Escobar: Paradise Lost (2014) User Reviews (54)

Great movie, but it was a wasted chance for an 'unforgettable' movie

[athoura_dragon · 7/10 · 19 May 2015]

After watching a movie like 'Blow' (about George Jung) or Goodfellas (about Henry Hill) this movie seemed horribly irrelevant from Escobar's life. The movie, and plot, are both excellent but the main focus is not Escobar himself, and his story was not fully told but rather a story of this white dude who becomes friends with him and gets in trouble.

I think this would have made a great movie if it didn't have the title of "Escobar" because it really isn't a movie about him. Escobar (character) appeared in many other great movies but wasn't the main focus, and that worked. This title, however, is unfair because now this movie will be the main one about Escobar while it shows nothing of him.

Hats off to Benicio del Toro, another solid performance!

Brutal, Intense and Scene Gripping

[tomjoseph-lyons · 8/10 · 11 February 2015]

Pablo Escobar the most powerful drug lords in human history.

This movies gives you an insight to how he would have been viewed by his family, associates and of course the public of Columbia.

You'll find that life is cheap, trust is thin and power is everything.

It also leaves you with a questions..

Is the wealth, power and money worth the sacrifice of family, simplicity and freedom?

Would recommend you make your own opinion of this movie, personally I found it enthralling and couldn't look away..

If this review helped, please leave a like or what have you.

Cheers, Thomas Lyons

Pleasant (and thrilling) surprise

[radiogurl · 8/10 · 13 September 2014]

Pablo Escobar, like other notorious criminals before him, was revered and loved by the common man in Colombia. He built schools, clinics and churches in their communities. He took care of "problems". He was a (seemingly) loving husband, father, and in this movie, an uncle who could do no wrong by his niece, Maria. Imagine her boyfriend Nick's (Josh Hutcherson's) surprise then when he finds out that dear, sweet Uncle Pablo is in fact a ruthless and deadly cocaine kingpin.

There wasn't much I didn't like about this movie. First-time feature director and writer, Andrea Di Stefano, offers up a solid script, which he told the TIFF audience is part fact, part fiction. He lets Del Toro weave his magic as Pablo (was the guy born to play the role, or what?), but he also lets Hutcherson do his thing. Both give great performances without straying over-the-top, which they could very well have done with roles like these.

I think I was concerned that the movie would evolve quickly into a cheesefest and it never did. The action is good and the plot is highly plausible and well-paced.

This is NOT an Escobar biopic. It is a really well-told story in which Escobar plays a central role. I hope North American audiences will be able to get past the subtitles and give this film a shot - no pun intended.

Why a poor nation loves a fraud?

[murat-cetin · 7/10 · 9 December 2014]

First thing I have to say about the movie: Benicio Del Toro. Although I am not a big fan of him, this movie shines with his charisma. Great performance from the first scene to the last.

Although the movie is about the clash between a mafia leader and his niece's boyfriend, there are several subtexts that can be pulled out. One of them is the love around this drug dealer by the fellow People of his country. He starts a fight against the government and he gets as many supporters as the legal side; maybe even more.

Josh Hutcherson gives us hope for the future movies with his great talent despite his moderate outlook. Throughout the movie you can't stop looking at amazingly beautiful Maria (Claudia Traisac) and I can't say these two both are the perfect match.

A few words for the director,Andrea Di Stefano; this is a very impressive story-telling for a first movie. I believe we'll hear more about him very soon.

The Escobar Games

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 11 July 2015]

I guess a role like that in Hunger Games can make comparisons like that easy. Also if you spend most of the time with Josh instead of Benicio (playing Escobar) you might feel tempted to question what the movie is actually about. But there are hints at the beginning which become bigger towards the end.

I'm not sure, that's how Escobar actually was. But the man depicted is anything but a Saint, even if he might have done some nice things for his people. Obviously some things are heightened for movie purposes especially towards the end. The suspense is there, but the movie might be even better, if there was more of Escobar. His character being mesmerizing every time he is on screen. But maybe that was the reason. He came off too good and therefor might have confused people (again especially towards the end) ... Decent effort of a real crime thriller

it was exactly what i expected from this movie & i loved it.

