O Cobrador de Impostos

I really wanted to like this even more, but it just feels so uneven. There are many things that I do like about this (outside of the over the top performance by Shia that is). But there are also many things that while I understand, they just don't work as well as the movie thinks they do - like the help towards the end of the movie. It is set up in a way during the movie, but it still feels ... detached from it.

The movie is quite hellbent on displaying violence. The really gruesome things are mostly not shown up close. There is one scene though that ... well some would say is in your face - pun very much intended.

Not sure how much you can connect with the main character (not Shia, he's the sidekick of sorts). Depending on that, will determine how invested you'll be. Not a bad movie by a long shot, just not as mad and good as I expected it to be.

Weak plot, weak writing. Very messy. Great actors but let down by the poor story.

So the movie starts off interesting, with both characters equally important in their own ways, however, is suddenly turns into a hodgepodge of scenes. I don't really know if it was edited this way purposely or not, but many scenes seems like to time had passed by. It really distracted me from finding the movie interesting anymore and I ended up fast-forwarding until the end.

It's a David Ayer film which generally means it may have interesting ideas, but an uneven execution. It has a gritty, but well -produced look. And yes, it really doesn't deserve a 4.8 IMDB rating and overall critical disdain.

The stand - out performer is Shia LaBeouf, who succeeds in creating a surprisingly convincing and threatening presence as tax collection enforcer Creeper, who unfortunately for the movie's success is not the lead character. He plays second banana and loyal off - sider to his lifelong friend David (Bobby Soto), who despite being the ostensible lead, is simply not as arresting a character. Why LaBeouf was nominated for a Razzie for this role, I'll never know? He's the best thing The Tax Collector has going for it. Interestingly the film also boasts another good, but criminally (pardon the pun) under - utilised cameo from a near, unrecognisable Jimmy Smits as "Wizard" Cuevas, an imprisoned Mexican Mafia crime lord, who features in a largely unneeded late narrative twist.

The Tax Collector like many of Ayer's films is certainly not faultless. But I found the focus on LA gangs, especially those of Mexican origin, combined with an associated observation of urban Mexican culture, nevertheless quite compelling.

So much hate for this movie, for no reason. I had a good time. Shea was pretty damn good in this and I've never been a huge fan of his. If you enjoy David Ayers films, then ignore the hate and just give it a try.