Savages: Review By Bawnian©-Dexeus

Savages is a 2012 action movie.

Directed by: Oliver Stone

Starring: Taylor Kitch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, Salma Hayek, John Travolta, Joaquin Cosio, Demian Bichir and Benicio Del Toro.

I guess there is such a thing as "Wargasms". Told by O (Lively) as she narrates her present life with two loves of her life running a drug business that catches the attention of the Mexican Cartel. Her two lovers are Chon (Kitch) as a former military SEAL soldier who served in Iraq with your average past and Ben, a genius botanical grower with a degree in business. Ben grows the purest marijuana and Chon is the brawn behind the security of their business. The only thing that keeps these two grounded and sane is the polyamorous relationship with their prize possession, O.

I asked a few of my friends, both guys and ladies, if they were going to see Savages. Much to my surprise, most of my male friends declined due to being quickly turned off by the threesome relationship on screen. That's right, and for the females in my friendship group, they were turned off by the execution of the movie; they didin't mind the relationship at all although a bit beneath their tastes. Same women who have gone to all the Twilight events, but that's woman logic we have yet to make sense of.

What do I think? I think the movie should have centered on Benicio Del Toro's character Lado with a story of him and Travolta's character Dennis of the FBI trying to take down Elena (Hayek) and her business against El Azul (Cosio). Del Toro, makes me proud to be a Puerto Rican as he shows just how bad ass his acting abilities are at this point in his career. he plays a better Mexican than a Mexican behaves. With memorable roles from Traffic, Sin City, both Che films and a couple more that escape me at the moment. Kitch, Lively and Johnson combined lack comparison to the Oscar winner.

Travolta, while basically minor, makes me forget about his personal endeavors. I just love watching whine and weasel out of a tough situation only to claim false glory. The man can be a cross dresser for all I care, he's top grade. Notice how he never walks the same in his different roles. Finally, we have Salma Hayek, the lovely latina who I expected more from being the leader of her Cartel business, yet redeems herself when she obligates Chon to nearly pull the trigger in his mouth. Taylor Kitch should consider doing these types of movies from now on. Sure, he's no Jason Statham, but it's better than failing at two box office feature films in a row in the same year two months apart. Blake Lively's only good performance I can think of is in The Town.

The story is all over the place with different pacing that doesn't formulate too well. I just wish they didn't advertise it to be at the same level as Bad Boys, which is what I payed to see, but got something else. I mean, in terms of cinematography, action and some quality explosions, it looked like a Bay film than a Stone film. The only Savage is Del Toro compared to the rest. The only time Kitch and Johnson worked well as a duo is when they are attempting to kill drug lords. I just wanted O to die to have them be rid of all the stress. The last disappointing element would be te lack of sexual execution from Salma Hayek. Lovely to watch, but not Savage enough.

Overall, Del Toro was the highlight of the film. If Savages hopes to get a category next year at the Oscars, best supporting actor is the only one they will get.

Written by: Bawnian©-Dexeus.