[annalisagrabe · 7/10 · 12 April 2015]

This is the first movie Andrea di Stefano directed and i really think it is a realistic glimpse in the life and surroundings of Pablo Escobar. The setting and scenery is coherent and the whole cast are all wise choices. Especially Benicio del Toro as Pablo Escobar is such an excellent choice, his performance is exceptional. I like the timing in the movie and how it shifts from idyllic surfer paradise to a savage environment. The story is beautiful told and has a permanent tension. I did not expect too much from the movie and so for me it was a positive surprise. The only thing that kind of disturbed me a little is the fact that i think that when you move to Colombia in 1991 you might know who Pablo Escobar is, so that is one little bug for me, that Nick appears a little bit naive, because he does not know that Ecobar is such a BIG and powerful drug dealer. But besides that really a great movie*

Del Toro's big head is on the poster but your there to see Hutcherson.

[subxerogravity · 7/10 · 2 July 2015]

Josh Hutcherson plays a surfer living in Colombia, who falls in love with a girl whose uncle is a politician attracted to drug trafficking, played by Benicio del Toro.

It's a dark tale about getting caught up with the wrong crowd and not being able to get out. The moral of the story is there but I really got nothing out of it.

A period piece set in the 80s, the movie does feel a little chopped together. A lot of Background story seems to go by so fast that I barely notice it from all the one-liners used to tell it.

But the hunger games star showed he could front a movie. He was charming and capable of a lot of dramatic tension. Good for him that he does have a seasoned award winning actor like Del Toro supporting him in this movie, but for the most part the whole thing falls on Josh's performance and he came through for me by getting me all up in his situation.

Depending on weather you like or dislike Hutcherson, or like me, don't have any feeling for him at all either way, will sway your opinion on the movie. The story is weak and the film making is very centered on the leading man's ability to make you like him.

Great movie, sorry I didn't see it in the theater!! It didn't get enough promotion here!

[urthcreature · 9/10 · 16 February 2016]

Great psycho-thriller, draws you right in. Loved the understated style, movie manages to suggest what's going on without resorting to grisly torture scenes and other clichés. Most violence is shown after the fact, not too graphic. (Of course not suitable for children.) Great performances, beautifully filmed. If you love Apocalypse Now / Last King of Scotland type films where a mysterious megalomaniac is glimpsed or gradually revealed through the eyes of an outsider, you will probably especially like it (in this case it is just glimpses of Escobar, on one hand the family man, adored by his supporters, and on the other a completely detached and ruthless psychopath.) Of course Benicio del Toro is incredible in the role of Escobar and all the cast are excellent. Unfortunately it seems the title gave some viewers/critics the expectation that the movie should be a biopic of Escobar, and the fact del Toro was so good in the role just left people wanting more. But it is a really good movie nonetheless.

Good film but misleading title

[VforRevenge · 7/10 · 25 March 2015]

First of all this film is not really about Pablo Escobar, the story is told from the perspective of Nick (the boyfriend of Pablo's niece) and how he casually gets into Pablo's world.

That;s explains the misleading title but nevertheless i enjoyed this movie. Benicio Del Toro does a great job portraying Pablo Escobar. Josh Hutcherson isn't the best actor in the world but does a good job. After the first 15 minutes you get over hey that is the guy from The Hunger Games.

The story is not really that surprising: boy meets girl, is innocent and gradually gets sucked into a world that shocks him. About the fact that it is supposed to be a true story, the makes never say anything about that it is so it is just a story with a character that actually existed.

So is this a film you must see? No it isn't but i enjoyed it.

If you like a well-made film with above average acting and you can overlook some obvious storytelling tricks see it.

could have been better..but well worth the watch

[innovatingvisionary · 20 April 2015]

I agree with the reviewer. Josh Hutcherson has one expression. (scared and "blank" ) void of emotion. He does not make his role believable, and that is your sole responsibility as an actor. If someone else had played the role of Nick Brady, this movie would be a 7.5 - 8.

