Cartel War (2010) User Reviews

Say cheese-y

[a_imdb-1994 · 4/10 · 4 April 2010]

Watched this movie at a recent film fest, I came into it with some decent expectations. I was not blown away. The movie was alright for a lower budget film, so I hope they didn't spend a lot on it. The special effects weren't too bad, but the sound effects were bad. The same gunshot sound effects over and over drowned out everything else. A lot of the time the background noise was way too loud, sometimes I couldn't hear what was being said. A couple of times I could hear the actors digesting... I think they put mic's in their mouths. During tense parts, the camera was shaky, just to make sure the audience understood it was supposed to be tense. The movie had flashy cars, flashy babes, flashy clothes, cheesy lines, cheesy scenes, and follows detectives around, no not CSI: Miami, Disrupt/Dismantle. The only difference between these guys and real police is that these guys are much bigger rebels, yeah we wear leather jackets, we do what we want, we drink on the job etc etc. I was glad when it was free, but then because it was so long I had to pay for parking, not worth it.

Not worth watching unless your very stuck for something

[franciscraven · 5/10 · 5 December 2012]

This film is a low budget fairly standard cops vs drug dealers. The cops being the generally decent type who are a bit rough but do what it takes to get the job done. While driving sports cars, wearing leather jackets with shades and torn jean. Main cop lives for his job and has nothing else. The bad guys are south American very rich drug dealing totally evil no redeeming features kill people for the slightest mistake kind. While living in big houses, driving sports cars and wearing expensive shirts or no shirts at all. With lots of women in bikini's on top and a evil/twisted sister thrown in for good measure. This film was made with a low budget and I want to like it because the actors appeared to be trying hard and I felt they cared. However it's hard to do that when they blow all the budget on fast cars and use every chance they can to put nipples on the screen. They have a strip club scene. I cannot recommend this film but I did feel slightly up beat by the end so I gave it a 5 instead of a 4. The current average of 4.4 is about right.

Not my taste, but it has its good qualities

[vchimpanzee · 16 June 2014]

It's not a distinctive cop movie. Still, I saw some worthwhile acting performances.

Is this family friendly? Of course not. There is plenty of violence and even snorting of cocaine. I thought there were serious sound problems but I finally figured out people were actually cursing that much and the sound was going out when they did. There are even blurred subtitles. A couple of the dead bodies are really disgusting. One was in the water for a long time and isn't even recognizable as human.

Occasionally there is comedy. I particularly liked the informant who wouldn't give any information for $20 but was willing when he got $100. The pretty female coroner isn't bothered at all by this body that was fished out of the water. She is, however, not happy with the guy eating a sandwich right there in the room. How can anyone eat in such a situation? A black cop is frustrated he is limping and going to therapy because a white guy shot him. Then there is the scene where the small-time dealer is at again. "Five-O!" Shouts a kid. This was just funny.

This isn't my kind of movie, but it might be yours.

Cheap, scuzzy, and stupid

[Leofwine_draca · 2/10 · 14 February 2018]

CARTEL WAR Is one of the worst 'mainstream' films I've seen in a while and I'm surprised it made it to television here in the UK given that the budget is so obviously low. It's the usual run-around tale of drug gangs, criminals, and rivals battling it out to the death whl the cops look on helplessly. The film is notable for being very cheap and scuzzy-looking, with bad acting and camerawork that seems designed to give you a headache. It's obviously trying to be mean and gritty like a David Ayer film but the end result is anything but stylish. The characters are all unlikeable, the plot seems to go on and on forever, and the endless focus on fallen women and 'erotic' scenes is merely tiresome.

Unknown cast, Surprisingly good performances, and almost solid story/plot

[MickyFin · 7/10 · 4 December 2012]

I first heard about the making of this film back in 2009, and was under the impression it was going to be yet another low budget, displeasing film based on the overkilled already filmed stories of drug lords, but how wrong was I?

OK, there are plot holes, and a mismatch of soundtrack, and sound effects, but bloody hell, this film actually exceeded my expectations personally.

What I cannot understand is why are there so many talented actors, and actresses in this film that I have not seen or heard of before? There are also veteran actors, and actresses cast in this film who are equally as impressive, many, outstanding performances.

How can a film like this go under the radar for so long, and why was there such a long time between the film being shot, and then reaching DVD? Almost three years!

One has to wonder if there were legal things going on, or if it were a case of Hollywood trying to restrict the producers, writers etc.

If anyone from the film, be it, writer, actor, actress, director, who wishes to shed more light on these questions above, please feel free to contact me, or post a reply here. It would be greatly appreciated.

Mickyfin

I thought this was a very good drama.

[dpraptor · 8/10 · 23 October 2018]

As far as movies about drug lords go, this one was pretty good. I liked the ending, it was very satisfying! The acting was great and believable, and the story was compelling. Definitely worth a watch.

I really loved the song used in the movie, "And Away We Go" by "five star carni", but I cant find that song anywhere! There is no soundtrack from the movie, wish I could get a copy of that song! The band is on My Space, but not that song....

but great movie anyway! Highly Recommended!