That was hard for me..... it felt like a personal mission but not sure why the authorities were helping him.... greater good part, now I get it. - Toni 🤓
@@popculturallychallenged they took advantage of the situation and let Alejandro take advantage while at the same time "restore order" in a way but in reality that scenario wouldn't be possible anymore, the only way would be to get rid of all cartels at the same time but for that to happen there shouldn't be any demand for what they sell so there is where the real problem exists
SPOILER ALERT: Brolin's character is a CIA Special Operations Group leader and he can't legally operate on American soil without being attached to a task force headed by a non CIA asset (they used Blunt's F.B.I. character to circumvent that law by attaching her and keeping her in the dark about what is going on). The USA gov is morally reprehensible to some degree in this fictional movie because it's doing everything it can to put a specific entity back at the top of the drug chain by eliminating specific individuals (with the help of Del Toro's character - a former Colombian prosecutor/now CIA trained assassin). They are doing so, not to stop drug flow into the U.S. (they view that as a losing battle), but to reduce the violence that has erupted with the cartels competing against one another in the drug trade. In essence, the U.S. wants one cartel - not a dozen - and they are using the CIA to achieve that goal.
Great breakdown of the mindset behind CIA policy. ------- The CIA can't tell the public they are not fighting the war on drugs. They have to devise a policy that tries to contain it. -------- Their actions always have unintended consequences, such as the Iran-Contra scandal.
The CIA claims it's to contain the drug cartels in order to minimize it, but the logic that having one cartel in control makes it less chaotic is absurd when you look at the historical context. I doubt the CIA SOG team actually knows who they are working for and what their real purpose is, kind of like how Kate didn't know at first. Not to dismiss, minimize or excuse the history of the US with drug trade, but this dates back shortly before and shortly after the US was formed. The First Opium War and the Second Opium War where the US officially waged war with the British against the Chinese to sell opium. A lot of the same families that were in the drug trade then are still in similar business today (e.g. Sackler family). This was hinted in the movie with the ""Medellin refers to a time..." reference where one group controlled everything.
12 years I lived in El Paso and it was one of the safest cities in the U.S. Juarez was quite another story. Many, many missing women, large numbers of people “missing” and occasionally found in mass graves. Kate was needed as a domestic law-enforcement presence only. Teams train together a lot and an outsider isn’t going to be given any latitude. Plus it was proven several times she was too maverick and wouldn’t go with their plans, so it was true she couldn’t be trusted to know.
I wasn't old enough but I recall one spring break in Matamoros there was alot of drama about spring breakers being killed but now thinking about it, was that true or my mom telling me stories so I wouldn't go to those places.... I think it was true but not sure to what extent. - Toni 🤓
There is a great show "The Bridge" Would be an interesting reaction. There is an American version Juarez/El Paso and European (original) Malmo, Sweden/Copenhagen
@@popculturallychallenged Hard to say either way, but from what I've seen the cartels are VERY wary of messing with visiting US citizens because they don't want the attention and heat, they even tend to heavily enforce punishment (including executions) towards their own that lay a hand on US civilians. No clue if this is a new thing or not.
@@popculturallychallenged: You're probably thinking of the incident where a spring breaker was kidnapped, tortured and sacrificed by a Satanic cult (actually, some weird Afro-Caribbean voodoo-style black magic cult) in the vicinity of Matamoros. They found the guy's remains in a cauldron. The cult would perform black magic to protect superstitious Mexican drug traffickers. This was in the late 80s or early 90s, I believe. The murdered kid's name was something like Kilroy, if I recall.
Benicio del Toro was the "Hitman", Columbian lawyer, he is a very under rated actor and been in a fair few films, I think he is one of them actors who rather be in a good film for nothing than be paid well for a bad one.
Underrated? No he isn't. He's a two time Oscar nominee. He won an Oscar for Traffic. Should have also won for 21 Grams. He is HIGHLY respected as one of the best actors of his generation. Lol!
@@warrenbfeagins Exactly, his underrated, you got the likes of Rene Zellweger, Hillary Swank and Sean Penn with two Oscars wins and his miles better than them, hands down.
@@jacobhall2628 I would not go that far, Swank was good in them two films, which I feel suited her, but literally everything else she managed to get a part in was average at best, not that I have seen a lot of them. I tend to get partially turned off the film if she is in it, which says a lot, being as fair as I can with her, it not a refusal to watch he film along the lines of Nicolas Cage, but a, if there are other decent actors/actresses in the film I would overlook the fact she is in it vibe.
At the end when she was aiming to shoot him - while he probably knew she wouldn't do it, on the flip side in a way it might've been a relief to him - ending his pain/grief/loss. He's a man with nothing left to live for, willing to take risks because dying might be his release from his personal hell?
Benicio Del Toro is Puerto Rican, but he can seamlessly weave in and out of nationalities when playing a role. He's one of the baddest MFers of all-time!
