Two friends take on a frightening cartel of Mexican drug traffickers to protect the ones they love.

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Chon, a hothead just back from the war in Afghanistan, Ben, his laid-back buddy, and Ophelia, a stunning blonde who can't decide on either of them, are a threesome living a life of sea, sex, sun, dope and fun! From their villa with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, the two friends supply California with high quality marijuana, thanks to their talent for botany, logistics and commercial management. But then representatives of a Mexican drug cartel – used to decapitating those who defy them – show up and offer them a joint (ahem!) venture. After politely refusing, Chon and Ben soon realize they are stuck with a gang of psychopaths who are prepared to do anything to get their hands on the mellow fellows' lucrative business...

Although not on the level of his masterpiece JFK or his great movies from the 80's and 90's (Platoon, Natural Born Killers, Salvador), Oliver Stone's new Savages is a good thriller that condones the use of light drugs while being aware of the consequences of trafficking. As always, Stone's secondary roles go to unhinged bad guys that are in themselves worth the ticket price: John Travolta is irresistible and Benicio Del Toro* is brilliant in what may just be the best performance of his career.