Benicio Bel Toro does his usual..Awesome, stellar performance and carries this film the entire way through, with ease. Claudia Traisac also does a wonderful job with her role. One very obvious screw up in this film, is when "nico" is driving to a cave in a truck "filled" with "stuff" covered in a tarp. All of a sudden, the next scene shows the truck is EMPTY and all the "stuff" is gone. 5 seconds later, the truck is once again filled with stuff. Somebody goofed on this scene. It happens, but there is no excuse for something so obvious.

is this movie worth your TIME? YES. Grab a cold one, Enjoy.

Even lower than my low expectations

[chbrunet · 4/10 · 18 September 2015]

Having just seen the brilliant Narcos series on Netflix, I didn't expect much of this movie. Therefore, I was surprised to be that disappointed.

First,there are the performances by both leads. Josh Hutcherson from Hunger Games fame is so bland. We always feel as though he is somehow surprise of what's happening around him. His girlfriend's uncle is the infamous baron drug Pablo Escobar, for crying out loud! She's honest enough to say that he made his fortune in the drug trade, and, that doesn't change any of his reaction.

And I wasn't more impress by Benecio Del Toro's performance, which I thought was just average, considering the nature of his character.

I had a hard time believing how anybody behaved in the movie, in particular the relationship between Escobar and Nick (Hutchinson's character). Nick is so suspicious and self- cautious, it feel impossible to believe that Escobar would welcome him in his entourage.

The major problem is the screenplay, which is by no means based on real story. I had a hard time figuring out if this was supposed to be some kind of a account of Escobar's life, a thriller, or just a cautionary tale. In any case, it failed on all counts, specifically on the cautionary tale dimension. Nick is never really fully integrated in Escobar's activities, and doesn't get any of the rewards. At best, he is the pool boy of the Escobar haciendas.

Spoiler: The last third of the movie, which many critics have said is full of tension and is considered the "thriller" part of the movie, doesn't even make any sense. Can you really believe that Escobar would ask this gringo to take charge of a sensitive mission, involving hiding part of his fortune and killing someone?

Your time would be better invested in the Netflix series mentioned above, or the documentary (available on you tube) The true story of Killing Pablo.

The Powerful Reach of Evil

[aharmas · 9/10 · 30 June 2015]

I went into this film knowing very little about who Escobar was, so I went through an experience similar to the main character in the film, as he realized that he had encountered one of the devil's true incarnations on Earth. Escobar, as portrayed in the film is a figure of mythical proportions, someone whose deeds are really difficult to believe because it seems almost impossible a human being is capable of committing such actions.

Del Toro, in a towering performance that is at least worthy of an Oscar nomination, makes Escobar come alive, though they are not very similar physically, but the behavior, the charm, very similar to a snake's, one that you can't ignore or walk away, though you know it's lethal. Escobar in the film grows from just a man who has immense amounts of money at his disposal to someone who commands much power through the darkest of means.

The story in the film doesn't dwell on Escobar in biographical terms. It deals with a Canadian young man who happens to fall in love with Maria, Escobar's niece, and little by little, realizes he might have just wandered into a nightmare that will have serious consequences for him and his closest relatives.

Nick is welcomed into a world that doesn't make any sense to him, a world populated by people who have amassed insane amounts of money and flaunt it ostentatiously to anyone who attends their social functions. It is obvious they are "new money" because many of the women walk around in outfits that are expensive and mostly having the color gold. They sometimes appear out of place when they are wearing an expensive gown in the middle of the day, or we see outrageous presents given to each other.

Eventually Nick discovers how deep the darkness is. He finds some of Escobar's associates washing blood off themselves. He begins to see that some of the looks he's given are a bit on the threatening or intimidating side. It is uncomfortable, and as the situation changes for Escobar, so do the plans he has for Nick.

The last third of film deals with the way Nick has to find a way back so safety and escape the worst of fates. This film has some of the most exciting pieces I have seen in 2015, and the tension mounts, as Del Toro's quick directives to dictate Nick's ultimate fate. There are some chilling scenes where we hear Escobar's interactions with his family, while he juggles a change of plans in order to ensure the demise of his enemies.

