THE LEGEND OF BUTCH AND SUNDANCE

This is not your father's Butch and Sundance movie. That one, starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman, is certainly a classic and is, in fact, the basis of the name of Redford's film festival.

The Legend of Butch and Sundance is a much younger cast and begins with the very early years of the famous outlaws' lives - how they met, what they did, their love interests, and their general "Robin Hood" philosophy. They were indeed criminals, though, no matter how much anyone tries to romanticize their deeds. They began their lawless career with bank robberies. From there, they graduated to train robberies. And when they were too well recognized in this country to not wind up hanged, they went to South America, where it's said they died, still committing crimes.

The youthfulness of this cast, including David Clayton Rogers, Ryan Browning, Rachelle Lefevre, lends and exuberance and rowdiness to the movie. It's clear that both characters are in love with Etta (Lefevre) as they even try to catch a glimpse of skin when she's bathing in a private room, with candles as the only bathroom lights. She's a bit of a tease and we see that she's torn in her feelings for both young men.

We can smile about youthful love, but we can't smile about the tragic loss of life that occurred in the wake of their crime sprees.

This is rated PG-13 for western violence and mild language. That rating should also include glorifying crime, which is what it does. It's a well-made movie. I just don't like how it portrays a life of crime as being fun and adventurous.