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2011, 09-06:
Review of film: “SAVING PRIVATE PEREZ”
At first, this (mainly-subtitled) PG-13 105-minute film seemed like it was going to be a comedy... But, while it had some humorous “undertones”, it turned out to be mainly a DRAMA with an unexpected amount of battle ACTION inherent in it...
... As the film starts, we meet children playing in a desert area of Mexico... Julian Peréz (ALEX CERVANTES) is playing with his older brother, Juan Peréz Nomel, shooting bottles with a slingshot...
... After a progression in time, we see that Julian has led a “hardscrabble” life, with his father having been killed in GANG violence...
... The life he’s led has caused Julian to become a “tough” kid by the time he was a teenager...
... When he at one point is threatened by people who’d murdered his dad, he tells the main guy, no, he’s DOESN’T regret his “attitude” towards them (& then he proves that to them in a forceful manner)...
... In time, Julian himself becomes an adult (now played by MIGUEL RODARTE), & he’s a feared rich CRIME LORD (seemingly rooted on the drug trade). He has to fight-off people who are trying to encroach on his “territory”...
... And, he’s pretty pleased that he’s considered the “SEXIEST” Cartel member in Mexico...
... At one point, he visits his elderly ill mother, Doña Elvira de Peréz (ISELA VEGA). She tells him that she won’t “forgive” him for his past actions unless he finds his brother JUAN -- who’s missing in IRAQ after joining the US military to fight there as a Private. He’s further told, he must bring Juan back ALIVE to satisfy her...
... Wanting his mother’s approval (since “family is everything”), Miguel sets to putting-together a “TEAM” to go WITH him to Iraq in his private Rescue “mission”...
... We see various discussions with associates such as his “right-hand” assistant, Eladio (JAIME CAMIL)... He chooses who to “interview”, & then “TESTS” certain people to determine whether they’ll be GOOD for the operation...
... For the most part, Miguel wants to use older (50-60-ish) people he’s “familiar” with from PAST undertakings (including fighting against various of his crime-lord RIVALS), in large part because they’ve shown themselves to be LOYAL & competent...
... In various scenes, we see how he “tests” & recruits people like Chema Diáz (JESÚS OCHOA)...
... And Rosalío Medoza (JOAQUIN COSIO)...
... And his old Indian boyhood friend, Carmelo Benavides (GERARDO TARACENA)...
... Jaime feels it’s wise to also have a skilled younger person, & recommends Pumita (RODRIGO OVIETO)...
... But Miguel is initially very AGAINST using him, since he’d worked for a RIVAL crime-lord & in fact had SHOT Miguel in the past... But, realizing he’s very talented, Miguel reluctantly agrees to have him join his “troop”...
... The gang gets together at Miguel’s palacial place, & he explains how he wants them to come along to IRAQ to rescue his brother who’s been captured by some REBELS there...
... Gerardo is unsure where that place even is LOCATED... And, in fact, MIGUEL is obviously not too clear about things himself...
... But, others are arranging all the DETAILS of the trip, & the guys join him in going to his private JET that will take them to Turkey to then cross the border into Iraq...
... Altho it’s unclear precisely where his brother is being HELD, Miguel offers his opinion to the others that, “Juan is ALIVE. I KNOW it!...”
... In Turkey, they connect with a hired GUIDE— enthusiastic Sasha Boginski (MARIUS BIEGAI). He speaks English, Russian, Arabic & SPANISH, & works hard to translate things for them & line up the equipment & arrangements they’ll need in Iraq...
... In due course, “Pérez’s Marauders” ARRIVE in Iraq, drive around, & try to find out just WHO is holding brother Juan & WHERE...
... Since they’re riding around heavily armed, they start being “NOTICED” a lot-- by the freedom-loving local Iraqis, TERRORIST groups, & also the U.S. Military who doesn’t know exactly “who” they are or WHY they’re there (& who are also looking for captured Juan)...
... Marius keeps finding out new information, & that leads them to DIFFERENT places as they try to ferret out just where the terrorists are HOLDING Juan, & then make efforts to try to RESCUE him...
... That, naturally, gets them involved in an increasing number of FIREFIGHTS with the groups that are holding Juan or searching for him...
... Things eventually reach a point that a TANK is sent against Miguel’s group...
... Will Miguel FIND his brother Juan?... Will his group be able to liberate him?...
... Will the U.S. military be able to STOP Miguel’s “interference” in “their” area of engagement?...
... And, what will happen to the individual MEMBERS of Miguel’s gang?!...
... This movie (filmed in both Mexico & Turkey) turned out to be a quite pleasant SURPRISE: it has some mild comedy segments, but lots of very WELL-DONE modern combat FIGHTING sequences (which is not something most people would tend to “associate” with “usual” Mexican films!)...
... The characters are memorably created & acted (with distinctive “personalities”), the special effects are effective, & it’s an ENJOYABLE film. Thus, I’m rating it at 8.00 out of 10 stars...
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