Danland Movies

“Savages” is the latest film from controversial but highly regarded American film-maker Oliver Stone. Last seen guiding Gordon Gekko back to the big screen in 2010’s “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”, Stone returns to original material with “Savages”.  “Savages” follows Laguna Beach entrepeuners Ben (Aaron Johnson, “Kick-Ass”) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch “John Carter”), a pair who produce and sell some of the best marijuana on the market. They also share a unique love triangle with the desirable O (Blake Lively, “The Town”), living a perfect, dreamy life in sun-drenched surroundings. However things are complicated when a Cartel moves into the territory, violently insisting that the boys saddle up with them if they wish to survive. It takes the aid of a corrupt DEA agent (John Travolta, “Hairspray”) to help them try and restore balance to their lives and to save a kidnapped O whop has been taken hostage. The film also stars Salma Hayek (“Grown Ups”) and Benicio Del Toro (“The Wolfman”).

Even when he misfires Oliver Stone is an interesting director, as evidenced by some of his more recent work. “Savages” looks to provide a concrete return to past standards for the director, and like all his best works will doubtless have something big and brash to say on the subjects of law enforcement and drug circulation. Stone has shown a delight in damaged characters throughout his career, here looking to add another few uneven souls to his CV in the form of Kitsch and Johnson. Both are admittedly offbeat selections and not particularly indicative of Stone’s usual casting choices (although this is a man who placed Charlie Sheen in not one, but two absolute gems), yet based on the trailer they should concoct a refreshing and honest dynamic. Lively is another actress on an upward trajectory, her work in Ben Affleck’s “The Town” was incredibly assured and despite last year’s “Green Lantern” tanking, Hollywood still seems keen on her. Having seasoned heavyweights like Travolta, Hayek and Del Toro can also only help matters.

Co-writing with blockbusting veteran Shane Salerno (“Armageddon”) , Stone looks to have a hit on his hands with “Savages”, melding social observations, emotional disconnect and tense set-pieces into a must see effort for 2012. The film opens in UK cinemas on the 28^th September.

Sponsored Post, 2012