IMDb >
Savages (2012)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditsAwards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guidemessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsmemorable quotesDid You Know?
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
box office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsSavages (2012) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (See all 81 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 14) |
          |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
6 July 2012 (USA)
See more »
Plot:
Pot growers Ben and Chon face off against the Mexican drug cartel who kidnapped their shared girlfriend. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Awards:
6 nominations
See more »
NewsDesk:
(1314 articles)
Jd Salinger documentary gets first screening
(From The Guardian - Film News. 17 May 2013, 4:12 PM, PDT)
Cannes Film Festival 2013: 'Heli' review
(From CineVue. 16 May 2013, 2:20 AM, PDT)
'About a Boy,' 'Sean Saves the World,' J.J. Abrams' 'Believe,' 'Crisis' and more picked up by NBC [Updated]
(From Zap2It - From Inside the Box. 9 May 2013, 12:18 PM, PDT)
(From The Guardian - Film News. 17 May 2013, 4:12 PM, PDT)
Cannes Film Festival 2013: 'Heli' review
(From CineVue. 16 May 2013, 2:20 AM, PDT)
'About a Boy,' 'Sean Saves the World,' J.J. Abrams' 'Believe,' 'Crisis' and more picked up by NBC [Updated]
(From Zap2It - From Inside the Box. 9 May 2013, 12:18 PM, PDT)
User Reviews:
Maybe not profound, but brutal, compelling, memorable and enthralling. This is Oliver Stone on form!
See more (210 total) »
Cast
(in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)
Directed by | |||
| Oliver Stone | |||
Writing credits | ||
| Shane Salerno | (screenplay) & | |
| Don Winslow | (screenplay) & | |
| Oliver Stone | (screenplay) | |
| Don Winslow | (novel) | |
Original Music by | |||
| Adam Peters | |||
Cinematography by | |||
| Daniel Mindel | (director of photography) (as Dan Mindel) | ||
Film Editing by | |||
| Joe Hutshing | |||
| Stuart Levy | |||
| Alex Marquez | |||
Casting by | |||
| Sarah Finn | |||
Production Design by | |||
| Tomas Voth | (as Tomás Voth) | ||
Art Direction by | |||
| Lisa Vasconcellos | |||
Set Decoration by | |||
| Nancy Nye | |||
Costume Design by | |||
| Cindy Evans | |||
Makeup Department | |||
| Rhonda Ann Burns | .... | hair stylist | |
| Diana Choi | .... | wig maker | |
| Bill Corso | .... | makeup department head | |
| Sasha Glasser | .... | makeup production assistant | |
| Mary L. Mastro | .... | hair department head | |
| Randi Mavestrand | .... | makeup: second unit | |
| Mike Mekash | .... | makeup artist | |
| Elaine L. Offers | .... | key makeup artist | |
Production Management | |||
| Sheryl Benko | .... | post-production supervisor | |
| Meredith Meade | .... | production supervisor: splinter unit | |
| Daniel A. Mondschain | .... | production supervisor | |
Special Effects by | |||
| Mark R. Byers | .... | special effects supervisor | |
| Sam Dean | .... | special effects on-set technician | |
| Al Marangoni | .... | special effects technician | |
| Nick Marra | .... | special effects makeup | |
| Ken Rudell | .... | special effects technician | |
| Keith Suzuki | .... | special effects foreman | |
Visual Effects by | |||
| David Burton | .... | visual effects supervisor: With A Twist Studio | |
| Harry Eisenstein | .... | compositor | |
| Gizem Ersavas | .... | digital matte painter: Crazy Horse Effects | |
| Bradley Gaines | .... | compositor: With A Twist Studio | |
| Christina Graff | .... | visual effects producer | |
| Paul Graff | .... | visual effects supervisor | |
| Pam Hammarlund | .... | visual effects producer: With A Twist Studio | |
| Hetal Jain | .... | producer: BOT VFX | |
| Derek Ledbetter | .... | digital compositor | |
| Blake Loyd | .... | compositor | |
| Adam Matis | .... | digital compositor: Crazy Horse Effects | |
| David Matusek | .... | visual effects editor | |
| Luke McDonald | .... | digital effects supervisor: CHE | |
| Patrick Paul Mullane | .... | matte painting: Crazy Horse effects | |
| Howard Nourmand | .... | main title designer | |
| Brian Sales | .... | compositing supervisor: Crazy Horse Effects | |
| Sankarasubramanian | .... | paint & rotoscoping supervisor: BOT VFX | |
| Gregory S. Scribner | .... | compositing supervisor | |
| Hitesh Shah | .... | producer: BOT VFX | |
| Carl Stern | .... | compositor | |
| Judy Webster | .... | visual effects coordinator | |
| Sam Winkler | .... | compositor | |
| Magdalena Wolf | .... | visual effects production manager | |
