Savages

Savages, not to be mistaken with The Savages from a few years ago, is based on the novel by Don Winslow and finds two young drug dealers willingly and happily in love with the same woman. It creates a fresh kind of love triangle; one without any conflict whatsoever. Directed by Oliver Stone, this is a breath of fresh air; a step back in time to films like Natural Born Killers and U-Turn. Maybe a little bit Platoon even. Maybe it's the story, or the ultra-violence. Maybe it's the compelling characters, or the blunt action scenes. Whatever it is, it's a shot in the arm. It's old-school Oliver Stone.

Chon (Taylor Kitsch) and Ben (Aaron Johnson) are best friends, and they couldn't be more different in their personalities except for their two commonalities; O (Blake Lively) and Marijuana. As described in great detail in the previews, Ben is the brains and Chon is the brawn. It's a great partnership until the Mexican drug cartel, led by the inspired Salma Hayek and Benecio Del Toro try to put them under their thumbs.

The make it or break it element to any action drama is the bad guy. It's not a secret by any stretch of the imagination. the more intimidating and realistic the bad guys, the better the film. Period. Del Toro gives his best performance since Traffic, and Salma Hayek shows that she's a cold, heartless kingpin. They are frightening, and Stone knows it. He adds Taliban-style executions and tortures for effect, and it only adds fuel to the Latin fire.

Set in beautiful Laguna Beach, Ben, Chon, and O are living the high life. Ben's a pacifist, botanist, and business major, and Chon is a former Navy SEAL with a really scary violent streak, and together they are living on top of the world until Hayek sends Del Toro to absorb Ben and Chon's methods, and their "best in the world" weed derived from Afghan seeds that Chon brought back from the war. It's an enticing story to say the least.

Taylor Kitsch is a rising star after two mega-blockbusters (and box office disappointments) but this is a meaty role, and he impresses. I didn't see John Carter, but I imagine it is a showcase of his beefcakeness (that's right, I created a new word) just like Battleship was cheesy action and he was the Ben Affleck of Pearl Harbor or Armageddon. No, Kitsch redeems himself with this role, and I really couldn't see anyone else in the role. I'm really looking forward to his next - Peter Berg's Lone Survivor based on Operation Redwings in Afghanistan. Should be another great performance.

Aaron Johnson is a bit unrecognizable, but he was the lead in 2010's Kick-Ass, and he has grown up in the last 2 years. Only 22, he plays the long-haired hippy very well. He has the inner-struggle more than any other character, forced into this violent world in direct contradiction to his Buddhist ideals of pacifism. He's British, but you wouldn't know it (isn't it amazing how the Brits can pull off American with such ease?) and will next be seen in Kick-Ass 2, and Anna Karenina.

Blake Lively is a bit too whimsical and happy-go-lucky. It fits for the role and the character, the damsel in distress. She's a beautiful young actress, and proved that she's more than just a pretty face in 2010's The Town. She fits nicely in this role, and complements each of the leading men in a different way, but both positively.

John Travolta plays the dirty DEA agent who is looking for a piece from both the best friends, and the cartel, and he pulls a Chili Palmer with his attitude and his swagger. Eventually, the heat gets to be too much and Ben and Chon find their beloved kidnapped, and they need to find a way to get her back together.

It's beautiful because Ben and Chon are so close, it's almost like they are brothers. They have a commitment and trust with each other that is unheard of, and throwing in the mix that they're sharing the same girl and not complaining or jealous is just a really fresh and empowering idea. Their relationship thrown on stage with a backdrop of drug cartels, millions of dollars, and violence is a really fun time.

One complaint I have is that the previews give away far too much detail and plot. Granted, Oliver Stone does have a slightly more discerning audience than say, James Cameron or Ridley Scott, but that doesn't mean you have to give everything away, Oliver! The previews do it justice by conveying some of the more exciting shots, and there's no confusion thanks to the narration by Lively, but I would have liked to been surprised just a little bit.

The ending has a small twist, and is tragic, but predictable. The ride however, is full of adrenaline. Savages is gritty and violent. Not for the faint of heart, but that's never been Stone's play anyway. Check it out if you're a fan of the genre. It won't disappoint you. 8/10.