Actualités

Crass, cheap and commercially blotto, "Tequila Body Shots" is notable for resurrecting and trying to exploit almost every unflattering cliche of Mexico -- from gastronomical eruptions to corrupt police -- while its lily-white protagonists encounter magical healers, seductive wenches and vengeful, macho ghosts.

The feature debut of commercial director Tony Shyu -- who also wrote the screenplay -- "Tequila" has a timely aspect in that one of the leads is an insufferably geeky "Star Wars" fan who at one point says to his object of desire, "You have so much more Force". Nonetheless, only a trickle of ticket-buyers will imbibe this watered-down margarita of a comedy.

Three brainless caballeros, Johnny (Joey Lawrence), Paul (Nathan Anderson) and Al (Josh Marchette) are booze- and babe-hungry dudes with little experience in women or strong drink. Hanging out at a bar, they try to dodge bespectacled Ted Robert Patrick Benedict), one of those forever optimistic losers who makes the cooler character nervous because he boldly if unsuccessfully pursues the ladies.

They meet Tamlyn (Dru Mouser), Angela (Jennifer Lyons) and Linda (Senta Moses), who are planning to attend the same Halloween party in Mexico our heroes are headed for. In the film's weak horror-movie subplot, Tamlyn has weird visions and an old boyfriend with a short temper, both of which figure later in the story.

Out for a stroll in Mexico, two of the three guys are suffering from eating fish tacos when they meet Doc (Henry Darrow), who prescribes specially concocted tequila drinks. Unafflicted Johnny is given another kind of brew that will help him in his love life. As a result he can hear the thoughts of people around him, and becomes aware that something evil is after Tamlyn.

Stephanie Arellano lends a little, much-needed sexiness as a friendly waitress who turns out to be involved somehow with the "return of Hector," a legendary hothead (Rene L. Moreno) who killed his wife and rises from the grave every Day of the Dead to repeat his crime of passion.

Among the principals, Mouser makes the strongest impression -- but that's not saying much for a film that haphazardly builds to its dubious payoff, a tequila-dribbling-from-their-lips kiss between her character and Lawrence's.

TEQUILA BODY SHOTS

Heartland Releasing

Himalaya Entertainment

Writer-director: Tony Shyu

Producers: Tony Shyu, Jong Shyu

Director of photography: Lawrence Schweich

Production designer: Peter Kanter

Editor: Pam Raymer

Costume designer: Elaine Montalvo

Music: Shayne Fair, Larry Herbstritt

Color/stereo

Cast:

Johnny: Joey Lawrence

Tamlyn: Dru Mouser

Paul: Nathan Anderson

Ted: Robert Patrick Benedict

Al: Josh Marchette

Angela: Jennifer Lyons

Linda: Senta Moses

Running time -- 97 minutes

MPAA rating: R...