| Christian Zeiler | .... | digital compositor: Crazy Horse Effects | |
| Brandon Bartlett | .... | cg supervisor: With A Twist Studio (uncredited) | |
| Srikanth | .... | lead paint artist (uncredited) | |
| Jason Ullrich | .... | compositor (uncredited) | |
Casting Department | |||
| Michelle Beatty | .... | extras casting | |
| Judith Bouley | .... | casting consultant | |
| Chris Bustard | .... | extras casting | |
| Joe Cappelletti | .... | adr voice casting | |
| Deborah Gabinetti | .... | casting: Indonesia | |
| Tamara Hunter | .... | casting associate | |
| Terry L. Lamfers | .... | casting executive | |
| Philip Walton | .... | casting assistant | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Sarah Bowman | .... | costume assistant | |
| Michele Flynn | .... | head ager/dyer | |
| Karen Franke | .... | costumer coordinator | |
| Laurel Frushour | .... | set costumer | |
| Dana Kay Hart | .... | costume supervisor | |
| Jason M. Moore | .... | set costumer | |
| Daniel Grant North | .... | costume supervisor | |
| Lisa Parmet | .... | key costumer | |
| Marcy Rector | .... | costumer | |
| Marta Villalobos | .... | costumer | |
| Carmen L. Rodrigues | .... | costume coordinator (uncredited) | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Angel Askins | .... | digital intermediate producer | |
| David Bilow | .... | first assistant editor | |
| Richard A. Eisenstein | .... | post-production technician | |
| Elliott Eisman | .... | assistant editor | |
| Zack Fox | .... | post-production assistant | |
| Brian Gee | .... | assistant editor: Fotokem | |
| Andy Kaplan | .... | senior digital intermediate producer | |
| Stefan Sonnenfeld | .... | digital intermediate colorist | |
| Matthew W. Johnson | .... | digital intermediate editor (uncredited) | |
Music Department | |||
| Budd Carr | .... | music supervisor | |
| Geneviève Thomas Colvin | .... | music coordinator | |
| Bruce Fowler | .... | orchestrator | |
| Kevin Globerman | .... | digital score recordist | |
| Tom Hardisty | .... | music scoring recordist | |
| Stephen Hilton | .... | musician: keyboards and programming | |
| Bryce Jacobs | .... | guitars | |
| Carlton Kaller | .... | music editor | |
| Christopher Kaller | .... | ProTools music coordinator | |
| Kevin Kaska | .... | orchestrator | |
| Jonathan Krimstock | .... | guitarist | |
| Jonathan Krimstock | .... | musician | |
| T.J. Lindgren | .... | additional arranging and programming | |
| Frank Macchia | .... | music preparation | |
| Alan Meyerson | .... | music scoring mixer | |
| Mac Quayle | .... | additional programming | |
| Peter Rotter | .... | music contractor | |
| Carl Rydlund | .... | orchestrator | |
| Ruwanga 'Ru' Samath | .... | composer: additional music | |
| Robert Schaper | .... | music editor | |
| Adam Schmidt | .... | music recording engineer | |
| Monica Sonand | .... | composer assistant | |
| Christian Wenger | .... | mix assistant | |
| Devin Johnson | .... | assistant to the composer (uncredited) | |
Transportation Department | |||
| Ronald Augustus | .... | production van driver | |
| Karen Bathalter | .... | dot administrator | |
| Daniel Davis | .... | driver | |
| Ken Farnell | .... | transportation co-captain | |
| Keith D. Fisher | .... | transportation captain | |
| Margo Hunt | .... | driver | |
| Bill Lopez-Arjona | .... | transportation | |
| Charles Montgomery | .... | driver | |
| Cyril O'Neil | .... | picture car consultant | |
| Don Poole | .... | driver: Oliver Stone | |
| Tom Rebber | .... | picture car coordinator | |
| Richard C. Ryan | .... | driver/generator operator | |
| Aaron Skalka | .... | transportation coordinator | |
| Jay Thompson | .... | driver | |
| Paul Tumber | .... | transportation | |
| Gary Thomas Williams | .... | driver (as Gary 'Little G' Williams) | |
Thanks | |||
| Oliver Stone | .... | special thanks | |
Production CompaniesDistributors
- Pathé (2012) (France) (theatrical)
- Solar Entertainment (2013) (Philippines) (theatrical)
- Toho-Towa (2013) (Japan) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (2012) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (2012) (Greece) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (2013) (Philippines) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (2012) (Singapore) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures Canada (2012) (Canada) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures International (UPI) (2012) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures International (UPI) (2012) (Germany) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures International (UPI) (2012) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Universal Pictures (2012) (USA) (theatrical)
