Savages

5.4

Oliver Stone wants to be cool again. His latest film, masked underneath hot new talent, sleek photography and a crass script is a run-of-the-mill popcorn flick. At first, it seems like a vehicle for his political thoughts on the marijuana industry. This is quickly dulled by a weak story that's too flashy and convoluted for its own good. The end product is the cinematic equivalent of a 40-year-old trying to blend in with the 20's crowd at a night club.

No one actor really stands out. Old go-to's John Travolta and Benicio Del Toro are on autopilot here but still manage to outshine their young-Hollywood co-stars. For the most part, the entire film feels impersonal and cold. At 131 minutes, it overstays its welcome and doesn't manage to say much with all that time. The editing is sleek enough to feel modern but never devolves into spastic Bourne territory. The cinematography is the best part of the film, crafting a Southern California that really "pops." The flick nails the market of empty drama but is a far cry from a passable Oliver Stone picture.