El Gringo

It's hard to believe that major Hollywood producer Joel Silver got involved with this movie, since it was destined to go straight to DVD. Actually, I didn't think that this movie was terrible. Certainly, I can see why some people might not like it. The direction and the editing is often very flamboyant, when a less-is-more attitude in these departments would probably have worked better. Also, the movie is VERY bloody and violent, which will probably repulse some prudish viewers. But I have to admit that I wasn't bored while watching the movie. There are a few action sequences that really deliver the goods, for one thing. And the crazy direction and editing, though sometimes annoying and pretentious, did make me curious as to what strangeness would come next. I would say that if you have a taste for direct to DVD movies, and are in the mood for something in a much different style than usual, then you'll probably find this movie an acceptable time waster.

Personally i am not a fan of these type of movies usually, the "desperado" style. But as a Scott Adkins movie, i had to see it. It was released under Bullet here in quebec, don't know why, as its so generic of a title... Anyway took me a couple weeks after the DVD release to finally watch it, the reviews had me nervous, but I'm glad i decided to watch it anyway.

Scott Adkins can't be Boyka in every movie, and as much as i love that character, it would be bad for him to just play it again and again. Here he is a more ordinary police officer on the run and pretty much fight like your usual big guy hitting hard. A lot of gun fights also but there is enough hand to hand to keep the fans of it satisfy.

The movie has a couple jokes and funny lines, i really laugh hard at one scene in particular, and the "cheap filming" style didn't bothered me too much, even tough its made like that for artistic purpose.

It will not be remembered as Scott Adkins best movie for sure, but its a decent enough action movie in the no brainer category. It serve its purpose well.

One thing i find funny tough, Christian Slater is on the cover like he is some major character but he is not... not at all, really its kind of funny to see they almost blocked Adkins to show him because at one point he had Star Power... but nowadays he just play in low budget movies and get crappy roles, more or less always a wimp...

I won't write a long review, going into detail, because this film isnt put there to judge in that way. It's cheap, corny, greatness!! Adkins acting in this is one of his best performances and some of the action is bang on!! It isn't your usual Scott Adkins taekwondo fest but to be honest it's all the better for it. Turn on, tune in cop out.

The most interesting thing about EL GRINGO is that it was shot in Sofia, Bulgaria which successfully stands in for Mexico. I would have thought the two countries couldn't be further apart but they do a pretty convincing job here. A shame, then, that the film itself is so pedestrian, with a lack of story really slowing things down. Some shaky, bleached-out cinematography doesn't help much either. Scott Adkins plays the usual drifter type who arrives in a corrupt town and soon finds himself battling a criminal gang. There's a fair bit of action, some of which is quite good, but it never really burns up the screen as a good action movie should. If you want to see a great Adkins movie from this era, check out UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: DAY OF RECKONING.

If you like action this movie will not disappoint the story is nothing that hasn't been done before but it is put together quiet well, and the acting is as good as it gets for a low budget movie... of course its not a masterpiece but i feel it deserves a chance. Reading some of the reviews i felt that they forgot to mention that this was a movie meant to entertain people and it does just that, i was very entertained by the end of it and not only was i entertained but i found myself with a silly smile on my face from laughing hard most times and then end up getting angry the next scene, this movie is like a roller coaster never a dull moment. I highly recommend it simply for its high entertainment value, don't go in expecting Quentin Tarantino.. but were you to sit down and watch a movie simply because you enjoy watching a movie than this will not disappoint i assure you.