There's been a great deal said about Mel Gibson over the past few years and much of it has been disparaging to say the least. Unfortunately, many critics and cinema-goers seem unable (or perhaps unwilling) to separate salacious gossip about Gibson's personal life from his quality as an actor and the strength of his films. Consequently, The Beaver divided opinion last year and barely made a splash at the box office and Get The Gringo (released in the UK as How I Spent My Summer Vacation) has similarly slipped under the surface with barely a ripple.
In both cases it's a great pity and, whilst I'm sure it will have dented Gibson's pride (and bankability as far as the studios and investors are concerned), the real loss is yours. With The Beaver you missed a quirky treat, with Get The Gringo, you've missed a summer action delight. Thank goodness for DVDs! For those who saw the trailer, it is almost entirely the opening scene of Get The Gringo and is a stomping good start. Driver (Gibson) is a criminal on the run from the American cops and heading to the Mexican border with his soon-to-be-dead fellow crook. Driver may be the criminal here but he evades one group of bent cops only to fall into the hands of another and winds up in the notorious El Pueblito where corruption exceeds that of either America's or Mexico's police forces. Tight-lipped about the origin of the huge stash of cash in his car, Driver quickly sizes up the situation in jail and makes plans that quickly become influenced by a young boy, known simply as 'Kid', and his mother, Kid's Mother (according to the credits), both of whom live in the prison and have their own fears and problems to contend with.
Don't be concerned by Driver's voice-over across the opening scenes; it quickly ends and evolves rapidly into the finest prison flick since The Shawshank Redemption, though an entirely different filmic beast.
It's a thoroughly entertaining romp where we cheer for the crook who, though far from honest, is a much better bet than anyone else around. Get The Gringo is fun, at times funny, throws in a few grimaces and is packed with action that, while not up to the pace or jaw-dropping fluidity of The Raid, is nonetheless absorbing, engaging and the most fun I've had in front of the big screen this week.
Kevin Hernandez gives a creditable performance as the boy who is both dignified and canny, a born survivor, while Delores Heredia is sensitive as his determined mum and succeeds in being warm and an obvious potential love-interest without slipping into damsel-in-distress mode. There isn't a weak link amongst the supporting cast, most of whom are unknown to audiences north of the Mexican border (and across the Atlantic) but there are a few moments of 'Isn't he the bloke from ?' although both Bob Gunton and Peter Stormare should be familiar to most.
Naturally, the star and standout performance is from Gibson in a grittier, older, weathered and more cunning version of Lethal Weapon's Riggs. He's effortless in his movement and delivery, he's the ultimate rascal, the bastard brother of Daniel Craig's Bond and the guy you absolutely want on your side if you ever end up in a deeply unpleasant Mexican jail.
How bad can it be? Early on, while wandering through the black market traders in the shadows, Driver asks, "Is this a prison of the world's sh*tt*est mall?" And if that doesn't make the point, when the warden welcomes his new inmates with a resigned "God bless you," you know it's not going to be a fun home for the duration of your sentence.
In both cases it's a great pity and, whilst I'm sure it will have dented Gibson's pride (and bankability as far as the studios and investors are concerned), the real loss is yours. With The Beaver you missed a quirky treat, with Get The Gringo, you've missed a summer action delight. Thank goodness for DVDs! For those who saw the trailer, it is almost entirely the opening scene of Get The Gringo and is a stomping good start. Driver (Gibson) is a criminal on the run from the American cops and heading to the Mexican border with his soon-to-be-dead fellow crook. Driver may be the criminal here but he evades one group of bent cops only to fall into the hands of another and winds up in the notorious El Pueblito where corruption exceeds that of either America's or Mexico's police forces. Tight-lipped about the origin of the huge stash of cash in his car, Driver quickly sizes up the situation in jail and makes plans that quickly become influenced by a young boy, known simply as 'Kid', and his mother, Kid's Mother (according to the credits), both of whom live in the prison and have their own fears and problems to contend with.
Don't be concerned by Driver's voice-over across the opening scenes; it quickly ends and evolves rapidly into the finest prison flick since The Shawshank Redemption, though an entirely different filmic beast.
It's a thoroughly entertaining romp where we cheer for the crook who, though far from honest, is a much better bet than anyone else around. Get The Gringo is fun, at times funny, throws in a few grimaces and is packed with action that, while not up to the pace or jaw-dropping fluidity of The Raid, is nonetheless absorbing, engaging and the most fun I've had in front of the big screen this week.
Kevin Hernandez gives a creditable performance as the boy who is both dignified and canny, a born survivor, while Delores Heredia is sensitive as his determined mum and succeeds in being warm and an obvious potential love-interest without slipping into damsel-in-distress mode. There isn't a weak link amongst the supporting cast, most of whom are unknown to audiences north of the Mexican border (and across the Atlantic) but there are a few moments of 'Isn't he the bloke from ?' although both Bob Gunton and Peter Stormare should be familiar to most.
Naturally, the star and standout performance is from Gibson in a grittier, older, weathered and more cunning version of Lethal Weapon's Riggs. He's effortless in his movement and delivery, he's the ultimate rascal, the bastard brother of Daniel Craig's Bond and the guy you absolutely want on your side if you ever end up in a deeply unpleasant Mexican jail.
How bad can it be? Early on, while wandering through the black market traders in the shadows, Driver asks, "Is this a prison of the world's sh*tt*est mall?" And if that doesn't make the point, when the warden welcomes his new inmates with a resigned "God bless you," you know it's not going to be a fun home for the duration of your sentence.