Its also a kindness. By killing Silvio Alejandro is removing suspicion of his involvement in the incursion....thus sparing his wife and son from possible retaliation from the remaining cartel leadership. Leaving Silvio alive wouldve put his family at risk. Alejandro understands these cartels very well. Too well...unfortunately for Silvio
Benicio del Toro won an Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Traffic in 2001. And btw he is from Puerto Rico. Last thought,this Benicio and Emily Blunt second movie together. She was his love interest in The Wolf Man.
Spanish is my mother tongue, honestly I don't remember hearing "vinegar face" in that scene... maybe it's an accent flaw, Benicio del Toro is Spanish and his character is Colombian. I've heard Benicio speaking like Mexican in other movies but he didn't sounded very much Colombian in this one.
We go to Mex (Juarez ) for dental work, farmacia, visit family...but not to party anymore...it's been years...but yeah Sicario movies are Very life like!
"So are they on they on their own personal mission or there for the greater good" Everyone except Alejandro is there for the greater good, and to take back control. Alejandro is there on a personal mission. He just so happens to be going after the same people the CIA are. Kinda like the old saying the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Has nothing to do with rights, they picked her over Reggie because Reggie graduated Law from UNC, and was former military. In that conference room right after the shed explosion, Matt Graver says "No lawyers on this train." Reggie's not in the movie all too much but his background would've blew the cover off of this whole operation way quicker than Kate, probably as soon as they crossed over into Juarez. He even warned Kate about half way into the movie that she needs to be careful around those guys because CIA isn't supposed to work on the domestic U.S side of the fence. The whole CIA & Delta team needed someone who was oblivious and who they were able to control more easily than a guy like Reggie who knew the intricacies of laws and even combat to a degree, as well. Before their mission to the tunnel in Nogales, he reveals the reason why they needed her was because CIA can't operate on American soil without a domestic agency liaison attached to them and that's LITERALLY her sole purpose of being there; nothing else. It's also why in that conference meeting in the beginning of the movie, he asks her if she had a husband and kids because they don't need someone who has attachments that the cartel can get a hand on as leverage, nor do they need someone who will probably tell their family if they decide to talk like Kate threatened to at the end of the movie, and lastly they don''t want to have to open up this can of worms if Kate is killed in the mission and the family demands answers. She was thoroughly used to further their mission objective, and we watch the majority of movie from her perspective because most of the audience would be as clueless as she is going into this mission and we're just there for the ride just as she was.
A movie I've watched more times, over the past few years, than any other. And I've watched quite a few movies many times in that same amount of time. It really gripps you and makes you wonder if there are things seen in the background, that are very important.
Same. Over 22 years not going into Mexico. Tijuana. Rosarito Beach. Got family from my exwifes side I'll probably never see again. Lots of nieces n nephews. I worry for the girls now young ladies with their own families. Had one niece murdered in TJ. She had been the first born "cousin"/kid of all our families.
""Cara de vinagre" isn't directly translated at face value. It's more along the lines of someone having an ugly face. As in the sour/bitterness of the vinegar, it gave them such a fugly face or a face you can't stand to look at because it disgusts or upsets you in a certain way . So it's like calling someone ugly, yes its an insult. I've heard that expression as kid growing up while visiting family in Mexico, and im 38 now. Also, Mexico isn't as bad as it's made out to be. The bad being done throughout Mexico is real but it's also not everywhere. Not all Mexico is like Juarez. You can still travel to Mexico and enjoy the country to the fullest. But theres certain things you should or shouldn't do. For example, never travel after sunset, especially driving aelund or getting taxis or any form of transportation at night. Travel around during the day and just enjoy yourselves. Mind your business. Cartel members are around lots of places, and you'll come in contact with them, but mind your business, and they won't even bat an eye at you. They want tourists in their towns to drop american dollars to keep their areas going with money. They aren't going to rob you or anything just as long as you keep to yourselves and aren't causing drama or anything for anyone. Lots of people travel to Mexico all the time throughout the years, and everyone I know says the same thing, mind your business, and they'll leave you alone. Dont dress all gaudy and draw unnecessary attention with jewelry and nice fancy designer clothes. Leave that at home. Dress normally and you'll have a wonderful time in Mexico.
I'm so glad someone else heard that.... I started to think I was not understanding spanish anymore. I love mexico, though I have never been to Mexico City which I hope to get there someday. I love Monterrey, Durango, Cancun, Tampico and Mazatlan. I hope to visit family in Veracruz and Guadalajara at some point. I get all my info from my family but I definelty would not go to any of the border towns and a few miles in. I have had family hurt and though I know I would mind my business, I wouldn't want to my kids to possible danger. I'm pretty simple if you haven't noticed but I love being adventurous and trying out places that are not for tourists which is where i would get myself into trouble. 😂 - Toni 🤓
At 21:49 they are using infrared goggles. The human body emits infrared radiation and the goggles help them see living objects at night. It works just like you see. Anything warm will glow white.
