HOLLYWOOD—Remakes of great or classic films are normally not a favorite part of movie reviewing for me. When a film has such a grand history as “True Grit,” with perhaps one of the biggest leading men in motion picture history making such an incredible and indelible mark in the film as John Wayne did 40 years ago, it’s a bit daunting for a reviewer that is well acquainted with the original to be fair to the actors. You wonder how they can replace such great stars and stories. The good news is the new “True Grit” makes the cut. The film is absolutely amazing to watch, the acting and writing are both superb and directors Ethan and Joel Coen did a magnificent job pacing the film’s action sequences and choosing the most interesting and emotionally gripping scenes to make the final cut.

I have to go on record as saying that I did not like 2007’s “No Country For Old Men,” which the Coen brothers also directed and wrote. I had to eat my words in 2008 when the film took home the Academy Award® for Best Picture. I won’t make the same mistake twice. This film with such a solid acting lineup, led by Oscar winner Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin, Matt Damon and Hailee Steinfeld, kept my attention from the very first frame to the last. Bridges honors Wayne by not trying to impersonate him in the role of Rooster Cogburn. Jeff manages to keep his own unique and strong intensity throughout the film that he has to be considered for another Oscar nomination for this great role. Matt Damon portrays LaBoeuf, and he’s magnetic and very exciting to watch in this role. The heart and soul of the story is the character of Mattie Ross, who is played by a young and captivating Hailee Steinfeld, and Josh Brolin is tapped for the role of Tom Chaney, which he perfectly fits in. Brolin may not be as handsome as his father James Brolin, but he has proven himself to be a much more superior actor than his father.

For anyone unaware of the storyline, here’s a clue. Following the murder of her father by hired hand Tom Chaney, 14-year-old farm girl Mattie Ross sets out to capture the killer. To aid her, she hires the toughest U.S. marshal she can find, a man with ”˜true grit,’ Reuben J. ”˜Rooster’ Cogburn. Mattie insists on accompanying Cogburn, which leads the two on a magnificent journey of drama, passion and ultimately a great payoff by the end of the film.

The film runs 110 minutes, but it’s the fastest two hours of any film I’ve seen in years. For those who believe remakes are a cheat to the audience, or that nothing can be remade and end up being better than the original, you should withhold your judgment and go into the theater and see this film for yourself. Be prepared to be blown out of your seat by the magnificent performances of Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin and Matt Damon, who all three deserve to be nominated for an Academy Award®. The film has nothing that detracts from the brilliant storyline, writing, directing or acting. If it is one thing wrong with it, it’s that it comes to an end. An ending that will leave grown men weeping in poignant disbelief of a truly great western remake, that comes out of the Coen brothers. In my opinion, it’s the Coen brothers very best film of all time.

“True Grit” opens on Wednesday, December 22, around the nation. This reviewer gives the film Five and a half of Five Stars. Don’t miss it.