After creating his 1964 classic "A Fistful of Dollars", Sergio Leone became THE director of westerns. Not only did he create a new star for the 20th Century, he created a new breed of westerns. A genius idea which no one else really thought. Why not take our western stories and instead of shooting them in the states, shoot them in the far more beautiful, and exciting, Italy. Spaghetti Westerns, nicknamed after being shot in Italy(obviously), quickly became the number one western. Featuring more complex and darker concepts, much more violence, better music, and more stylized than all the westerns before it.

"For a Few Dollars More" is by far, more enticing and intriguing than its predecessor. Returning are Sergio Leone and star Clint Eastwood, in the role that made him famous. Sergio Leone once again uses his amazing shots of landscape and flawless cinematography, and Eastwood delivers a far better performance. The story is flawless and more enjoyable than the first. Of course, as with any anti-hero, he needs someone whos just as equal to him. Here, in this installment we get another character just as engrossing as its main protagonist. "For a Few Dollars More" is all around better and more enjoyable film than the previous.

The time the story follows "The Man with No Name" as he is on pursuit of a man named "El Indio". Also hot the trail "El Indio" is the stories main antagonist Colonel Douglas Mortimer(The Man in Black), Lee Van Cleef. The two men are both bounty hunters in this flick. "El Indio" is a ruthless criminal who has just escaped from prison along with his entire gang. He is also wanted for the rape of a young woman, who killed herself there after. There is the darker storyline I was talking about. The two bounty hunters team up to go after "El Indio" and capture their reward.
Their first hour of the film just explodes with action, violence, and excitement. After Mortimer stops an incoming train, he kills the whole crew and finds about another man whose been around town, this of course is Eastwood going by the given nickname of "Manco". The find out that Indio is planning on robbing a bank and the two go after him to stop him. Manco gets into the gang and when Indio returns the next day to rob he notices Manco, now reunited with Mortimer, trying to take back the stolen money and to kill them all. They get beaten and left there. Thanks to Indio being stoned on marijuana he lets them both go in hopes of having the gangchase after them and he take all the money.

A shoot out of immense proportions takes place with Manco and Motimer killing of most of the gang. After being held down by Manco he notices that the picture of the woman he raped, inside of his pocket watch, is also in Mortimer's pocket watch, it's later revealed that this was his sister. Manco rides off into the sunset, once again, along with the bounty. Yes I did just ruin most of the movie.

Twice as good as the first this film truly is. The direction in this film is twice as good as the first, the story and acting is far better as well. Clint Eastwood heightened the interest in his character, and gave it his all. Lee Van Cleef was the absolute scene stealer in this film. Creating a character which is both believable, entertaining, mysterious, and cool. Playing the brother looking for revenge isn't easy but he makes it look as easy. Sergio Leone crafted a marvelous thrill ride of excitement, something to watch over and over again. And it keeps you always awaiting the return of the Clint Eastwood riding on that horse. Grade: A