Savages

This is an entertaining movie if you're into adrenaline rushing violence. Mind you, I watch movies in every genre, from the independents, to the serious, to the classics, to the blockbusters. This one had enough going that it held my attention, even though morally I was against the content, but it's just a movie. I'm not participating. I can watch a film about drug dealers, but it doesn't mean I want to be one. This film has two men who are laid back all american surfer type pot dealers in Laguna Beach who share a hot sex pot blonde woman. Right there you may already be offended. I certainly didn't approve of that flamboyant unusual relationship, if one were to call it that, but it's just a movie. Just because I won't do something like that doesn't mean you can't. It was just over the top to me and absurd, but that's not what this is about. In fact, that first half of the film droned on a bit too long instead of getting to the point of the film. I enjoyed the overall premise where that sex pot is taken hostage by a top Mexican drug lord because the two men that share the girl won't go into business with them. The twist I liked was that the top violent Mexican drug lord....was a woman! Played ferociously by Salma Hayek, who you don't want to mess with in this. Beyond that it was just all mindless, yet interesting hostile entertainment I wouldn't want to live through. I enjoyed the performances by Salma, John Travolta who plays a corrupt cop, and Benecio Del Toro who is Salma's thug assassin. I would not recommend this film to anyone under 18 at all whatsoever. It has nudity, endless fornication, sex without love, harsh language, and brutal graphic violence. This may even be too much for sensitive adults. But if you watch action type films or can handle anything, AND you're over 18, then you may enjoy the twists and turns in this, as well as Salma Hayek's strong presence as a female drug lord. Now I'm pretty cool and find that certain films are actually okay for teenagers, but this one is just too aggravating and offensive for anyone under 18. I'm sure some teenage boys may disagree, but this is a bit much. I enjoyed it as an adult able to handle the extremities of this, but you might not.

Savages is about two easy going, anonymous, laid-back pot dealers who each love and share a woman (also known as the sex taboo subject polygamy), lives their lives in subtle harmony, until they get unfortunately affiliated with a ruthless drug dealer who goes to kidnapping their girlfriend after not applying to their rules and codes. This film deals heavily with the Mexican drug cartel, dealing, trafficking, and usage; especially marijuana. The violence isn't pervasive, but it is very graphic, bloody and brutal when it occurs. An intense and voracious shootout occurs in the end, ending with multiple people dead, a man is sadistically tortured and set on fire alive (you see one of his eyes graphically hanging out of its socket), a couple gets brutalized and shot, and a very disturbing video clip of a drug dealer surrounded by decapitated human heads. Language is frequent and strong (uses of f**k and sh*t). Also, there's a couple scenes of sexuality (few scenes show some nudity but not overly graphic) all involving sensual thrusting and moaning, including a rape scene (no nudity shown). Savages is actually a well-made action film with a couple fresh ideas and beautiful cinematography, but NOT intended for children whatsoever. Rated R for strong brutal bloody violence including gruesome images, language, sexuality, and drug use. Violence (4/5) Language (3/5) Sex (4/5) Drugs (4/5) Intensity (4/5)