To fully grasp this movie you need to see it at least twice, because it is unconventional. The protagonist of the story is actually Alejandro and the movie is about hus revenge on Alarcon. Kate is just the audience, a vector for us to witness that vengeance. Is Kate being used ? Yes, definitely. So is Alejandro. The difference being that he knows he's being used but doesn't care as long as he can get to Alarcon. Now, I have seen this movie several times and at first I was like you Toni, I was feeling sorry for Kate. She was being used, kept in the dark. But the more I see this film, the more I'm starting to understand something. Kate is actually the villain here. Bear with me on this. You say that "doing the right thing is always the right call". Yes, that's fair enough. But was Kate really trying to do the right thing ? At first it would seem so. But don't forget the story is told through her perspective, so obviously she thinks she is trying to do the right thing. But is the right thing according to Kate, the actual "right thing" ? We'll get back to that. She's being kept in the dark. Why ? Well first of all, there is always an element of "need to know basis" at that level. Being a ranking officer in her own field she cannot be totally alien to the concept and probably used it herself several times on her subordinates. But there is also her attitude. She accepts to embark on this mission, and she definitely knows Matt is CIA, so she's gonna be way out of her element. Yet, she refuses to listen to anything he or Alejandro tell her, from the get go. "Get out of the car" - she stars in the car, and nearly gets killed. "Don't go in the bank" - she goes in the bank and nearly gets killed. Plus her ego makes her refuse to learn things when she's supposed to, and when she learns them she ignores them anyway ! Why would Matt trust her when she ostensibly does not care about anything he tells her ? Kate's problem is her ego. She has her own view of right and wring and absolutely refuses to even consider the possibility of things being a bit more complex. Even when her own boss clearly tells her that the operation has been approved and she's not operating outside the boundaries because "they have been moved", she keeps fighting it. Even though he reminds her that the methods she's been using for years leads absolutely nowhere, (which she acknowledges !), she keeps fighting it. Even in the end, when Matt tells her everything and explains what they're doing, she refuses to hear it. He's telling her the operation will bring a bit more stability and less devastation, but she doesn't care. She would rather the cartel war to continue on, with all that it entails of massacres, torture and atrocities as long as she can stick with her principles and keep seeing herself as the good guy. This is not trying to do the right thing at this stage, it is total hubris and egotistical behaviour, plain and simple. That is why I love that film, it is layered and the more you watch it the more you start peeling of those layers. And, as Alejandro tells Kate, "In the end, you will understand." Sorry for the long post 😅 Love you guys 😀
Marvel connections: The actor playing the bald Mexican police officer played SHIELD Agent Sitwell in the early MCU movies Josh Brolin played Thanos in "Infinity War" and Cable in "Deadpool 2" Benicio Del Toro played the Collector in "Thor 2", "Guardians of the Galaxy", and "Infinity War" Jon Bernthal played Frank Castle in "Daredevil" season 2 and the "Punisher" Netflix series'
Daniel Kaluuya (Reggie) played the best friend of King T’Challa in Black Panther. Though Emily Blunts hasn’t been in an MCU movie, her husband John Krasinki played Mr. Fantastic of the Fantastic Four in the 2nd Doctor Strange movie.
the plan was to disrupt the stability of the multiple competing cartels to then reestablish the old hierarchy that used to exist when Escobar ran the Medellín cartel. this is because the us government can deal with a single entity or possibly control it to a certain extent, but not the multiple cartels like we have today. competing cartels lead to more volatile conditions for all sides. this is because when it was one major operation, it to an extent policed itself. it policed itself because the more stable it was the more it was ignorable. the more ignorable it was the less it incurred the retaliation from state forces like the us government or Mexico.
There is a lot that suggest US and Mexican governments favoring the Sinaloa cartel back in the day and that's supposedly why they were willing to work with one cartel while targeting another this heavily, would explain the "restoring order" line. Mexico became more dangerous when Sinaloa started crumbling into several cells, including the formation of CJNG which is considered the most brutal cartel today and worse than Sinaloa ever was.
In my country, when a police officer has to face a situation like the one Kate faces, we usually say that he has three options: to omit himself, to corrupt himself or to go to war.
@@popculturallychallenged Most prefer to omit themselves. They don't want to be corrupted, but they also don't want to get into a situation that could put their families at risk.
Emily Blunt's character was a terrible field agent. The very first move taught in LEO hand-to-hand courses is how to get out of the bottom of a Mount position while being strangled or punched.
When Kate grabs her gun in her apartment, she turns the wrong way. If she had turned the other way she would have had him. But, she's F.B.I. so she nearly got herself killed.
Things havent changed much. Thats why i cross at Progresso. I try and go every weekend but right at 8am. Also Benicio Del Torro is actually Puerto Rican, i believe.
