Granted, as I sat down to watch the 2016 crime action thriller "Cartels" (aka "Killing Salazar"), I wasn't harboring a single expectation from writers Keoni Waxman and Richard Beattie. Why? Well, simply because Steven Seagal's movies haven't exactly been top notch for many years.
Yet, I opted to watch "Cartels", on the account of it being a movie that I hadn't already seen. And who knew, maybe, just maybe I would be surprised by what director Keoni Waxman delivered.
However, I must say that "Cartels" was a bland movie, a very, very bland and forgettable movie. The script and storyline here was generic to the point where you could essentially leave the movie for an extended period and come back only to not have missed out on anything. And while I did manage to endure "Cartels" to the end, then I wasn't particularly entertained.
Not only was the script and storyline flaccid, but the character gallery was equally so. I honestly didn't care one bit about any of the characters on the screen, as the all had the same, dull and lifeless personality and no backstory. In fact, I can't even remember the names of the characters, aside from Luke Goss's character, as Jensen is a Danish surname.
The action sequences in the movie were adequate, and it was those that actually kept the movie afloat and make is semi-watchable.
As for the acting performances in "Cartels", well... You know what you get with Steven Seagal, so no point venturing there. Luke Goss was in the movie, and was adequate enough. However, I had no idead who Georges St-Pierre is. It was clear, though, that the actors and actresses were struggling with the fact that the script was mundane, bland and devoid of anything thrilling.
I suppose "Cartels" is a movie that die-hard fans of Steven Seagal or Luke Goss might get a kick out of watching. For a casual viewer, such as myself, then "Cartels" was not a noteworthy movie. And while I did endure the movie to the end, I can honestly say that this is not a movie that I will return to watch a second time. Nor is it a movie that I would recommend for action fans.
My rating of "Cartels" lands on a generous three out of ten stars.
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