Camino

Zoë Bell's skill as a stunt performer is indisputable, and she has demonstrated fine capability as an actor, too. I'm not expressly familiar with filmmaker Josh C. Waller or writer Daniel Noah, but in the very least both have some significant credits to their names as producers, and while it wasn't perfect I very much enjoyed Waller's previous feature 'Raze,' also starring Bell. The premise sounds very promising; in addition to some fine cinematography from Noah Greenberg, the instances of still photography that we see at select points are a sight for sore eyes, too. As the narrative picks up Kreng's original score, harsh and discordant, lends considerable ambience to the proceedings, and the sound design and fundamental image are both crisp and vivid. The stunts, effects, fight choreography, and action sequences at large are outstanding; the cast give admirable performances. From costume design, hair, and makeup, to filming locations and sets, all the basics of the picture are splendid, and 'Camino' can boast high production values among the best of contemporary fare. If you want an action thriller, you've got it, and overall it's solid, including firm direction.

"Solid," however, does not necessarily mean flawless, and with all due respect to Noah, the screenplay is without question the Achilles heel of this movie. The major shifts in the story - that beat around the half-hour mark that distinctly kicks off the action, and the later beat around the one-hour mark wherein supporting characters gain a clear picture of the situation - are weak and unconvincing, plot points written in outline form without the supporting narrative structure at any time to help them feel sensible. Characters are very poorly written and make choices that are utterly flummoxing, including even protagonist Avery; too much of the dialogue is outright rubbish, to say nothing of discrete, baffling decisions as to how Spanish and English are used. Even action sequences are flimsily inserted, providing a shower of sparks at irregular intervals with their violence but not being meaningfully and cohesively written into the course of events. The overall story is ultimately so light that it kind of feels unfinished, as if we're not really getting a complete saga. For example, there are mild suggestions at times of a psychological element, and 'Camino' could have been the corruption of a photojournalist who by necessity of survival becomes a killer; there are sideways intimations of something supernatural at work, or at least unnatural or mystical, and this angle could have been latched onto more concretely. There are also themes on hand that could have been explored more, including not least the perception of a moral grey area. Yet from beginning to end, in the plot ideas that we do get and in the scene writing, in the antagonist's "motivations" and in the specific experiences of our protagonist along the way, the writing instead comes off as an ill-considered, dubious jumble of half-baked, ill-fitting notions. There are good ideas here, certainly, but the form that they take individually and in combination simply do not make for a cogent, compelling viewing experience.

There really is a great deal to appreciate here, with terrific craftsmanship across the board, sharp action, and story ideas that could and should have been molded into something dark and gripping. Sadly, the film really just flounders when it comes to the particular shape that the screenplay takes: an excess of exposition, a chintzy ending, a massive info dump in the last stretch to explain all, and all-around choices that are irritating, tiresome, and/or perplexing. I see what 'Camino' could have been, and I don't for one moment doubt the earnestness of anyone's contributions. I don't doubt anyone's capabilities, either - save for Noah, unfortunately, whose writing in this instance leaves much to be desired. I'm glad for those who get more out of this than I do, and enjoy it more; I see strengths that are overshadowed by faults, and those faults rest entirely on the shoulders of one person. I feel bad being so critical, but we do no one any favors by giving false praise. I don't altogether dislike this flick, but it's no more than half of what it might have been. Watch if you like - it's best suggested for those who are major fans of Bell or someone else involved - but I think this needed a significant overhaul to meet its full potential.

This is a film about a photojournalist who gets in over her head.

Zoe Bell does a great job with the role, and the supporting cast is excellent.

It is exciting, fun, and tense. The scenery is beautiful.

It is sweet to see a female action figure who actually looks like she could do it. Bell is a stunt double, who looks like she could take down a lot of men. She is athletic and quick.

She also happens to be a good actress.

Want a fun evening with a movie that won't make you think or leave you feeling bad? This one is a good bet. My wife and I both enjoyed it, and we are not enamored with just any old movie.

Awhile ago and I must say I really enjoyed it. It's in my top 5 Zoe bell movies. I don't know why it gets so much hate. It's a gem. and she's good in it. Guess just not everyone's cup of tea

"The spiral is death."

I had no idea who Zoë Bell really was. Afterwards she appears to be a famous stunt woman who has repeatedly demonstrated her skills in Quentin Tarantino movies. It's not the first time she acted in a movie. You can admire her in "Oblivion" and also in "The hateful Eight". This time, however, she got the main part. Unfortunately her character is too one-dimensional to judge her on her acting talent. Substantively it's of the same level as a role played by Gina Carano. After seeing some impressive fight scenes I knew she's one hell of a stunt woman. Sadly enough these scenes were sometimes unrealistic, when you take her character into account.

Avery (Zoe Bell) is a well-respected war photographer who, after receiving an award, is promptly planted on an aircraft by her editor. The destination is Columbia where she can make a photo shoot of a paramilitary group, led by the charismatic revolutionary Guillermo (Nacho Vigalondo). They act like local pharmacists in the Colombian jungles. In reality, Guillermo is nothing more than a crazy psychopath who's using this sacred mission as a cover up for his own criminal activities. When Avery makes some compromising photographs of a murderous Guillermo, he succeeds in convincing his crew that the foreign photographer is the culprit. And that's the beginning of a hunt through the jungle with Avery as a prey.

Until the first encounter with one of Guillermo's freedom fighters, this film seemed promising. After the obligatory introduction, you will see beautiful images of the vast jungle. A wonderful mix of images of a subtropical jungle and stylistic black and white photographs. Even the sometimes exaggerated speeches of Guillermo were acceptable up to a certain level. But when Avery becomes a Rambo-like guerrilla fighter, who can defend herself excellent on unknown territory, the film lost a lot of credibility. I am sure Zoë Bell can stand her ground as a stunt woman. But when the person Avery, who's a grim war photographer, turns into a talented person who excels in close combat, knows how to use an automatic rifle and uses tactical combat strategies, that's a bridge too far. In reality, she wouldn't even survive her first clash with the lunatic Alejo (Tenoch Huerta).

I was hoping this would be a brooding, exciting thriller. But in the end I only got to see a typical survival film. It made me think of "Predator" sometimes, but now without an alien. Guillermo's followers are being released one by one to hunt their victim. It's just waiting for the ultimate clash (with a ridiculous outcome) to present itself. The only downside about this taking place in the jungle, is the fact that it's mostly dark. This makes it sometimes really difficult to follow the action. The performances are proportionate to the level of the film itself. But I need to say there's one thing that really got my attention. The soundtrack. The musical accompaniment is usually not something I pay attention to, but this time I was surprised by the ominous music full of unusual sounds. Ominous during critical moments and mysterious in between. For me, the creator of this soundtrack is the true star of this movie.

More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT

Loved this movie. Lately I struggle finding movies with depth, character, quality and not just violence, drugs and porn. This movie reminded me how important journalism is to the oppressed and broken. They go to wars with cameras not guns showing truth not opinion removing self, chancing death, seeing so much pain and carnage! Watch this movie it is up there with the best I've seen in awhile!!