How I Spent My Summer Vacation aka Get The Gringo BD

[ravenus]

Saw this film on blu-ray last night, and I frankly think it's one of the most entertaining films I've seen in recent times. People on the internet called this film a spiritual successor to Payback, which is what intrigued me since I dug that movie and I have to agree with them.
Here Mel Gibson plays a shady character that gets picked up by corrupt Mexican police while escaping from American cops with a bag of cash. He's thrown into a large prison which functions like a slum community (apparently based on actual Mexican prisons, can't vouch for the veracity) with a hierarchy and a black market system. Gibson uses his smarts to survive and kick butt, in the process making friends with a Mexican kid that plays a pivotal part in the story.
The movie was shot on digital (Red One MX) with a reality TV kinda look (no nauseating shaky-cam, thankfully) and did not even get a proper theatrical release (I guess thanks to Mel Gibson's offscreen antics), but it has what a lot of bigger budgeted faux gravitas laden mainstream Hollywood films lack - FUN! The script is lean and pacy, the action is exciting and there is a constant stream of humor (Towards the end Mel does a hilarious imitation of a certain movie legend). As the lead Gibson is firing on all cylinders here, exuding tremendous STAR quality. While initially it was disconcerting to see him in a movie with this look and setting, he quickly rivets your attention with his charisma and the film flows smoothly. I also appreciated that his character develops a relationship with an appropriate age woman who looks very convincing in her role.

The UK blu-ray from Lionsgate is quite pleasing, and I assume any limitations are with the original digital capture. Sound is awesome too, especially during the action scenes and there is a terrific non-conventional guitar-heavy score.
Extras include a short but nice making of, and on-set footage from the major action-setpieces of the film.