Percy’s cattle baron daddy Woodrow (Harrison Ford) rides into town with his rough riders, he’s determined to get his son out of jail. About this time in a traditional western, a shoot ‘em up would be about to happen. Instead the dark night sky lights up like a Fourth of July. There are explosions, things catching on fire, and people are actually sucked up into the sky.

Jake – a surprise even to him – is the only one who seems to have the power to momentarily stop the huge, slithering monsters in their tracks. During the havoc Jake calls Woodrow “Colonel,” but he tells Jake, “Nobody calls me Colonel -- them that did are dead.”  

Woodrow’s remark represents a warning that there will be no holding hands through this ordeal for the two men. However, Woodrow is determined to find out how Jake stopped the aliens during their attacks.

Eventually the men gather their weapons and ride out to fight the unknown creatures and to look for their abducted love ones. Woodrow is determined to get Percy back, and the local bartender (Sam Rockwell) wants to rescue his wife (Maria Ana de la Reguera). Also included in those riding out are the sheriff’s son (Noah Ringer) and a strange woman (Olivia Wilde) who sticks close to Jake for reasons that slowly unfold in the story.

By the time the cowboys find the alien vessel they are joined by a tribe of Indians who at first want to harm them -- but only until some of their people are also killed or snatched up by the vile creatures.

While watching Cowboys & Aliens, I couldn’t help thinking about the silliness of the story, yet everything about the production kept reeling me in. Craig, who reminded director Jon Favreau of Steve McQueen, takes to a gun and horse like a seasoned pro. Craig seemed really at ease with his character, and said about his role, “I’m wearing a gun around my waist, I’ve got cowboy boots on and a hat and I’m riding a horse. I rode on a horse every day and I got paid to do it, so I couldn’t have been happier.”

Ford handles the part of a mean hombre with great gusto. His shoulders are always square, there’s a constant deep furrow above his eyes, and his lips never turn into a smile. Cross him and he’d rather blow your head off than wait for an excuse.  But he can deliver a funny line with a poker face like no-one else. For example, when told the aliens want gold, he asks, “What the hell are they gonna do with it – buy something?”

This focus on the characters steers the film, but it’s the non-stop action and excitement that keeps the viewer on the edge of his/her seat. Western fans will find there’s never a moment when someone is not in danger, and for alien fans, there’s lots of razzmatazz in the air. Production designer Scott Chambliss did a great job in creating both worlds.

Among the terrific supporting cast are Adam Beach as an Indian raised by Woodrow and Brendan Wayne (John Wayne’s grandson) as Deputy Lyle. In an interview, Wayne said, "Cowboys & Indians is a darn good western and great sci-fi, too. It’s really fun, but it also has a lot of heart.”

(Released by Universal Pictures and rated "PG-13" for intense sequences of western and sci-fi action and violence, some partial nudity and a brief crude reference.)

Review also posted at www.reviewexpress.com.