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Issue 43 / 2012
SAVAGES
If you spent the noughties wondering what on earth happened to Oliver Stone, the once fearless director of Platoon and JFK, then you're not alone. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps managed to end the decade on a high, but memories of World Trade Center and Alexander remain. Regardless of quality, what grates most about Stone's recent output is how pedestrian it all is.
His latest, Savages, could almost be seen as a cinematic apology, with Stone delivering a big, bold spectacle – igniting when Californian pot-farmers Ben (Aaron Johnson) and John (Taylor Kitsch) turn down an offer to join drug baroness Elena (Salma Hayek). In an effort to teach them respect, steely henchman Lado (Benicio Del Toro) is sent to kidnap the pair's shared girlfriend O (Blake Lively). If you find pseudo-polygyny
COMING SOON...
Directed by Oliver Stone, this American crime thriller features an all star cast that fight against a Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend.
to be a bit "out there", be prepared – it's one of the films most convincing aspects.
Things get very weird, very fast. As O's opening voiceover warns, "It's that kind of a story". It's also a very violent one, to be expected when the drug cartel in question solve their problems via chainsaw. But despite all the stabbings, beheadings and torture on show, Stone maintains a cartoonish tone throughout, not too dissimilar to that of Kill Bill: Volume One. He also makes the most of his brilliant supporting cast; Del Toro gives good psychopath, while John Travolta impresses as a corrupt CIA agent. But the standout is Hayek. Often armed only with a scowl and a Cleopatra wig, she's a truly fearsome presence – no mean feat in a film filled with tough guys with firepower.
TAKEN 2
Liam Neeson is back in ass- kicking form in the sequel to his 2008 hit.
FRANKENWEENIE
Tim Burton expands his 1984 short film about a resurrected dog into a feature-length romp, featuring the voice talents of Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara.
SKYFALL
After the disappointing Quantum of Solace, American Beauty direc- tor Sam Mendes has stepped in to steer the franchise back on track.