It's not an epic masterpiece, but a good film that shows a dark period in Colombia, the depiction of a monster at his worst, wonderfully played by Del Toro, who is able to show whatever exists in the soul of this complex criminal. If you didn't know anything about this piece of history, you will definitely be interested by the time the film's last frame ends.

Decent film

[mmmha · 7/10 · 27 February 2015]

I wasn't expecting much out of this film. But I do enjoy del Toro, as well as Hutcherson, so I thought I'd give it a shot. It was a little fast in some parts, but overall not a terrible film. For those saying it was based on true events, that's a big stretch. Nowhere does it say that it is based on true events. The movie is very loosely based around the final years of Pablo Escobar. Think of it like Titanic, true event, fictional characters. Neither Hutchersons or Traisacs characters actually existed. As for the ending, it's pretty obvious what happens, even if you don't see it happen on screen. I would have liked a little more explanation as to how characters ended up where they were through the film, but the movie doesn't lose anything because of it. In the end, it was an OK film with some wonderful acting. Worth a watch.

Blow

[Prismark10 · 3/10 · 25 November 2017]

You might think this is based on true facts. After all Pablo Escobar was one of the world's notorious drug lords in the 1980s. Yet Pablo Escobar is a side character in this.

Escobar: Paradise Lost is based on a fictional story of Canadian surfer Nick (Josh Hutcherson) living with his brother in the Colombian jungle who falls in love Maria Escobar. Her uncle is Pablo Escobar (Benicio Del Toro) who welcomes Nick to the family and they live in his vast estate. It soon becomes clear that Uncle Pablo is more than just a rich businessman but a gangster with hoodlums that kill for a living.

Thes story concerns Escobar's final few days before he give himself up to the Colombian authorities. He is tying up loose ends which means the body count is rising even of those who were loyal to him. Nick finds himself doing an errand for him, something that could turn out costly.

The film starts off promisingly but goes off the loony tunes scale. Nick and his brother are too wimpy to survive as surfer dudes in the jungle. Del Toro seems hampered by a series of fake beards. The script just gets worse because the makers realised they do not want to paint Pablo as a lovable rogue.

Decent movie.

[santiagocosme · 6/10 · 26 March 2015]

Entertaining!

Paradise Lost tells the story of a foreigner who goes to Colombia with his brother to open a surfing school and ends up falling in love with the niece of the infamous Pablo Escobar, the drug warlord. As you can imagine, his life spirals into chaos as soon as he starts getting serious with that girl. While he seems to be in good terms with the mafia clan at the beginning, as soon as Escobar's life gets complicated and justice tries to trap him, the lives of those around him follow the same disastrous path.

The tension of the movie comes from never knowing if the protagonist's love for his girl is going to be strong enough to put up with living with one of the most dangerous guys on earth at the time, or whether he is going to escape from the obviously choosing the wrong path. It's hard to tell if the movie is based on true events, (google can clarify that I'm sure) but either way, the film might easily have some resemblance with reality, since it is well known by everyone who Escobar was and how ruthless a man he came to be.

I would honestly not hesitate to watch it as a good Sunday afternoon movie. But bear in mind, it's also the type of film that you will easily forget.

Entertaining

[TdSmth5 · 7/10 · 6 December 2016]

A group of Canadian good kids try to open up a surfing shop in some secluded beach near a jungle in Colombia. One of the kids, Nick, meets a beautiful local girl, Maria. They start dating and become a couple. The small town nearby gets one day a local clinic installed courtesy of a senator and benefactor...none other than Pablo Escobar, who is...Maria's uncle. Nick doesn't make much of it, but his friends warn him. One day some thugs, claiming to own the beach, threaten the Canadians. Later, the thugs have their dog attack Nick and he ends up with his arm injured.

At a family party, Nick is finally introduced to Pablo, who takes an interest in his injury. Then the beach thugs end up hanging dead from a tree in the jungle. Nick marries the girl and lives on Pablo's ranch where he of course ends up seeing things he shouldn't. Pablo has occasional words with him, always somewhat nice but always sinister.