I’ rather have thermal vision vs. night vision. Personally, my eyes adapt better to thermal plus, if the lights go out, night vision is useless. Night vision needs light to work.
Typically moonlight. That’s why U.S. military special forces like to conduct ops when the moon is full. Obviously, if the moon is full but its cloudy, this would pose a prob. In this scenario, most likely everyone would b forced to wear thermal devices, including the pilots who fly special forces to and from the fight. In the case of this movie, there was artificial light, from light bulbs lining the tunnel walls.
The military does not like to conduct missions when the moon is full. They prefer near to total darkness and rely on the stars to give just enough ambient light to let their NVG’s work. Most Spec Ops take place with no moon. The rescue of Jessica Buchanon in Somalia was done in near total darkness. Hell, there was even a movie made with the title Zero Dark Thirty. Why? Because the raid that killed UBL was done when there was no moonlight to speak of.
Colombia and America had a deal to takedown the Mexican bosses. Colombia takes over and cuts America in on The deal. And Alejandro is the Hitman, who chose the job to avenge his family. Easy
@@popculturallychallenged She did have a handgun as backup, she had it out when she confronted Antonio Banderas' character. She was just surprised that her gun was shot.
I've been to Mexico once, also around 30 odd years ago (no...i'm south african...don't ask)...it was nice..but now...this is a scary movie, and it should shake people...one of the few movies that made my jaw drop...great performances...
When they went to the facility in Tucson is a real place I live about half a mile from it it's the border patrol holding facility. It's located just outside the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base main gate
Movies make Mexico out to be much worse than it is. Yes, there are bad areas that you just don’t want to go in to. But most of it is beautiful with great people and great food and culture. You have not been there in 20 years, well the economy is really doing well and there is a thriving middle class. There are parts of Chicago, NY, LA etc that are just as bad as parts of Mexico.
I agree Mexico is reach in its culture with amazing people and amazing food!! Breathe taking scenery and I would definitely like to explore more of it but the border town are not a place that I would feel comfortable with. I would love to travel into Mexico more with people that know where to go. - Toni 🤓
You might have a different opinion about wall insulation after this movie. Also, I strongly believe the ending was absolutely justified. I gave no spoilers, yet I am a wolf.
love this movie... because this is war! I live in TX there is over 200 miles of border that has no border patrol because we don't need it. there isn't anybody stupid enough to cross there. the only way to win a war is to make it so bloody they don't want to come play anymore!
Speaking spanish but Latin spanish not Spain spanish. Doing the right thing doesn't always lead to good things its more complicated. Also real life is more worse that story book or movie
Not perfect but can get my point across. My brothers tease me that I can forget my spanish so easily but to my defense, I forget everything so easily. 😂 - Toni 😊
Wow, your wife just stereotyped an entire country and it’s people. I’ve lived in Mexico and I’ve lived in different states in Mexico. The people are wonderful, and I’ve never saw one case of violence until I return back to the United States. The US murder rate far outweigh those that happen in Mexico. Yet you’re afraid of Mexico? 😳
They went in the way they did as a "high threat posture" The cartels would have infiltrated the jails and would know the Americans were coming to pick up the the prisoner. Gringos are not sneaking in so they may as well go in fast and loaded for bear.
Taylor Sheridan's script encourages the audience to think that all sorts of rules and laws are being broken. Most are left with the feeling that Kate is a victim here. She volunteered to be a "liaison" not a commander. Then she tries to get them to do everything her way. She doesn't listen. She wants to go along, like to Juarez and the tunnel, but she won't follow orders, like at the bank, and endangers the team and the mission. In fact, the only American law that was broken was by Kate, when she re-entered the US through the tunnel instead of through a Port of Entry. She is typical of the F.B.I. She's certainly not a victim.
She's absolutely a victim. Did you watch the movie? She didn't know they were taking her to Juarez. They told Kate they were headed to El Paso and then they used her status as an FBI agent. She was misled, used by the CIA, nearly strangled to death by a cartel associate, shot twice in the chest by Alejandro, and then forced at gunpoint to sign off on the whole operation. You are out of your mind (or maybe just a misogynist) if you seriously don't consider her a victim.
@@Jeremy252 Does she bear ANY responsibility? She volunteered after being cautioned by her supervisor. She was told that they were going to El Paso. They went to an airbase outside of El Paso. They didn't TAKE her to Juarez. From the dialog it sounded as if they didn't intend for her to accompany them. But, she wanted to go. Just before the ambush she was told to roll down her window. She didn't. She was told not to go into the bank. She went in anyway, trying to hijack the mission. THAT was the source of her being stalked and strangled by a cartel associate. She was shot twice by Alejandro because she again refused to follow instructions and then she pointed her gun at him. She's a grownup. She should take responsibility for her actions. She's not a victim. She's a headstrong screwup. Dropping "misogynist" is kind of like dropping the race card, isn't it? You don't know me. Yet, you make derogatory remarks about me, simply because we disagree.
