"Scorpion Spring" is worth watching for an eclectic bunch of familiar faces, and some good bits, comic and dramatic. As written and directed by Brian Cox (not to be confused with the actor of the same name), it's basically a routine B road movie / criminal on the lam story. Patrick McGaw is Zac, travelling from NYC to LA who runs into trouble in the Southwest, starting with getting his wallet stolen. Fate soon throws him together with super smarmy French actor Denis Brabant (the always fantastic Alfred Molina, who walks away with the movie), and soon after that, lowlife bad guy Astor (Esai Morales), who has a woman, Nadia (Angel Aviles), in tow. It doesn't take too long for Zac to realize that Astor is bad news, but he's too concerned with Nadia's well being to want to take a powder. Meanwhile, there are other story threads involving characters being tracked down by a border patrol officer (Ruben Blades), a sheriff (Kevin Tighe), and a somewhat dubious lawman (Miguel Sandoval). This is the kind of thing where the twisty plot would require the viewer to pay attention, not that it would probably make much sense if people took the time to scrutinize the script. In any event, this is a very slick looking and well photographed film, that does, as mentioned previously, generate some laughs. McGaw and Molina make for an awfully unlikely comedy duo, but the flamboyant Molina and straight man McGaw do have chemistry. A word of warning to the unaware, though, that if they are watching this for Matthew McConaughey, he only appears towards the end (he *does* make the most of his brief screen time, though). Also popping up in enjoyable bits are John Doe of the group X as Tighes' deputy, the always amusing Richard Edson as a gregarious service station owner, Tony Genaro as McConaugheys' thuggish associate, and musician / actor Tito Larriva as a bartender. This moves along, and kills time, well enough, but nothing about is too remarkable. Five out of 10.
7 Reviews
Road Movie Garbage
ricardovs2730 December 2006
A very cheesy and dull road movie, with the intention to be hip and modern, shown in the editing style and some weird camera angles, resulting only in sleepiness.
The cast is wasted, the writing is stupid and pretentious. The only thing worthwhile is the top-notch Lalo Schifrin's soundtrack, really cool and also the opening sequence, very original and interesting.
Run if you can, the bad opinions and comments about this flick are totally deserved; it is really pure garbage. Of course that this has its charm, of watching a movie which everybody would not drop the beer glass on if it were on fire, but save it for a stormy day where you have absolutely nothing else to do.
The cast is wasted, the writing is stupid and pretentious. The only thing worthwhile is the top-notch Lalo Schifrin's soundtrack, really cool and also the opening sequence, very original and interesting.
Run if you can, the bad opinions and comments about this flick are totally deserved; it is really pure garbage. Of course that this has its charm, of watching a movie which everybody would not drop the beer glass on if it were on fire, but save it for a stormy day where you have absolutely nothing else to do.
A knowledge of Spanish would be useful
FlorenceLawrence3 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
There are some nice shots in this film, it catches some of the landscapes with such a beautiful light, in fact the cinematography is probably it's best asset.
But it's basically more of a made for TV movie, and although it has a lot of twists and turns in the plot, which keeps it quite interesting viewing, there are no subtitles and key plot developments are unveiled in Spanish, so non Spanish speakers will be left a little lost.
I had it as a Xmas gift, as it's a family trait to work through the films of a actor we find talented, and Matthew Mconaughey was just awesome in "A Time to kill" , and the "The Newton Boys " so I expressed I wanted to see more of his work.
However although it says on the DVD box it is a Matthew Mconaughey film and uses this as a marketing ploy, he has a few lines and is on screen for not very minutes at the end of the film, he is basically an extra and he doesn't exactly light up the screen while he is on, so die hard fans, really not worth it from that point of view.
The films star though, Patrick McGaw is great though and very easy on the eye, and his character is just so nice and kind and caring, a true saint of a guy, he'd be well written into a ROM com.
So for true Mcconaughey acting brilliance of the ones I've seen, I'd recommend, "A Time to kill" , "The Newton Boys " "Frailty", "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days", "Edtv" and "Amistad" and avoid too "Larger Than Life" and "Angels in the Outfield" unless you feel like a kids film or have kids around as neither of these are indicative of his talent, but are quite amusing films for children, again MM is really nothing more that a supporting artist with just a few if any lines.
As for Scorpion Springit's not a bad film but it also isn't screen stealing either.
But it's basically more of a made for TV movie, and although it has a lot of twists and turns in the plot, which keeps it quite interesting viewing, there are no subtitles and key plot developments are unveiled in Spanish, so non Spanish speakers will be left a little lost.
