This is one pretty fucked up little movie. It's like a two-fer with the way it plays out. I didn't appreciate it at first with the way it unfolds, but it really is a perfect way to reveal the story that has great character development and extreme gore. It's basically two totally different stories merged into one, and it's that much better for it. The first half is a great, tension-filled drama dealing with the aftermath of a prison-break and two brother's run for the Mexican border. The second half is...fuckedupcrazyvampireactiontittytwistergorefilledextravaganza. With heart.
A Texas jailbreak leaves the Gecko brothers the two most wanted criminals after a bank robbery, kidnapping, and killing of some cops and innocent bystanders. Their fate is entwined with an atypical family of a minister who's lost his faith and his adopted son and daughter, taking a roadtrip to Mexico in their motorhome. What nobody expects is the pure insanity that is their destination.
What really makes this movie is the actors involved. I think this is Clooney's finest performance on the big screen (can't say how it compares to E.R., never watched more than 10 minutes of the show), and Harvey Keitel continues to amaze with a heartfelt role as a disillusioned minister, even to the end where things get all kinds of crazy. And of course there is old-school effects master Tom Savini putting in a thoroughly entertaining performance as Sex Machine.
This is an odd amalgamation that I dig even more with every passing viewing. Rodriguez's handheld style is more reserved in the first half, and adds perfectly to the kinectic frenzy as the film goes along. It's difficult to take on such subject matter, I'm glad to see it done in an original way, with some great darkly humorous moments sprinkled throughout. Did I mention Selma Hayek looks even better as Santanico Pandemonium?