Tourist spots in Mexico are NOT dangerous. Just don't drive from big city to big city, it's the lil really poor cities in between that you gotta watch out for. I LOVE MEXICO
I agree. I remember years ago, my mom used to drive us around in mexico visiting family and she would always tell us to stay quiet but now..... I wouldn't dare drive from place to place without my brothers or cousins... 🤓 - Toni
"maybe it's going to be a happy movie" that look Toni 😂😂😂
I wear my heart on my sleeve....- Toni 🤓
Happy movie
Owe that's funny
This is the land of wolves now 🤘🤘
Toni: "is he on a personal mission or are they in for the greater good?"
The answer to both questions is 'Yes' 😁
That was hard for me..... it felt like a personal mission but not sure why the authorities were helping him.... greater good part, now I get it. - Toni 🤓
@@popculturallychallenged they took advantage of the situation and let Alejandro take advantage while at the same time "restore order" in a way but in reality that scenario wouldn't be possible anymore, the only way would be to get rid of all cartels at the same time but for that to happen there shouldn't be any demand for what they sell so there is where the real problem exists
@@popculturallychallengedthey helped him because he was taking care of work they couldn’t do. He was taking out Manuel Diaz and his boss
frightening to watch people with so little understanding of context.
It was the greater good because as the agent said….they need to control the import of drugs and minimize its damage
SPOILER ALERT: Brolin's character is a CIA Special Operations Group leader and he can't legally operate on American soil without being attached to a task force headed by a non CIA asset (they used Blunt's F.B.I. character to circumvent that law by attaching her and keeping her in the dark about what is going on). The USA gov is morally reprehensible to some degree in this fictional movie because it's doing everything it can to put a specific entity back at the top of the drug chain by eliminating specific individuals (with the help of Del Toro's character - a former Colombian prosecutor/now CIA trained assassin). They are doing so, not to stop drug flow into the U.S. (they view that as a losing battle), but to reduce the violence that has erupted with the cartels competing against one another in the drug trade. In essence, the U.S. wants one cartel - not a dozen - and they are using the CIA to achieve that goal.
Great breakdown of the mindset behind CIA policy. ------- The CIA can't tell the public they are not fighting the war on drugs. They have to devise a policy that tries to contain it. -------- Their actions always have unintended consequences, such as the Iran-Contra scandal.
The CIA claims it's to contain the drug cartels in order to minimize it, but the logic that having one cartel in control makes it less chaotic is absurd when you look at the historical context. I doubt the CIA SOG team actually knows who they are working for and what their real purpose is, kind of like how Kate didn't know at first.
Not to dismiss, minimize or excuse the history of the US with drug trade, but this dates back shortly before and shortly after the US was formed. The First Opium War and the Second Opium War where the US officially waged war with the British against the Chinese to sell opium. A lot of the same families that were in the drug trade then are still in similar business today (e.g. Sackler family). This was hinted in the movie with the ""Medellin refers to a time..." reference where one group controlled everything.
Doesn't sound reprehensible to me. Sounds smart.
35:35 the movie is called “Sicario” so the protagonist is actually Alejandro. We’re just seeing the story through Kate’s eyes.
12 years I lived in El Paso and it was one of the safest cities in the U.S. Juarez was quite another story. Many, many missing women, large numbers of people “missing” and occasionally found in mass graves. Kate was needed as a domestic law-enforcement presence only. Teams train together a lot and an outsider isn’t going to be given any latitude. Plus it was proven several times she was too maverick and wouldn’t go with their plans, so it was true she couldn’t be trusted to know.
I wasn't old enough but I recall one spring break in Matamoros there was alot of drama about spring breakers being killed but now thinking about it, was that true or my mom telling me stories so I wouldn't go to those places.... I think it was true but not sure to what extent. - Toni 🤓
There is a great show "The Bridge"
Would be an interesting reaction.
There is an American version Juarez/El Paso and European (original) Malmo, Sweden/Copenhagen
@@popculturallychallenged Hard to say either way, but from what I've seen the cartels are VERY wary of messing with visiting US citizens because they don't want the attention and heat, they even tend to heavily enforce punishment (including executions) towards their own that lay a hand on US civilians. No clue if this is a new thing or not.
@@popculturallychallenged: You're probably thinking of the incident where a spring breaker was kidnapped, tortured and sacrificed by a Satanic cult (actually, some weird Afro-Caribbean voodoo-style black magic cult) in the vicinity of Matamoros. They found the guy's remains in a cauldron. The cult would perform black magic to protect superstitious Mexican drug traffickers. This was in the late 80s or early 90s, I believe. The murdered kid's name was something like Kilroy, if I recall.
