“Savages” (2012) directed by Oliver Stone, starring Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta, Benicio del Toro, Salma Hayek and Shea Whigham / Z-View

Savages (2012)

Director:  Oliver Stone

Screenplay:  Shane Salerno, Oliver Stone, Don Winslow; based on SAVAGES by Don Winslow

Stars:  Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta, Benicio del Toro, Salma Hayek and Shea Whigham.

Tagline: Young. Beautiful. Deadly..

The Plot…

Ben (a pacifist) and Chon (ex-military) are best friends who share a thriving marijuana business and a woman named Ophelia. The relationship works as well as their multi-million dollar pot business.

All is paradise until a brutal Mexican cartel (is that redundant?) decides to move in on their pot trade. When Ben and Chon refuse their offer, the cartel kidnaps Ophelia.

Nothing will stop Ben and Chon from getting her back.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ron Kovic, the subject of Oliver’s Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July, makes a cameo as a wheelchair-bound customer.

The novel by Don Winslow provides a solid foundation. The screenplay by Shane Salerno, Don Winslow and Olver Stone isn’t afraid to make changes to the great source material.

Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Blake Lively, Salma Hayek, Benicio Del Toro and John Travolta are excellent. Oliver Stone delivers.

Savages (2012) rates 4 of 5 stars.