Pablo has a justice minister killed and the government intensifies the manhunt for him. As a result the entire family, Nick now among them, has to constantly move, along with all the money, weapons, guards, hit men. That of course puts a strain on everyone. Nick's friends, his brother among them, basically disavow him.

Eventually, Pablo decides to turn himself in to the authorities, but first he has to secure all his wealth. He loads up a bunch of SUVs with his money that will be driven to different location in the country. Only the most trusted people will drive. And he picks Nick to be one of those. The plan is for Nick to drive to some small town, meet up with a farmer who will direct him somewhere where Nick is to unload the crates, then he's to kill the farmer, drive to a restaurant and call him. Nick has never killed anyone so he isn't very thrilled with the mission but what choice does he have? When he reaches the town instead of a farmer, a teenage kid approaches him, a kid who is married and has a child. So come time for Nick to kill the kid he has even more doubts. He tries to reason with the kid who doesn't understand, he pulls out the gun, the kid runs, Nick catches up with him and offers to help him escape. But once they get to the kid's place, they realize Pablo's people got there before. And Pablo isn't about to leave any loose ties...

Escobar: Paradise Lost isn't a movie about Escobar. It's a thriller about what it would be like for a peaceful outsider to end up by accident in Escobar's world. It's not clear how much time transpires in the movie. We get some historical bits, Escobar's stint as a senator, the assassination of the justice minister, and Escobar turning himself in. Geographically things are also messy. The beach, the jungle, Pablo's lairs are all a bit too close to each other. A more complicated problem for a movie that isn't about Escobar is that they hired Del Toro to play Escobar. And as always his performance is a bit too compelling for a secondary character. That said, his performance here isn't all that convincing. He gets the accent for the region fairly right but not entirely. His speech is too calculated, too threatening I think, after all, Nick is family and with his blessing. Claudia Hernandez is irresistibly beautiful and could pass for a Colombian girl, although why they didn't just hire one is odd since there is no shortage of stunning Colombian actresses. She also doesn't capture the accent all that well, but her gorgeous smile makes it all good. Josh Hutcherson does a good job as the naive foreigner who will have to face the ultimate dilemma about what he will do once he's in a life-threatening situation. Occasionally he overdoes the cluelessness though.

Escobar: Paradise Lost is entertaining and the historical bits about Escobar give it depth and make for a more interesting movie.

Good Intro to Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria

[skepticskeptical · 7/10 · 6 June 2020]

Having already watched the crazily long (72 episodes) mini series on Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria (El Patron del mal), I am pleasantly surprised at how much ground was covered in this single feature-length film, and with such skill. In Paradise Lost, the character of Pablo, and his powerful effect on other people, is illustrated through examining up close the case of one young man (apparently fictional, but I am not sure) who got caught up in his web. How did Pablo seduce people to become devoted to him? What did he do when they were no longer useful to him, or might possibly pose a threat somehow (by revealing information, etc.)? Not difficult to guess, for anyone familiar with the workings of organized crime more generally.

My only quibble would be that the title is somewhat misleading. Although Pablo's character and seeming insanity are revealed, the bulk of the story focuses on another person altogether. I believe that this apparently fictional character is best understood as a composite of some of Escobar's actual victims. That the fellow is something of a doofus makes sense, to be honest, so I find no fault with the acting of the lead. Put another way, just ask yourself this question: Should I marry the niece of the leader of a huge cocaine cartel, who thinks of her as his daughter?

First hour isn't great but redeems itself in the 2nd part...Give it a chance!

[kabir_kassam35 · 7/10 · 14 November 2015]

After watching the first hour I couldn't help feeling that the film felt a little bit rushed- you didn't really get to know the characters or understand their relationships. You didn't feel any strong connections between them for example between Nick and his brother (It's not even made obvious that they are actually brothers until later than it should have been pointed out in the film. The script just felt weak and rushed and even the acting felt quite poor.