Safest??? 🤣😂 with all the racism going on there. Safest? 😂🤣
Alejandro began his interrogation with intimidation. He establishe dominance.
Benicio del Toro was the "Hitman", Columbian lawyer, he is a very under rated actor and been in a fair few films, I think he is one of them actors who rather be in a good film for nothing than be paid well for a bad one.
Underrated? No he isn't. He's a two time Oscar nominee. He won an Oscar for Traffic. Should have also won for 21 Grams. He is HIGHLY respected as one of the best actors of his generation. Lol!
@@warrenbfeagins Exactly, his underrated, you got the likes of Rene Zellweger, Hillary Swank and Sean Penn with two Oscars wins and his miles better than them, hands down.
@@evelynroadmedia9415Penn yes, Zellweger debatable, but let's not act like Hilary Swank didn't deserve those wins. She's a phenomenal actress
@@jacobhall2628 I would not go that far, Swank was good in them two films, which I feel suited her, but literally everything else she managed to get a part in was average at best, not that I have seen a lot of them. I tend to get partially turned off the film if she is in it, which says a lot, being as fair as I can with her, it not a refusal to watch he film along the lines of Nicolas Cage, but a, if there are other decent actors/actresses in the film I would overlook the fact she is in it vibe.
At the end when she was aiming to shoot him - while he probably knew she wouldn't do it, on the flip side in a way it might've been a relief to him - ending his pain/grief/loss. He's a man with nothing left to live for, willing to take risks because dying might be his release from his personal hell?
That’s a good point…. Do you think he would slip just to end his misery? - Toni 🤓
Benicio Del Toro is Puerto Rican, but he can seamlessly weave in and out of nationalities when playing a role. He's one of the baddest MFers of all-time!
Hey Toni, I'm truly impressed with your cartel financial procedures handbook. ------ When you point out, "Don't mess with the cartel's money"
I think that applies to all individuals. Don’t mess with people’s 💰 ! - Toni 😂
“Why would he (Alejandro) kill him (Silvio)?”
Dead men tell no tales.
That makes total sense…. - Toni 🤓
Its also a kindness. By killing Silvio Alejandro is removing suspicion of his involvement in the incursion....thus sparing his wife and son from possible retaliation from the remaining cartel leadership. Leaving Silvio alive wouldve put his family at risk.
Alejandro understands these cartels very well. Too well...unfortunately for Silvio
Benicio del Toro won an Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Traffic in 2001. And btw he is from Puerto Rico. Last thought,this Benicio and Emily Blunt second movie together. She was his love interest in The Wolf Man.
15:05 "her partner's wearing the wrong kind of shoes." -toni
the shoe thing. of course toni noticed.
Shoes are important.... -Toni 😂
27:50 "oh, please don't kill the children." -toni
spoiler: he kills the children.
That was terrible.... -Toni 😢
Spanish is my mother tongue, honestly I don't remember hearing "vinegar face" in that scene... maybe it's an accent flaw, Benicio del Toro is Spanish and his character is Colombian. I've heard Benicio speaking like Mexican in other movies but he didn't sounded very much Colombian in this one.
There is no greater good to be found in this. Its about the lesser evil.
I can see that.... - Toni 🤓
Prisoners next for another Denis Villeneuve movie?
Once again, Toni's attention to detail...visually...(not so much on the listening part 😁😁) is amazing.
Sounds right..... My little hamster is just running away in my head.... -Toni 😂
Vinegar is acidic, possibly a connection with his daughter being thrown into a vat of acid.
Ohhhh, that could make sense..... I still found it funny when he said it. - Toni 😂
4:33 i've watched this movie many times, and never once noticed that his face was cut up. good catch toni.
I’m observant that way…. 😉 - Toni
We go to Mex (Juarez ) for dental work, farmacia, visit family...but not to party anymore...it's been years...but yeah Sicario movies are Very life like!
Great reaction guys, now you have to see part 2.
Looking forward to watching it. - Toni 🤓
"So are they on they on their own personal mission or there for the greater good"
Everyone except Alejandro is there for the greater good, and to take back control. Alejandro is there on a personal mission. He just so happens to be going after the same people the CIA are. Kinda like the old saying the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
“I don’t think I have a vein that pops out like that..”random but funny😂😂
14:20 "you really shouldn't mess with the wallet because that will really piss people off." -toni
sounds like a threat towards someone. 😯
😂 - Toni
"Why would they send her first for starters"?
