The Cherokee Kid (1996) – Western Comedy
- Director: Paris Barclay
- Main Cast:
- Sinbad as Isaiah Turner / The Cherokee Kid
- James Coburn as Otter Bob
- Gregory Hines as The Undertaker
- A Martinez as Juan Cortina
- Burt Reynolds as Cyrus B. Bloomington
- Ernie Hudson as Nat Love
- Vanessa Bell Calloway as Mama Turner
Plot
The Cherokee Kid is a television film based on the best known genres which are westerns, comedies and dramas, these genres are combined into a western comedy which engages the audience. The film centers around the life of Isaiah Turner (Sinbad) who wants revenge against the outlaws who murdered his tribe. Set in the wild wild west, A farm boy named Isaiah leads an unaltered innocent life until one day he lost his parents at the hands of ruthless men viciously searching for lands and property. Later he imagined that there is one more outlaw who did not come into action but pulled the strings of the action and that was none other than the infamous Cyrus B. Bloomington (Burt Reynolds).
He embarks on a quest to be a gunslinger, bent on bringing Bloomington to justice. As the journey progresses, Isaiah meets a number of strange people who assist him in his metamorphosis into a fearless outlaw dubbed The Cherokee Kid. These include Otter Bob (James Coburn), a strange mountain man who shows him how to survive in the wilderness, and The Undertaker (Gregory Hines), a California rifleman who would rather not have to, but trains Isaiah in the ways of the Wild West.
But as Isaiah’s blood thirst for revenge grows, he understands the true meaning of revenge, loyalty, and the essence of family. The narrative contains slapstick comedy, action, and emotional scenes which makes it an easy and humorous rendition of the typical revenge consecrated in the western genre.
Awards & Wins
The Cherokee Kid did not receive major awards, but it was an ensemble cast moving the comical and the multicultural aspects of the Western genre. The film, which made its debut on HBO, was well received for its humorous take on the genre with Sinbad being the best part of the movie.
Cast & Crew
- Sinbad as Isaiah Turner / The Cherokee Kid: This role sees Sinbad bring his own comedic charm at the same time playing an underdog who turns into an outlaw with a hint of humor and sincerity. His portrayal of Isaiah Turner is both entertaining and, to an extent relatable, thus making him a different kind of Western hero.
- James Coburn as Otter Bob: The character of Coburn brings humor and a lot of interesting detail to the film as soviet-israeli Isaiah`s unusual mentor. Kojak actor had spent most of his life in Westerns, so it’s no surprise that the film’s action is complemented by his true masculinity and an old-school Western feel.
- Gregory Hines as The Undertaker: Hines plays the role of a grizzled gunslinger who assists Isis in perfecting his fighting skills. Combining toughness and humor, his portrayal makes this character one of the outstanding figures in the movie.
- Burt Reynolds as Cyrus B. Bloomington: Reynolds as the antagonist of this film plays a wealthy and ruthless outlaw, combining threat and arrogant swagger. His appearance adds an orthodox western feel to the movie, as it gives a contrasting character to the funny Isaiah.
- Vanessa Bell Calloway as Mama Turner: She plays Isaiahs mother, who is emotionally quite vibrant, kind and headstrong. In these early scenes, Calloway helps to explain the point of Isaiahs arc and prepares the audience for the trials about to come.
The action-comedy The Cherokee Kid is powered by Paris Barclay, a respected director in both film and television. His film serves as a way for him to diversify a genre, in this case, the western, which has been and continues to be dominated by a single Sub-Saharan African ethnicity.
IMDB Rating: 6.0/10
From a variety of reviews, The Cherokee Kid received “mixed to positive” praise from viewing audiences, although many complimented the Sinbad character and the film’s humor. It is certainly not a critical success, though it has grown to be a well-loved tv movie and a cult favorite, especially among western comedy and Sinbad fans.
Personal Insights
The Cherokee Kid is a soft-hearted comedy which makes anyone from the audience chuckle. It is definitely a first among westerns. The charm of Sinbad and his sense of timing for comedy fits within the themes of the movie. This makes the film more suitable for mass consumption than many classic westerns. Even as he bumbles through gunfights and showdowns, his performance as Isaiah Turner is enjoyable, realistic and down to earth.
The combination of humor and heart is what makes this film unique. It’s a Western film but doesn’t take itself too seriously. Thanks to characters such as Otter Bob or The Undertaker, the audience can enjoy comic relief while witnessing the happenings that help the protagonist develop his abilities and self-esteem. The audience knows the story revolves around blood feud which is typical in most Western films but then here, it’s Isaiah’s first attempts to be the hero that is awkward and ungainly.’
Still, The Cherokee Kid is able to provide a fresh perspective on a quest for retribution and restoration. The evolution of Isaiah from an inept farmer to an effective and respected outlaw is interesting and the supporting cast, especially James Coburn and Gregory Hines, who are both tough veterans, only improves it. It is not merely a comedy, but an amusing lyrical tribute to the Western genre with an innovative spin to it.
Cultural Significance
In what genre has there been an African American and a Native American actor without stereotyping? In The Cherokee Kid, this approach goes against the common compositional representation in cinematography, through rethinking the Western Frontier. The film features various characters on the Western frontier who have important contributions to make in the unfolding of the story.
Isaiah Turner, played by Sinbad, is in stark contrast to the traditional Western heroes, who are mostly tough and domineering white characters. Focusing WBCo’s story on a Black hero brings relevance to the genre for modern audiences and various other viewpoints. In addition, the movie manages to lightly address issues of race and identity in a less political tone than most of the other movies released in the 1990s, representing the ongoing transformations around those concepts at that time period.
On top of that, The Cherokee Kid centers comedy within the western genre for the audiences who don’t usually watch westerns which is refreshing to say. The film is a balanced blend of action and humor and has a wide cast making it a good family film.
Final Remarks
The film, The Cherokee Kid starring Sinbad and released in 1996, is a Western film that has components of a comedy which takes the viewer through laughter, several action scenes and a story that deals with family and justice. The film is perfect for the fans of simple Western movies and those who appreciate the artistry of the comedian – Sinbad. The American movies, Westerns in particular, are dramatic by nature, this one does not possess the same impact but offers something fun and different, and its a TV movie which will always be watched by those who value its humor.