That is, until around halfway through the film when this all changes when the real "action" takes place. You can see why Josh Hutcherson was cast in this role (after his roles in the Hunger Games). Benicio Del Toro looked the part however I thought he'd portray the character as more menacing and dangerous, to the point where you could feel just how powerful the character was when he walked into the room (See Wagner Moura's version from Narcos) You do end up feeling part of this gripping action thriller eventually. The tense action scenes are brilliant and you are definitely rewarded for sticking it out and continuing to watch after the first part.

After seeing the trailer for this film, I couldn't wait to see it. The premise sounded great, a love story based around the worlds most notorious drug lord and the impact he had on the couple. Before watching the film, I'd seen IMDb's rating of it was a lot lower than what I expected it to be so I wasn't expecting to be blown away and I definitely wasn't in the first half. In the end I'm glad I stuck it out as I was pleasantly surprised by the 2nd hour. Not the greatest of films and a lot could have been done better but definitely worth a watch!

"Escobar: Paradise Lost" is not a biopic, but it is fresh and very entertaining.

[CleveMan66 · 9/10 · 27 June 2015]

Pablo Escobar (1949-1993) was a notorious drug trafficker and leader of Columbia's infamous Medellin drug cartel. He dealt exclusively in cocaine, starting in the mid-1970s. At the height of his power, his cartel controlled 80% of the world's cocaine, smuggling fifteen tons per day, and Escobar himself had an estimated net worth of $30 billion. He maintained his power and his freedom by either bribing or killing his enemies, including those in law enforcement and politics. He also enjoyed the loyalty and support of the mostly poor people in western Columbia who benefited from the many community service projects he funded.

In spite of his personal popularity and the strength of his criminal empire, the authorities were closing in when he made a deal with the government in 1991 to surrender himself in exchange for a light sentence in a luxurious prison. Escobar continued his criminal activities from "jail" and ended up escaping after just over a year behind bars. After a year and a half on the run, a U.S.-trained task force of Columbian police found Escobar, shooting and killing him as he tried to get away. Now, imagine marrying into Pablo Escobar's family when it seemed the world was his. That's the story in "Escobar: Paradise Lost" (R, 2:00).

Josh Hutcherson (Peeta in "The Hunger Games") stars as Nick Brady, a young man from Canada who follows his older brother to Columbia with dreams of living on the beach. While working as a surfing instructor, he meets a beautiful young woman named Maria (Claudia Traisac)… as in Maria Escobar. By the time Nick learns that Pablo Escobar (Benicio Del Toro) is Maria's uncle, Nick has fallen for her. She knows what her uncle does, but talks about it as if he's just an important businessman who exports their country's most popular product. She doesn't seem to understand the full extent of her uncle's power and brutality and Nick only gradually comes to his own understanding of who "El Patron" really is.

Nick marries Maria and is welcomed into the Escobar family with open arms. The couple even moves on to Uncle Pablo's estate. Nick's brother, Dylan (Brady Corbet) and his wife Anne (Ana Girardot), who have a new baby and another one on the way, become very worried for Nick – and for themselves. But Maria isn't like the rest of her family and she is all Nick really cares about. Eventually, even Nick and Maria see that they should be joining Dylan and Anne in leaving the country, but by then, audience members have to ask themselves if it's too late.

Most of the film's action takes place in the final couple of days before Escobar surrenders to authorities to begin his prison term. Before he goes away, he has a plan to safeguard his vast wealth and he asks for help from Nick, whom he appears to hold in very high regard. Pablo gives Nick a series of very specific instructions to carry out, which includes asking Nick to do things that he tells Escobar he's never done before. Escobar responds simply, "We all have to make sacrifices, Niko. You can do this." Without spoiling the ending, let me just say that Nick's errand doesn't go according to plan – anyone's plan.