The Answer: Equal rights 👍
Has nothing to do with rights, they picked her over Reggie because Reggie graduated Law from UNC, and was former military. In that conference room right after the shed explosion, Matt Graver says "No lawyers on this train." Reggie's not in the movie all too much but his background would've blew the cover off of this whole operation way quicker than Kate, probably as soon as they crossed over into Juarez. He even warned Kate about half way into the movie that she needs to be careful around those guys because CIA isn't supposed to work on the domestic U.S side of the fence. The whole CIA & Delta team needed someone who was oblivious and who they were able to control more easily than a guy like Reggie who knew the intricacies of laws and even combat to a degree, as well. Before their mission to the tunnel in Nogales, he reveals the reason why they needed her was because CIA can't operate on American soil without a domestic agency liaison attached to them and that's LITERALLY her sole purpose of being there; nothing else. It's also why in that conference meeting in the beginning of the movie, he asks her if she had a husband and kids because they don't need someone who has attachments that the cartel can get a hand on as leverage, nor do they need someone who will probably tell their family if they decide to talk like Kate threatened to at the end of the movie, and lastly they don''t want to have to open up this can of worms if Kate is killed in the mission and the family demands answers. She was thoroughly used to further their mission objective, and we watch the majority of movie from her perspective because most of the audience would be as clueless as she is going into this mission and we're just there for the ride just as she was.
Long story short....equal rights.
Why send Her first ... equality ???
I thought he did it to be mean.... 😂 - Toni
Been a long time i wanted this react, so thank you both 🙏
You're welcome! 😃
A movie I've watched more times, over the past few years, than any other. And I've watched quite a few movies many times in that same amount of time. It really gripps you and makes you wonder if there are things seen in the background, that are very important.
Very true. Like why didn't the housekeeper scream or run or hide.... - Toni 🤓
Same. Over 22 years not going into Mexico. Tijuana. Rosarito Beach. Got family from my exwifes side I'll probably never see again. Lots of nieces n nephews. I worry for the girls now young ladies with their own families.
Had one niece murdered in TJ. She had been the first born "cousin"/kid of all our families.
""Cara de vinagre" isn't directly translated at face value. It's more along the lines of someone having an ugly face. As in the sour/bitterness of the vinegar, it gave them such a fugly face or a face you can't stand to look at because it disgusts or upsets you in a certain way . So it's like calling someone ugly, yes its an insult. I've heard that expression as kid growing up while visiting family in Mexico, and im 38 now.
Also, Mexico isn't as bad as it's made out to be. The bad being done throughout Mexico is real but it's also not everywhere. Not all Mexico is like Juarez. You can still travel to Mexico and enjoy the country to the fullest. But theres certain things you should or shouldn't do. For example, never travel after sunset, especially driving aelund or getting taxis or any form of transportation at night. Travel around during the day and just enjoy yourselves. Mind your business. Cartel members are around lots of places, and you'll come in contact with them, but mind your business, and they won't even bat an eye at you. They want tourists in their towns to drop american dollars to keep their areas going with money. They aren't going to rob you or anything just as long as you keep to yourselves and aren't causing drama or anything for anyone. Lots of people travel to Mexico all the time throughout the years, and everyone I know says the same thing, mind your business, and they'll leave you alone. Dont dress all gaudy and draw unnecessary attention with jewelry and nice fancy designer clothes. Leave that at home. Dress normally and you'll have a wonderful time in Mexico.
I'm so glad someone else heard that.... I started to think I was not understanding spanish anymore. I love mexico, though I have never been to Mexico City which I hope to get there someday. I love Monterrey, Durango, Cancun, Tampico and Mazatlan. I hope to visit family in Veracruz and Guadalajara at some point. I get all my info from my family but I definelty would not go to any of the border towns and a few miles in. I have had family hurt and though I know I would mind my business, I wouldn't want to my kids to possible danger. I'm pretty simple if you haven't noticed but I love being adventurous and trying out places that are not for tourists which is where i would get myself into trouble. 😂 - Toni 🤓
2:52 - "That drywall couldn't have been that sealed."
I'm guessing someone worked in rental, real estate, or home construction business. 😆
At 21:49 they are using infrared goggles. The human body emits infrared radiation and the goggles help them see living objects at night. It works just like you see. Anything warm will glow white.
Thank you for helping understand the differences. - Toni 🤓
Kate is not the main character ,Alejandro is ,ita a revenge movie
To fully grasp this movie you need to see it at least twice, because it is unconventional.
The protagonist of the story is actually Alejandro and the movie is about hus revenge on Alarcon. Kate is just the audience, a vector for us to witness that vengeance.
Is Kate being used ? Yes, definitely. So is Alejandro. The difference being that he knows he's being used but doesn't care as long as he can get to Alarcon.
Now, I have seen this movie several times and at first I was like you Toni, I was feeling sorry for Kate. She was being used, kept in the dark.
But the more I see this film, the more I'm starting to understand something.
Kate is actually the villain here.
Bear with me on this.
You say that "doing the right thing is always the right call". Yes, that's fair enough. But was Kate really trying to do the right thing ? At first it would seem so. But don't forget the story is told through her perspective, so obviously she thinks she is trying to do the right thing. But is the right thing according to Kate, the actual "right thing" ? We'll get back to that.
She's being kept in the dark. Why ?
