Customer Reviews

Puerto Vallarta Squeeze

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Usually these unknown direct to video flicks don't have much going for them other than formulaic plot and maybe a few stars. Both those elements are apparent in "Puerto Vallarte Squeeze" (cast includes Scott Glenn, Harvey Keitel, Miguel Sandoval, Craig Wasson and Giovanna Zacarías) but this movie has good action, believable acting and an outstanding script that only one time goes off into predictably silly behavior.

The movie itself is a pretty typical action-suspenser. Glenn goes down to Mexico and kills a couple guys for revenge, then makes a deal with Wasson and girlfriend Zacarias to help him escape. The trio are pursued by cops including American Keitel -- who is very poorly directed and whose role is overly mechanical and macho -- and a Mexcican crew led by Sadoval. A chase ensues, along with some other predictable and unpredictable action, before our film comes to a familiar and somewhat foretold conclusion.

I didn't have high hopes for this movie and it exceeded my expectations in everything but the cardboard characterization Keitel got stuck with. Scott Glenn gives a typical low-key performance and is countered by Wasson, who gives a heart of sleeve performance when stressed. The girlfriend seems to moderate the two extremes and is a nice makeweight for their combat.

I'd recommend this movie to anyone that likes any of the actors, action, suspense, or simple film enjoyment. This movie is about as unpretentious as they come and is has a very intelligent script that keeps you involved all the way. I wish Keitel's character had been written better but the movie overcomes that brief problem, aided in large part by sweeping Mexican (probably Californian) vistas in many scenes.

Note: this movie is also known as "Puerto Vallarte".

Very intense action with a good storyline. I tried to anticipate Clayton's (Scott Glenn) next move - but his demeanor was too compelling and demanded obedience. The few times he let his guard down was worth the wait. I always enjoy movies featuring Harvey Keitel, and I was not disappointed. The direction was well paced with a balance of action, drama, and a bit of romance. This is a five star movie!!

Puerto Vallarta Squeeze is a classic action adventure movie a la Romancing the Stone -- the kind you turn on late on Sunday afternoon and watch unfold before you.
At first, in staying true to the genre, you think the movie is doing the thinking for you -- but soon a twist unfolds and you find yourself entwined in a real story line with a real script --something rare in the action/adventure genre.
Great movie. Kudos to the director and writer for making a sub-par book into a classic Sunday flick.

This is a great movie for people who like action fleaks with a good plot. Scott Glenn is great in this movie as a CIA hitman who kills someone who is not marked for a hit. Harvey Keitel has a great role as his boss searching for him in the back roads of Mexico. The movie has plenty of action and great scenes of Mexico. I recommend this film to all Scott Glenn and Harvey keitel fans--you will not be disappointed!!!!!! I first rented this flick and now I want to buy it!!!!

This movie was truly a roller coaster ride! A story of vengence, deceit, betrayal and finally redemption - WOW! The cast really complemented each other - no slackers. The vistas of Mexico gave the storyline a heightened reality. Needless to say that I have recommended this movie to my friends.

Puerto Vallarta Squeeze, is a dark, conspiracy-laden movie, telling
a story that seems somewhat over-worked (considering the author felt
the need to have one of the protagonists profession be that of a
famed book writer).

It will also probably be of interest mostly to military veterans,
who can relate to the post-traumatic stress syndrome that
characterizes literally 100's of thousands of former personnel in
the well documented conflicts of Vietnam, and some of former covert
operatives of the CIA, as played by Scott Glenn, in this picture.

Apart from the interesting filmed aspects of small-towns across
Northern Mexico, this picture also emphasizes its rural aspects and
abandoned villages, that obviously, are worlds apart from the major
Mexican cities or even, those of the USA, across the border. The
movie's action isn't entirely isolated, as the tourism hot spots are
also partly filmed, so the audience is able to see that the story
takes place in this day and age.

As said, apart from the psychological aspects that some may
appreciate, (the role being that of a burnt out, aging Vietnam vet,
turned CIA operative), the film also intertwines occasionally some
human aspects as well, such as the poverty of a segment of the
Mexican population, and the peasant beauty of the actress, played
intelligently, and charismatically by Giovanna Zacarias.

Surely, some may question the realism or even, the necessity of once
more bringing in the sterotype of Mexican women as maids, who are
easy to buy favors from, and of Mexican men as police officers, law
enforcement, some of which are "clearly" corrupt.

