Savages - 2012 - 6/10
Reefer wars movie, directed by Oliver Stone, who was apparently watching too many Tarentino flicks.
Mexican drug cartel tries to muscle in on boutique, California growers, expecting them to roll over and agree to anything.
Kidnappings, ambushes, and gunplay follow in due course.
I watched the unrated version. Violence and mayhem, no nudity.
Stone is usually good providing background info, but that was lacking in this film.
The reason Mexican cartels are trying to get a foothold in the States is because their product, slagged in the States as “pedro” is losing marketshare to US grown “hydro.” Latter being more potent, and more expensive.
As more states decriminalize, then legalize, marijuana, cartels lose power and influence (ref: mobsters during Prohibition). So the argument goes.
Stone barely touched this area, and it would have made the plot more coherent, and character motivations clearer.
The premise that a band of stoners, even ex military, could take on a powerful cartel is difficult to accept.