- Zon Audiovisuais (2012) (Portugal) (theatrical)
- Feelgood Entertainment (2013) (Greece) (DVD) (blu-ray)
- Film1 (2013) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
- Universal Home Entertainment (2013) (UK) (DVD)
- Universal Home Entertainment (2013) (UK) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
- Universal Pictures Benelux (2013) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Benelux (2013) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2013) (Germany) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2013) (Germany) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
- Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2012) (USA) (DVD)
- Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2012) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
- Crazy Horse Effects (visual effects)
- BT Industrial Supply expendables
- Bali Film Commission production services
- Cayman Music music publisher
- Central Casting extras casting
- Central City Studio location services and facilities
- Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment camera cranes
- Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment camera dollies
- Company 3 digital intermediate
- De Lane Lea ADR recording
- Direct Tools & Fasteners expendables
- Dolby Laboratories sound mix
- Intelligent Media international monitoring agency
- Pictorvision Eclipse aerial camera system
- Runway Editing post-production
- Runway post-production
- Scarlet Letters end titles
- Scenechronize production management software
- Soundelux post-production sound services
- Todd-AO Studios post-production sound services
- Transportation Resources transportation equipment
- Varèse Sarabande soundtrack
Additional Details
Also Known As:
See more »
MPAA:
Rated R for strong brutal and grisly violence, some graphic sexuality, nudity, drug use and language throughout
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
131 min | USA:141 min (unrated version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:R (certificate #47564) | Canada:18A (Ontario) | Singapore:R21 | Norway:15 | South Korea:18 | UK:15 (cut) (cinema release) | Sweden:15 | Ireland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Australia:MA15+ | New Zealand:R16 | Netherlands:16 | Hong Kong:III | Germany:16 (theatrical version) | Brazil:18 | Mexico:C | Italy:VM14 | Argentina:18 | UK:18 (uncut) (video release) | Japan:R15+ | Philippines:R-18 | France:12 | Germany:18 (extended version)
Did You Know?
Trivia:
For legal reasons, all the marijuana plants in the film are artificial. The production designers visited legal medical marijuana growers to get the details right.See more »
Goofs:
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: When the cartel 'motorcycle cop' comes up to the guy's car, after pulling him over, he has his hand on his holstered pistol. The pistol does not protrude through the bottom (barrel) - standard issue type. But, when the hit-man shoots the guy, there's a silencer on the barrel. There was no time to have screwed one on. However the hit-man has a holstered pistol on his right hip; he grabs the weapon that he uses to kill Frankie with his left hand from the back of his body.See more »
Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Maltin on Movies: The Amazing Spider-Man (#1.80)" (2012)See more »
Soundtrack:
Neptune's NetSee more »
FAQ
Is this a true story?What is the first song?
What are the differences between the Theatrical Version and the Unrated Version?
See more »
See more (210 total) »
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Savages (2012) See more »Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Hacia la oscuridad | Radar Patrol vs. Spy King | Los bastardos | The Universe and I | Leaves of Grass |
|
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
IMDb User Rating: |
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Crime section | IMDb USA section |
Copyright © 1990-2013
IMDb.com, Inc.
Conditions of Use | Privacy Policy | Interest-Based Ads
An 
company.
Savages, the first of my double bill tonight, is Oliver Stone's nineteenth feature as director in a career that has so far won him three Oscars and a fair share of both critical acclaim (Platoon) and vitriolic vituperation (Alexander). It's impossible to know which Stone will be on duty with each release until you hand over paper and take your seat. Savages won't trouble the Academy in February but this is Stone fairly close to the top of his game.
