Savages Review

Savages Review

Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Blake Lively, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Emile Hirsch
Director: Oliver Stone
Genre: Thriller, Crime, Drama
Rated: MA
Running Time: 131 minutes

Synopsis: Three-time Oscar®-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone returns to the screen with an all-star ensemble for the scorching thriller Savages, based on the best-selling crime novel by Don Winslow, which was named one of The New York Times' Top 10 Books of 2010.

Blake Lively stars as Ophelia, the girlfriend to two Laguna Beach entrepreneurs, one an ex-mercenary (Taylor Kitsch) and the other a principled environmentalist (Aaron Johnson), who've built a thriving homegrown industry on the best marijuana ever developed.

When they refuse to sell their business to a brutal Mexican drug cartel, Ophelia is kidnapped, and so begins an escalating series of ploys with savage consequences. Filling out the stellar cast are Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, John Travolta, Uma Thurman and Emile Hirsch.

For more information on the film, see: www.femail.com.au/savages

Verdict: I have no idea why, but I am drawn to crime dramas that centre on drug trafficking and the intriguing Savages lived up to every single one of my expectations in its thrilling portrayal.

Chon and Ben are best friends and high quality marijuana growers/dealers living the high life in Laguna Beach, California until the Mexican drug cartel lead by the merciless yet glamorous Elena (Salma Hayek) demands a business partnership. Both handling the situation completely different although still with mutual respect Ben and Chon agree to co-operate when their girlfriend (yes, they share) is taken hostage and for the sheer fear of decapitated.

All of the characters in Savages have extremely well written back stories providing each actor with the interesting ability to portray their character with so much more than the standard story. Pushing from all Serena expectations, Blake Lively nails the character of Ophelia whilst Taylor Kitsch and Aaron Johnson are extremely convincing in their roles. To be brutally honest, I will have nightmares about Benicio Del Toro which means he played his role perfectly.

Directed with the ultimate skill and filled with action and suspense the films interactions are surprising and have shocked audiences on the edge of their seat without a second of down time. Showcasing the savage in all of us, the film is brutal and violent and as the aggression springs out of control we are left to panic…
Rating: ***

Brooke Hunter

Release Date: October 18th, 2012


Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson Savages
www.femail.com.au/savages.htm