Harvey Keitel is brought in, to add some spice from time to time, in
the movie, and rescue it from a made-for-TV only stigma, that
otherwise might discourage DVD rental customers, or buyers. Kietel
only mostestly appears in the movie, and isn't given a chance to do
much with his role, or play out anything remotely close to the
powerful impact some of his previous movies allowed him to do.

The audio, music is acceptable, if not a bit repetitive, and the
classic score too identical to what we've heard 100's of times
before. This is mitigated with the flamenco guitar that is also
interspersed in the soundtrack, to emphasize the Mexican-ness of
this movie.

Overall, not a bad experience, but not something that people will
want to see a second time.

An American writer and his Mexican girlfriend witness an assassination in Puerto Vallarta. Soon they and the assassin are on the run to the US border, pursued by the CIA and Mexican police. I won't say much more about the plot, because the suspense depends on watching it unwind.

Scott Glenn is impressive as the assassin with a mysterious past and uncertain intentions, stony-faced and tough but also charming when needed. Harvey Keitel is more relaxed than usual as the cynical CIA man in charge of recovering Glenn. Four of the the five key roles are very well cast and played, and the fifth could be regarded as appropriately wooden. The characters drew me in and held my attention.

The plot is strong and well thought out, save for a few weak points that aren't too hard to look past. So-so ending could have used a little more work. The suspense and action are handled better than the romance, which is uneven in its portrayal but still compelling enough. There is a significant amount of psychological interaction between the main characters, who develop in a satisfying way. The feel of the film is less slick than typical Hollywood products but still fairly smooth, with a little independent film aura, for better and worse. The action is budget but fine.

Enough interesting things going on in this to make it worth seeing more than once.

I enjoyed this movie.
You actually feel connected to the hitman and start to side with him. I found that most of the people that he killed deserved it. The cast was good and so was the plot. It does drag a little here and there but it also has some good action and the violence is not too over the top. There are some views of Mexico that you don't normally see in the movies. Scott Glen and Harvey Keitel were great in this move and if you are a Jonathan Brandis fan you will enjoy his unusual part as a CIA hitman sent to kill the other hitman even though he only has a few small parts in the movie he very good in it.

Enjoy

I didn't expect much of this little movie. I just wanted to see it because it was one of the last films Jonathan Brandis would ever make. For such a small part, he is remarkable and regrettably there's not enough of him here. It's a surprisingly good film. Scott Glenn and Harvey Keitel are great as they always are. Craig Wasson was nice to see since I hadn't seen anything since his over the top performance in Body Double. The film is well written and well acted. Though it did have some shocking moments. Scott Glenn at his age is well preserved and I nearly fell onto the floor during the scene where he's wearing a string bikini. It was nice to see Jonathan Brandis as a wet behind the ears CIA hitman-in-training and a future replacement for the Scott Glenn's seemingly doomed Price. He looked very tired in this movie or was it just me? There's some shocking and notable scenes, this movie is not for the prudish at heart. Though there is a sex scene and visible nudity, the scene is tastefully done and conveys a sense of tender regard between the two characters of Luz and Price. There is notable violence and I came away from this movie with the sense that if you're ever stupid enough to go to Mexico, you should hire a bodyguard, preferrably one who can kill with his hands. All in all this was better than some of the swill that gets the studio treatment. So I highly recommend this if you're a fan of lush Mexican locales and actors who act for the pure joy of acting and not a paycheck. My summary: CIA hitman (Glenn) with emotional scars kills unintended target, gets trapped, needs help getting across the border and hires a down on his luck American writer and his beautiful but gutsy Mexican girlfriend with scars of her own. CIA handler on his trail with CIA hitman in training and heir apparent to Glenn's Price. Price, writer, girlfriend get into some nasty scrapes (terrifying scene involving local police), body count escalates, disagreements and suspicion about Price ensue, cameo by Vicki Carr, girlfriend and Price get close, (too close). CIA handler and trainee close in with one of the most tense and surprising endings I've seen in a while. Two thumbs way up.

I loved this film! I loved the music, I loved the action, and I LOVED the actors. Also,it was not your typical love story, and that is what was interesting. A great film to sit back, have a margarita and to enjoy the ride!!