Savages **½

Oliver Stone directed this Thriller. Watch Preview. Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, Emile Hirsch, Demian Bichir. Rated R for strong brutal and grisly violence, some graphic sexuality, nudity, drug use and language throughout. Running time is two hours and ten minutes.

Based on Don Winslow's best-selling crime novel which was named one of The New York Times' Top 10 Books of 2010. A peaceful and charitable Buddhist (Johnson), and his closest friend Chon (Kitsch), a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary, run a lucrative, homegrown industry—raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty, Ophelia (Lively). Things go South when the Mexican Baja Cartel (Hayek and Del Toro) decides to move in and demands the trio partner with them and kidnaps the girl friend.  Several ex-military buddies step in to help get her back and a corrupt drug official (Travolta) may be helping, also.

I can't say I'm a wild fan of Stone's work but here he provides us with a craftsman-like effort, if not particularly enjoyable cinema. Violent movies don't bother me that much but this one carries the violence to an extreme, although it's probably in keeping with what really happens. The film is too long, a lot of the prelude could have been edited without destroying the story. My big problem is I didn't really care for any of the characters. The two guys have a working relationship that just doesn't feel right and Lively's character appears to have partaken in too much of their product, making me wonder why the two guys find her so irresistible. It is basically just a crime drama, well made but not exceptional. This should be an acceptable film for the 18-35 crowd but it's not much of a dating movie, and I think under 18 will find it too intense, as will many of the older than 35 crowd.

There are no additional scenes once the final credits start. Screen size is basically unimportant. Theatres/Times.