Pastorela

Fast-paced with engaging cinematography and a rich blend of subtle and not-so-subtle humor both in the clever and often base dialog and the sets and wardrobe. A believable and distinctly Mexican story line enhanced with film effects that add a mystical and mythic feel -- occasionally carried to ludicrous extremes -- for an entirely enjoyable light-hearted comedy that dips its toes in darkness as it illustrates the classic battle between good and evil.

Agent Jesus Juarez (Joaquín Cosio) is a protagonist that you want to love, but you're never quite sure if you're on the wrong side...he's funny and likable, but he just might be evil. The portrayal of some of the church figures, such as Padre Mundo (Carlos Cobos) and la monja (Ana Serradilla), might offend religious movie-goers, but it's all done in harmless fun.

It will be interesting to see if, when the film is subtitled in English, it holds up the the Spanish language original.

I remember when the Mexican movies were way more disrespectful, but above all more than stupid, when the Mexican actors did what Will Ferrell attempts, "being funny" without the charm for it. As example I remember the dumbest movies produced in México in the 70's and 80's, movies like "Los Verduleros", "La Pulqueria" "Las Ficheras" and on and on. So "Pastorela" with its original, premise, made laugh for the first third of the movie, suddenly everything went to hell.

Just think a crossover between "Dumb and dumber" and "The Other Guys", do you get the picture, no? let me explain, the movie goes from being funny and smart, to dull and stale,stupid and nonsensical, and I would said "Emilio Portes" should just write or should just direct, well actually neither, as once a writer myself, I decided to quit my best writings when I got "writer's block" better not deliver than delivering a piece of garbage!

Overall, this is a sane and decent movie if you compare it to aberrations like" The Dictator" (2012), but unfortunately enters the category of dumbness, yes, it lacks intelligence and good judgment.

If I despised movies like "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)" now I have "Pastorela" as its equal.

"Pastorela" was doing fine, without hypocrisy, and not pulling back the punches, to the day by day idiosyncrasy of certain societies and individuals, I mean, it made me laugh when the priest and the nun,and thankfully, the scene was made without the intention of being erotic, just to be funny, even the exorcisms seemed to be purposely to make us laugh and not to horrified like if it was "Deus Irae" (2010).

Listening to the grumpy Joaquin Cosio "Chucho" and the rest of the cast, became the relief I was looking after watching so many mysteries, crimes,dramas, thrillers, action and zombie movies; because Cosio is an unintended funny actor in all of the few movies I have seen him, and somehow reminded me a little of Paco Stanley (RIP) back then when "El Tenorio Comico", (even though they don't look alike), it is the same sneakiness to make you laugh, certainly not the same elegance, but a good laugh is a good laugh. I literally blame the writer-director for this half cooked turkey.

We used to say "El que mucho abarca poco aprieta" "The one who holds too much, grasp just a little" and I wonder if after the first third of the movie, the writer-director suddenly had a vision, a revelation or just smoke too much of what he shouldn't have.

I wish that I could recommend this one, anyway if you are curious about it, watch half of it, and then "change the channel"!