Review of Get the Gringo (2012) by Henrik S — 20 May 2012

A very basic and run-of-the-mill prison drama. Unlike those set in the states or abroad, it does away with most of the shockploitaitojn (rape etc.) and instead tries to portray the doings and undoings of the in-prison 'Mafia' or crime cartel and how Mel Gibson fights and frowns his way from new shmug to top dog (or does he? No spoilers here).

Problem is, that the film pretty much delivers both on the action front but also when it comes to chlichees, no twist you don't see coming, no character that does not wear his character on his face all the time like a Dickens villain (good guys look nice, bad guys look bad, stupid guys look stupid etc.

you get the drift). Still, when the film pits the grim Gibson against the rest of the (prison)world, he can still carry the tension but the film just lacks other interesting characters and more twists in the storyline to keep you guessing.

Nothing to write home about and this won't resurrect Gibson's dead career but if you catch it on TV at some point, you might as well.