Plot:
“Pot growers Ben and Chon face off against the Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend.”
Cast:
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Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, John Travolta, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Emile Hirsch, and Demián Bichir
Thoughts:
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Let’s discuss the actors first. Blake Lively as the lead female? Not believable. She just can’t act and I don’t forgive Oliver Stone for giving her those voice-overs. Not one bit. And why would anyone make Taylor Kitsch a lead role in a movie? (The last time that happened, we had Battleship and John Carter, two movies that tanked HARD at the box office) He just can’t act and honestly, from his performance in this movie, it doesn’t look like he wants to act either. Aaron Taylor-Johnson had promise. He really did. But there’s a scene in the movie where he starts crying after a big shoot-out and everything just fell apart right there. All of their characters were stereotypes (Lively as the free-spirited, troubled, rich girl. Kitsch as the tough guy. And Johnson as the sensitive guy) and they did their job portraying those stereotypes, but that's it. They didn't do any more than what was written for them on paper and that's why this movie doesn't exactly work. Let’s discuss their relationship. These three are in love. Why? I don’t know, that part was never really explained. What’s so special about Blake Lively’s character, other than her outward appearance? I don’t know, that part was never really explained either which made it difficult to believe that these guys would kill for her. Let’s discuss the story. I was completely shocked by what goes on in this movie. Not the content, necessarily, but the way the content is executed. I was constantly being thrown off guard by the actions of the characters in this movie. Let’s discuss the style. The cinematography saves the day. Plain and simple. This movie is full of life, full of color, full of great sets… However, it comes up short. Actually, at 131 minutes, this movie SHOULD’VE been shorter. Was I bored while watching this movie? No. It’s entertaining at best. Action fans will get what they asked for but in terms of plot and acting, Savages is unpredictable in a predictable sort of way.
Warning:
If you’re not okay with blood, torture, or violence, I DEFINITELY recommend you see something else. If you’re not okay with profanity or sexual situations, I’d recommend you see something else. If you’re looking for a great movie with a great cast, I’d say, go watch something else.
