Savages - a gory, one-dimensional murder fest

* out of *****

Running time: 109 minutes

MPAA rating: R - For strong brutal and grisly violence, some graphic sexuality, nudity, drug use and language throughout.

Oliver Stone has directed some graphically violent films, but there was always more to them than mere exploitation. His newest effort, the flimsy war-against-the-drug-cartel revenge thriller, Savages, is a sadistic, bloody mess. Lacking the insight and sympathetic characterizations of his previous visits to the darker side of human nature (Natural Born Killers, Platoon and Salvador) this picture reminded me of the last gasps of Sam Peckinpah's career, when the once-great director produced such drivel as The Killer Elite and The Osterman Weekend, both films so lacking in plot, dialogue and coherance that they were more cries for help than screen entertainments.

For over three decades Stone has been one of the most astute, articulate political filmmakers of his generation. His excellent dramas, such as Born on the Fourth of July and W, sardonic satires like Wall Street and big-screen biographies like Alexander, Nixon and The Doors established his talents as a writer/producer/director. But in Savages, which might have been intended an examination of the intricacies of Mexican/U.S. drug trafficking, all we're given is some good-looking Americanos (Aaron Johnson and Taylor Kitsch) out for revenge against the drug lord (Salma Hayek) who has kidnapped their mutual girlfriend (Blake Lively).

There's no apparent reason that this project so maddeningly jumped the tracks. It might satisfy those seeking violent thrills, but there's nothing here for the general audience. Let us hope that Stone can rebound from this disaster to bring us more worthy works of art and political theater.