"Escobar: Paradise Lost" feels so authentic, I was surprised to learn that it is NOT based on a true story. The film tells a tale that seems very plausible even in its smallest details, based on what we now know about Pablo Escobar and his criminal empire. Basing this film on a real person and real events, but focusing on a fictional main plot leaves writer-director Andrea Di Stefano free to be as creative as she likes with the story – and what a yarn she has spun! The film starts with intensity, allows for good characterization and for the development of the romance between Nick and Maria, then builds to a thrilling third act, while avoiding clichés found in many films of this kind. In short, the audience gets a little education and insight, a heartfelt romance and a harrowing fight for survival, all in a film that's fresh and entertaining from beginning to end. "A"

The Escobar storyline is great! 6/10

[leonblackwood · 6/10 · 4 October 2015]

Review: Why haven't they made a Pablo Escobar biopic? This movie only touches on a period of his life and I must admit, I did Google his life story afterwards because his life story is definitely intriguing. I don't think that anyone else could have played Escobar, except for Al Pacino in his Scarface days. Anyway, this film follows a young Canadian surfer, Nick (Josh Hutcherson) who moves to Colombia to be with his brother. Whilst living in the woods, he meets up with Pablo Escobar's niece, Maria (Claudia Traisac) and they fall in love with the blessings from her family. After getting engaged, he builds a relationship with Pablo but his brother is worried because of the dangerous world that surrounds him. Nick soon realises that he has entered a world of drugs, violence and corruption so he tries to leave with his brother to go back to Canada with Maria but Escobar has other plans for him. With the pressure of the politicians and the American government on his back, Pablo starts to clean house before handing himself into the authorities. He gives Nick a job to hide some of his assets with the help of a young villager but Pablo has become very paranoid and he doesn't want any loose ends. Nick ends up fighting for his life against Escobar's henchmen, which also puts his family and friends in danger. Personally, I wouldn't have chosen Josh Hutcherson for this role because of his innocent face and a lack of depth behind the eyes. Benicio Del Toro has plenty of depth behind his eyes and for a lot of the scenes, he only had to look at people to get his point across. Escobar is definitely a Robin Hood type of character who created a empire which is beyond my imagination. There's many stories about the notorious Medellin cocaine cartel but I think that film makers are to scared to bring it to the big screen, which is understandable. Anyway, it's definitely a film worth watching, if your interested in the Escobar empire but don't expect an in depth biopic. Interesting!

Round-Up: Puerto Rico born Benecio Del Toro, 48, hit the big time as the weird speaking Fenster in the Usual Suspects in 1995 but he had starred in quite a few movies before that, like James Bond: Licence to Kill, the Indian Runner, Fearless with Jeff Bridges, China Moon and the under-rated Swimming With Sharks. He then went on to star in the Fan, the Funeral with Christopher Walken, Excess Baggage, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which was a brilliant performance alongside Johnny Depp, Snatch and the Way of the Gun. He then won a Oscar for his supporting role in Traffic and he brought out 2 films in a 3 year period called the Pledge with Jack Nicholson and Hunted with Tommy Lee Jones. After that he got another supporting role Oscar nomination for 21 Grams and after another 2 year break, he starred in Sin City in 2005. He didn't return to the big screen until 2007, alongside Halle Berry in Things We Lost in the Fire and in 2008 he played Che in the 2 movie epic. After the disappointing Wolfman and Savages he starred in Thor 2 and the brilliant Guardians of the Galaxy so he's definitely one that picks his movies with a lot of thought. Personally, I think he is a unique actor who made this movie watchable and I can't wait to see him in Guardians of the Galaxy 2. This is the first movie directed by Andrea Di Stefano who has starred in movies like Life of Pi, Nine with Daniel Day Lewis and Eat, Pray Love. For his first project, I honestly think that he put together a decent movie which has definitely touched on a interesting subject and the whole story with Nick was intense and dramatic but not as intriguing as the Pablo character. I did feel thoroughly entertained after watching the film but the ending was a bit weak because you don't know what happened with any of the characters. 

Budget: N/A Worldwide Gross: £3.75million

I recommend this movie to people who are into their crime/drama/romance movies about a young Canadian surfer who falls for Pablo Escobar's niece and enters a world which puts his life in danger. 6/10

This is NOT a film about Pablo Escobar at all. I feel cheated. It's simply about some kids working for him and those kids can NOT act very well, AT ALL...

[imseeg · 5/10 · 22 April 2020]

This is firstmost NOT a film about Pablo Escobar at all. I feel cheated. It's 90% about some kids working for Pablo Escobar and those kids can NOT act very well, at all...that's my major gripe with this movie: no charisma from the leading (kid) characters.