Ben (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch) contrast each other in almost every way emotionally and in their approach to life but they are best friends, business partners and share their lives, their home and their girl, O (Blake Lively). Their business is drugs but not in the seedy, council flat, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels kind of way but in the scientific, multi-million, California kind of way. Life is fun, cash is plentiful and there's even Dennis (John Travolta), a bent DEA agent, vaguely on their side to ensure everything runs smoothly. Then the Mexican Baja Cartel, headed by Elena (Salma Hayek) and her bulldog, Lado (Benicio Del Toro) decide they want a slice of the pie and kidnap O as gentle persuasion.
Savages doesn't have anything new or profound to say about drug smuggling or the multitudinous crimes tied up in the drag trade and there's no great political slant or revelation, which is disappointing after such bold statements from Stone in the likes of JFK and Nixon. But it is a ripping good yarn and there are times when it's just blisteringly fine entertainment. It looks beautiful. The frames are saturated with rich colours and the cinematography is to be celebrated. Each shot is sculpted, each movement feels effortless choreographed.
Stone has paid huge attention to the incidentals, the minutiae. For such a harsh, brash film there is some wonderful subtly in the periphery of the frame and the seemingly disposable dialogue has barbs that tear. Everything is planned & executed explicitly so that there is occasionally too much to absorb, which can be a relief in a film that is so brutal.
The brutality of Savages is numbing from the outset; the opening scene is shocking and horrific despite not being depicted fully for us to endure. This is a violent film in tone far more than in act but don't fool yourself that Savages will be easy on the eyes. It isn't. This is no place for sensitivity and sensitivity is, in fact, murdered in cold blood. Just one more blood splatter in an ocean of claret.
The opening voice-over jars initially but is quickly forgiven because Stone, who also co-scripts, takes his time telling the story. Nothing is rushed; time is taken to explain fully. It's not that he thinks we can't keep up, it's that he's determined we should completely understand everything he wants to show and tell. And while he takes over two hours to spill his beans, it's worth investing in every second to enjoy his tale. So, it's a linear affair with few twists or subplots? It's still an accessible, engaging film that is difficult to shake off after the affair.
Much of Savages' success is in the casting and performance. Stone has shied away from huge, bankable movie stars that have carried so many of his films, instead favouring recognizable actors who play second-fiddle to the characters. Of the principal three, Taylor-Johnson has earned plaudits in the likes of Nowhere Boy and Kick-Ass and is on his way to stardom; Lively, though he provided solid support in The Town, is better known as the small-screen star of Gossip Girl; and Kitsch is just trying to get by after two of this year's biggest turkeys, John Carter and Battleship.
Each if them is watchable, delivering performances that are as entertaining and moving as they are believable, while Hayek chews scenery as a woman you may fantasize about but has serious black widow tendencies. You'd no more mess with her than you would cross Uzis, with Del Toro's Lado, a thug who craves greater acts of sadism and louder screams of agony with every bout of torture he inflicts.
Whenever Travolta turns up in a decent film, I can't help feeling he's been thrown a bone by a sympathetic director (look what Tarantino did for him with Pulp Fiction or Terrence Malick with The Thin Red Line) but will inevitably spit it out and go after a foetid rat. With each career rejuvenation he seems to jump straight back into another Battlefield Earth or Michael. Very much a supporting actor here, he's adequate rather then excellent but proves again he's worthy of so much more than another Swordfish.
There is an art to compiling a film soundtrack and too often we're blasted with something deeply inappropriate because a record company requires a hit – anyone remember the shocking inclusion of I Love It When You Call in rom-com Good Luck Chuck where the second line, but you never call at all, was cut? Fortunately there are no such travesties in Savages' soundtrack, which is dressed with some fabulous covers including Bruce Lash's take on Psycho Killer and Yuna's Here Comes the Sun.
When I asked a member of Cineworld staff if he'd seen Savages yet, he responded "I haven't seen anything since Ted. I only like comedies." If you take a similar view, steer clear of Savages; it is most certainly not for you. But if you're looking for something that requires more thought than the second film of my double-bill, Dredd, and has more to it than noise, guns, blood and smashed heads, Oliver Stone might have provided an option.
For more reviews from The Squiss subscribe to my blog at www.thesquiss.co.uk
Like the Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/RpitOG