Well Made Action Film

Rating: Null/10 (24 September 2005)

**1/2 out of ****
Now here is a cool idea. A film with a Quentin Tarantino plot and Robert Rodriguez action. It makes you almost believe that it could be twice as good as PULP FICTION (1994) and DESPERADO (1995). And it is, kind of.
The plot is relatively complicated. Two brothers, Seth (George Clooney, who does very well here) and Richie (Director Quentin Tarantino who is just plain scary in this film) are on a crime spree(NATURAL BORN KILLERS should ring a bell)and kidnap a priest and his two children. They drive to Mexico and find a biker joint, whose residents cause quite a damper on their evening. The second half of the film is pure action and mayhem at its loudest and its most explosive.
Here is the problem with this film. It feels like two completely different films in one. The first half of the film is just like another QT classic. It has all the plot, over the top action, and intelligent script. It is a really great road movie. But then, the halfway mark approaches. The film turns from cool to Wacked Out. We no longer have the cool dialog and neat characters. Now we have a film, somewhat like a horror film, that is too quick, too strange, too random, and too action packed for us to care about anything other than what neat special effect they have next, or, who is going to survive. Kind of like a Rodreguez film.
Still, if you are looking for a really fun movie full of action, adventure, laughs, and horror, this should suit you fine. If you are just in it for the Quintin Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez stuff, you might be disappointed. I enjoyed this film a lot. But I was kind of hoping it would be a lot more organized.
Watch for Selma Hayak is a small but unbelievably sexy role. The film is worth watching just for her.
Rated R for strong violence and gore, language and nudity.