Secuestro Express (2004) Reviews
- Starring:
- Mía Maestro, Rubén Blades, (more)
- Director(s):
- Jonathan Jakubowicz
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Category:
- Drama, Foreign, Independent Films
Member Rating
My RatingAverage Ratings
Member Reviews
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful This film is in the tradition of those South American movies that show the vast gap between the rich and the poor. As we learn, a group of street hoodlums engages in what is called, "kidnap expres" ... Read More This film is in the tradition of those South American movies that show the vast gap between the rich and the poor. As we learn, a group of street hoodlums engages in what is called, "kidnap expres" where they kidnap someone off the street and demand a relatively low amount of ransome that is to be paid in a few hours. The kidnappers happen to take a young woman who volunteers with the poor as a hostage. and there is an exchange during the film where each side slowly becomes more understanding toward the other. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful This is a pretty good movie, Jonathan Jakubowiczdis is a young Director and did an admirable job here ,the photography and the final edition are brilliant,the acting was excelent, and even the music ... Read More This is a pretty good movie, Jonathan Jakubowiczdis is a young Director and did an admirable job here ,the photography and the final edition are brilliant,the acting was excelent, and even the music was good (the ending theme from Ruben Blades... wow that was cool), but it was a little too realistic for me, and thats why I take 1 star out from it (yes
I know its sound crazy, but as I was a victim of one of those famous Secuestro Express this movie brought me back too many bad and ugly memories). What really bothers me about the movie is the concept of good and bad kidnappers and the Joint it, or learn to live with it message.
I recommend this movie if you enjoy the realistic/social cinema.
Apart of this film, Venezuelan's directors have much more to offer: UNA VIDA Y DOS MANDADOS DESNUDO CON NARANJAS, LOS PLATOS DEL DIABLO etc. so take the chance and look for more Venezuelans pictures you will not regret it Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful The line between honest & exploitative can be rather thin, particularly in movies about kidnappings in near-third-world countries (in this case Venezuela) that offer a lot of violence, sex & ... Read More The line between honest & exploitative can be rather thin, particularly in movies about kidnappings in near-third-world countries (in this case Venezuela) that offer a lot of violence, sex & bloodshed along with sights & sermons about the underclass/overclass. SECUESTRO EXPRESS consistently hops back and forth over that line, and while it gathers steam and a lot of immediacy/realism from its writing, direction & performances, it will probably have most middle-class-and-up audiences reaching for their revolvers, ready to blow away the trio of skanky hoods that menace the gorgeous kidnapped couple (one of whom is every bit as sleazy as his captors). Whether you want to put yourself through this--it's rough--depends on your tolerance for exploitation v. ersatz philosophizing, the former of which definitely wins the day. The director has a fairly accomplished touch & offers a number of surprises along the way, although I doubt that the Venezuelan Tourist Board was pleased with his film. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful This movie shows you the reality of the venezuelan sociaty. the movie is funny and very strong at the same time. sadly it has a lot of slangs that are imposible to translate. If you would be ... Read More This movie shows you the reality of the venezuelan sociaty. the movie is funny and very strong at the same time. sadly it has a lot of slangs that are imposible to translate. If you would be Venezuelan, you will enjoy this movie a lot more. Its a worthy effort for a small budget./ Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful This movie would have worked well, in my eyes, if it had either steered clear of the social commentary, or been much more subtle about it. In the end, it pretty much ruined a great movie. Unlike ... Read More This movie would have worked well, in my eyes, if it had either steered clear of the social commentary, or been much more subtle about it. In the end, it pretty much ruined a great movie. Unlike other reviewers, the main point I took away from this is that the upper classes in Venezuela are weak and allow themselves to be victimized. My girlfriend and I disagreed on whether the movie was promoting this in some sort of socialist exercise for making excuses for evil, or whether the message was ironic, and was encouraging people to fight back. Either way - it was annoying. Very realistic. A squandered opportunity. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
1 out of 5 people found this review helpful After numerous attempts to reboot and "go to Menu" I kept being totally distracted by the Directors narrative. I can only assume I either have a bad disk... or, Yikes, this was the real intention ... Read More After numerous attempts to reboot and "go to Menu" I kept being totally distracted by the Directors narrative. I can only assume I either have a bad disk... or, Yikes, this was the real intention of the movie. If that was the case, I think the director needs to check his ego as he enters his next deal. Close this Review WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL? Yes | No | ||
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