Walt Disney has certainly gone down hill since the death of its’ founder, but this charming film is one last vestige of the quality production, family values and rip-roaring fun that Walt Disney (the man) would have promoted.

The wild west has fascinated Americans for -- well, pretty much as long as we can remember, but this luscious film takes a takes a new and unique perspective on that alluring period of American history. At the turn of the century, young teen Daniel Hackett is growing antsy on his father’s farm in a beautiful mid-western valley. He is entranced by the ‘progress’ offered by a mysterious land grabber who appears in town offering to buy up every ranch at sky-rocket price (planning to move his railway and logging business into the area), and is furious when his father refuses to sell. When tragedy strikes, Daniel vows to keep the deed for his father’s farm away from the tycoon at all costs.

However, the black-clothed land grabber has more than one henchman ready to do his bid, and Daniel flees the farm, finally falling asleep in a small boat. When he awakes, his boat is mysteriously stranded in the middle of a desert deep in the wilds of Texas. From there on the adventure only gets wilder - hounded by men willing to kill him for his land deed, Daniel is aided by none other than Pecos Bill (Patrick Swayze), Paul Bunyan and John Henry, the tall-tale figures of whom he had tired of hearing his father talk about.

I was impressed with the cleanliness of the film compared to many modern productions. There are two uses of ‘h***,’ and Pecos calls his slow donkey an ‘a**,’ with a quick rejoinder of, “Pardon my French.” A sketchy woman briefly taunts Daniel in a mining town, and an unfriendly encounter with Calamity Jane reminds Pecos of his past -- calamitous -- relationship with that notorious lady (no innuendos are made and the situation is played out for humor). There is a brief scene in a bar followed by a raucous fight. Varying amounts of violence occur as Daniel is hounded by henchmen, but no one is harmed and no blood is seen. An evil character meets his doom in a brutal -- but completely non-graphic -- manner.

In the beginning of the film Daniel’s attitude towards his father is that of a typically modern, mouthy teen. However, by the end of the film his relationship with positive role model Pecos helps Daniel realize how much he loves his father, and seeing the devastation brought by ‘progress’ to the beautiful west helps him appreciate his home. Overall, the film reveals the importance of family. Daniel learns to honor his parents while simultaneously strengthening his character, and he courageously stands up for what he knows is right. Pecos, Bunyan and Henry all demonstrate loyal friendship and are good, old-fashioned superheroes (Swayze as Pecos Bill has always been one of my favorite heroes). The film enchantingly blends the magic of legends with the trials of real life. Throw in some wonderful quotes and hilarious moments, and you have a lovable family adventure that will inevitably become a favorite -- it has for me.