I had it as a Xmas gift, as it's a family trait to work through the films of a actor we find talented, and Matthew Mconaughey was just awesome in "A Time to kill" , and the "The Newton Boys " so I expressed I wanted to see more of his work.
However although it says on the DVD box it is a Matthew Mconaughey film and uses this as a marketing ploy, he has a few lines and is on screen for not very minutes at the end of the film, he is basically an extra and he doesn't exactly light up the screen while he is on, so die hard fans, really not worth it from that point of view.
The films star though, Patrick McGaw is great though and very easy on the eye, and his character is just so nice and kind and caring, a true saint of a guy, he'd be well written into a ROM com.
So for true Mcconaughey acting brilliance of the ones I've seen, I'd recommend, "A Time to kill" , "The Newton Boys " "Frailty", "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days", "Edtv" and "Amistad" and avoid too "Larger Than Life" and "Angels in the Outfield" unless you feel like a kids film or have kids around as neither of these are indicative of his talent, but are quite amusing films for children, again MM is really nothing more that a supporting artist with just a few if any lines.
As for Scorpion Springit's not a bad film but it also isn't screen stealing either.
Not enough Matthew
raesun21 May 1999
Rented the movie to see McConaughey, instead sat through this entire movie, only to view the actor for the last 15 minutes of the movie.
The content and acting leaves a little to be desired. Seems like something that you would see at a high school amateur video viewing.
The content and acting leaves a little to be desired. Seems like something that you would see at a high school amateur video viewing.
Very funny movie
RobertAllen17 August 2005
I don't understand why the other comments focus on McConaughey. He has never been a very interesting film actor.
The best part of this movie is the writing and the wit. Alfred Molina and Patrick McGaw make an unusual comic duo, definitely not stock types. Although one can't say their characters are well developed that doesn't make them any less funny.
The version I saw was on HDNET and had subtitles for the Spanish dialog, so that was certainly not a problem. The use of Spanish gives it more authenticity.
A very underrated movie, judging by the unusually low score IMDb members have given it. I thought it was fun and interesting and worth a 7 at least. A lot of slick movies with higher scores and making big money at the box office are much less interesting.
The best part of this movie is the writing and the wit. Alfred Molina and Patrick McGaw make an unusual comic duo, definitely not stock types. Although one can't say their characters are well developed that doesn't make them any less funny.
The version I saw was on HDNET and had subtitles for the Spanish dialog, so that was certainly not a problem. The use of Spanish gives it more authenticity.
A very underrated movie, judging by the unusually low score IMDb members have given it. I thought it was fun and interesting and worth a 7 at least. A lot of slick movies with higher scores and making big money at the box office are much less interesting.
Enjoyable
ThatsGoodInnit14 February 2006
After some of the negative reviews i heard on this movie, i was doubtful of giving it a go, but i had £3.99 in my wallet & thought id gamble on buying a budget like movie & saw this and gave it ago & I'm glad i did, i enjoyed it. Directed by The star of films such as Chain Reaction, the Ring, Bourne Identity,(Brian Cox) i had to gamble with this even if it was rubbish but it weren't at all, i found some of the humour quite funny especially Alfred Molina the star of Spider-man 2 the Character Doc Ock. He was excellent the most enjoyable part of the film. Of course like many other people which bought this movie i saw Matthew's name, and that made me get it! and no his part isn't big at all, it's very short at the very end of the film, it's not a big part which makes me believe thats why people hate the film. I suggest you give it a go. Some parts are a pit poor that needed polishing, the acting, and a bit more action. But it's watchable.
Not so bad
vhilden14 May 2006
This film is directed by Brian Cox who is famous for directing ... well, it seems that the most important film of his career is "Scorpion Spring". Apart from Music Director Lalo Schifrin, there is no one of importance in the cast. It's one of those ultra low-cost films, most of the action happens in a ghost town around the USA-Mexico border.
Anyhow, despite its limitations, or maybe because one's expectations are so low, there is some good suspense in the film. I wouldn't pay a movie ticket to watch this in a theater, but watching it from the beginning in the TV is certainly worthwhile. Considering the limitations, I would rate it 7 out of 10.
Anyhow, despite its limitations, or maybe because one's expectations are so low, there is some good suspense in the film. I wouldn't pay a movie ticket to watch this in a theater, but watching it from the beginning in the TV is certainly worthwhile. Considering the limitations, I would rate it 7 out of 10.
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