Benicio Del Torro is ok for the few minutes we get to see him as Pablo Escobar, but I thought Javier Bardem's interpretation of Pablo was better in "Loving Pablo".

Conclusion: okay-ish movie, lacking punch because of mediocre kid actors in the leading roles.

6.5 ? Are you kidding me ?!

[AJ1983 · 9/10 · 8 June 2020]

Superb Movie from a person who is very picky about movies !! From start to finish , great acting by Del Toro , some intense scenes, never boring at any time, deserves an 8 , at least !!!

A passable fictional action thriller

[muons · 7/10 · 4 August 2018]

This is a thriller wrapped around Colombia's infamous drug baron Pablo Escobar. If you remember the fact that it's all fiction and suspend your logic for two hours it's an OK movie for its genre. As most of other reviewers put it Benicio Del Toro does a phenomenal job in his portrayal of El Patron although I don't know if it was a true characterization with all details of his personal traits. This is because at times, Del Toro seemed to give too much depth to a ruthless killer. However, the real problem is with Josh Hutcherson who looks like a miscast for his role especially in the second part of the movie involving suspense and action. Indeed, Josh's worried, sad puppy face reflects the true emotional state of a normal person who is involved with the drug kingpin whose track record is decorated with the murder of thousands. The same character, however, looks too wimpy to pull all the action, hence the ambiguity in the cast. With his indecisive, unconfident and overwrought appearance, Josh is not believable at all to play a person who'd get into a cat and mouse game with professional murderers which ends up with a gunfight. Indeed, despite the suspense, most of the subplots involving action scenes were glossed over and far from credibility. For example, it is not clear why the national security forces were so quick to collaborate with his henchman to search for Josh when they had been so busy with tracking down El Patron prior to his decision to give himself in. But for a person who wouldn't nitpick about such fine details, the movie is entertaining enough.

Well, I watched it to the end

[schneiderdick · 5/10 · 28 January 2015]

Not impressed with Josh. He seemed to have one expression throughout the entire film.

Benicio Del Toro carries the entire flick. Hell, half of it was in Spanish and it was superb to watch him. To stuff his bank account, he needs to be the villain in either a new Batman or Star Trek film. He makes every role believable.

Overall, the film is worth a watch, if only to get a feel for what life might be like in romanticized Central and South America. Like I said, I finished it -- unlike Markie Mark's "The Gambler," which dragged me thorough a half hour before I searched YouTube for a Hopalong Cassidy adventure.

Could Have Done With One Last Rewrite

[Theo Robertson · 6/10 · 7 April 2015]

A young Canadian called Nick goes on vacation in Colombia in 1991 and falls in love with a local girl called Maria . As the relationship deepens there might be a problem in that Maria's father is Pablo Escobar , the world's cocaine kingpin and very soon Escobar wants to involve Nick in his business

This came and went on the international market with little comment . It does have a very good premise at the heart of its story and the trailers give the impression of an action thriller involving a man stuck between a rock and a hard place . However there is something missing and a few faults that stops this movie from being a great one and merely ends up as a mildly engaging

I can understand one problem is hindsight . By this I mean if you've been following international news for many years you'd have heard of Pablo Escobar and instantly know who he is in 2015 , It probably wouldn't be the case in 1991 where the story begins and watching Nick become caught up in gangsterism , narco-terrorism and murder means he comes across as painfully naive in hindsight . No one would confess to shaking hands with Hitler and praise him as a nice guy and a great politician but this is exactly what countless people did with him prior to his invasion of Poland in September 1939 . The problem with history is that we tend to view it from the current present day stand point and forget what things were like at the time . Perhaps the film would have worked better if it was brought out a few years earlier ?

This is a shame when it concentrates on the internal dilemmas Nick finds himself in it is rather good especially he realises there's no way he's going to be allowed to leave Colombia alive if he decides to walk away from the family business and the film works best when it pursues this plot strand but spends too much unnecessary time on the Nick / Maria relationship . Unfortunately the film is never as compelling or as consistent as it could have been