La dictadura perfecta

Although the movie parodies many Mexican characters very well known by the society, same as actual facts that happened on live TV and that became trending topics in the social media, the movie per se is not about how dirty the politicians can be, but about how the government and the TV completely manipulate the information that we get on the TV, and the levels they can achieve in order to hide something that they don't want the audience to know, such as creating fake news or ruining lives. I saw this topic (manipulation of information) perfectly pictured in the 1997 movie Wag the Dog (Barry Levinson). One of the other huge disappointments of the movie is that they keep on using the music pieces The Thieving Magpie and the Ode to Joy that although classical, are iconic in movies because of their appearance in A Clockwork Orange (Kubrick). And since there was lack of creativity in the music department, you keep on hearing The Thieving Magpie all along the film. Intended to be comedy, there is no dramatic tension at all (that can be achieved in comedy as well), and it becomes really long and repetitive, and also, since of course it doesn't have Hollywood budget, the camera stands still almost all the movie, and this makes it even more tedious. Another huge problem that is present on the contemporary Mexican cinema is that the director is almost always the writer and this movie is no exception which I don't totally agree with. However, I am gonna try to make few good notes in here: The actors, that mimic Mexican politicians and TV Stars or news presenters, really easy to identify, are excellent. Have a comic note without over acting. The actual news notes that inspired the movie are quite accurate, and the reflection of the Mexican Political Society (as far as we can assume) is excellent, same as the situation of the country. And that's why I don't give it a zero.

This movie felt too real, and I say this from a country thirteen thousand miles away from Mexico.

Maybe because the main actor and director from La Ley de Herodes are attached,one would think this is a sequel to the 1999 movie that made history. Nothing of the sort, this watches more like a made for tv (and for profit) movie. Cinematography is as bad as any mexican soap opera, and it figures, most of the actors in this are Mexican tv stars, yep, the same mexican Televison industry that the movie tries to criticize.

While Herodes had some beautiful framed and shot scenes, and acting was very good, (maybe because most of the cast were cinema and theater actors) this one has the feel of a Televisa production, it seems clearly shot on video and the acting is really subpar.

The message is still the same we all know: Mexico's system is corrupt. If you want to learn why, then go watch La Ley de Herodes.

This movie is a good example of the problems that exist in Mexico today; the plot is good, the actors are excellent and there is a good use of satire; it is good to see that good cinema is being made in Mexico.

Fake News - more than just literally and also more than that. Now let's make sure President Trump doesn't see this - his position on Mexicans is bad enough as it is. Although when the movie begins there is a dialog that he may enjoy - for many wrong reasons. Especially because it includes Obama (by name). Current politics aside, if that is possible at a crazy time like that. The movie has been outdone by reality.

And while some things may have seemed outrageous back then, many have been said by "world leaders" (especially one) or seem to have been done. There is no proof there is an agreement between Fox News and the POTUS and they do have actual reporters, even if you can count them on one hand. The way they report may remind you on something you see in this movie. But even without that happening right now, the movie does wear thin and annoying at points where you just know where this is going.

Predictability isn't always something bad and the movie is more than decent, but the running time seems far too stretched. While I didn't have an issue with the depicted violence, I'm pretty sure the tone will feel mixed and convoluted for others. Funny but would have worked better if it was shorter