Well first of all, there is always an element of "need to know basis" at that level. Being a ranking officer in her own field she cannot be totally alien to the concept and probably used it herself several times on her subordinates.
But there is also her attitude. She accepts to embark on this mission, and she definitely knows Matt is CIA, so she's gonna be way out of her element. Yet, she refuses to listen to anything he or Alejandro tell her, from the get go.
"Get out of the car" - she stars in the car, and nearly gets killed.
"Don't go in the bank" - she goes in the bank and nearly gets killed.
Plus her ego makes her refuse to learn things when she's supposed to, and when she learns them she ignores them anyway !
Why would Matt trust her when she ostensibly does not care about anything he tells her ?
Kate's problem is her ego. She has her own view of right and wring and absolutely refuses to even consider the possibility of things being a bit more complex.
Even when her own boss clearly tells her that the operation has been approved and she's not operating outside the boundaries because "they have been moved", she keeps fighting it. Even though he reminds her that the methods she's been using for years leads absolutely nowhere, (which she acknowledges !), she keeps fighting it.
Even in the end, when Matt tells her everything and explains what they're doing, she refuses to hear it. He's telling her the operation will bring a bit more stability and less devastation, but she doesn't care. She would rather the cartel war to continue on, with all that it entails of massacres, torture and atrocities as long as she can stick with her principles and keep seeing herself as the good guy. This is not trying to do the right thing at this stage, it is total hubris and egotistical behaviour, plain and simple.
That is why I love that film, it is layered and the more you watch it the more you start peeling of those layers. And, as Alejandro tells Kate, "In the end, you will understand."
Sorry for the long post 😅
Love you guys 😀
Well said.
30:59 "I don't think i have a vein that pops out like that." -toni
and I hope you're never in a situation that would activate the forehead vein.
Me too!! - Toni 😂
Marvel connections:
The actor playing the bald Mexican police officer played SHIELD Agent Sitwell in the early MCU movies
Josh Brolin played Thanos in "Infinity War" and Cable in "Deadpool 2"
Benicio Del Toro played the Collector in "Thor 2", "Guardians of the Galaxy", and "Infinity War"
Jon Bernthal played Frank Castle in "Daredevil" season 2 and the "Punisher" Netflix series'
Daniel Kaluuya (Reggie) played the best friend of King T’Challa in Black Panther.
Though Emily Blunts hasn’t been in an MCU movie, her husband John Krasinki played Mr. Fantastic of the Fantastic Four in the 2nd Doctor Strange movie.
24:19 "😮" -toni
"oh sh*t!" -david
I was so surprised he shot her..... - Toni 😯
No disrespect, but you guys asked questions during the movie, that the movie has already answered.
I’ll need to pay better attention. Thank you. - Toni 🤓
the plan was to disrupt the stability of the multiple competing cartels to then reestablish the old hierarchy that used to exist when Escobar ran the Medellín cartel. this is because the us government can deal with a single entity or possibly control it to a certain extent, but not the multiple cartels like we have today. competing cartels lead to more volatile conditions for all sides. this is because when it was one major operation, it to an extent policed itself. it policed itself because the more stable it was the more it was ignorable. the more ignorable it was the less it incurred the retaliation from state forces like the us government or Mexico.
Denis Villeneuve directed one of my favorite movies of the last 20 years: Arrival (2016).
There is a lot that suggest US and Mexican governments favoring the Sinaloa cartel back in the day and that's supposedly why they were willing to work with one cartel while targeting another this heavily, would explain the "restoring order" line. Mexico became more dangerous when Sinaloa started crumbling into several cells, including the formation of CJNG which is considered the most brutal cartel today and worse than Sinaloa ever was.
In my country, when a police officer has to face a situation like the one Kate faces, we usually say that he has three options: to omit himself, to corrupt himself or to go to war.
Which one do they ususally choose? - Toni 🤓
@@popculturallychallenged Most prefer to omit themselves. They don't want to be corrupted, but they also don't want to get into a situation that could put their families at risk.
Or get neutralized by other cops for not being on the take. ACAB
Emily Blunt's character was a terrible field agent. The very first move taught in LEO hand-to-hand courses is how to get out of the bottom of a Mount position while being strangled or punched.
5:35 "I don't know I've never been there." -david
but you live in Texas!
Right!! I’ve only driven by El Paso but have friends from El Paso… lol - Toni
When Kate grabs her gun in her apartment, she turns the wrong way. If she had turned the other way she would have had him. But, she's F.B.I. so she nearly got herself killed.
Things havent changed much. Thats why i cross at Progresso. I try and go every weekend but right at 8am. Also Benicio Del Torro is actually Puerto Rican, i believe.
I think Toni should only watch G-Rated Disney movies from now on after watching two movies that were pretty intense for her that I saw.
The maid was the 6th person.
I thought so.... -Toni 🤓
I’ rather have thermal vision vs. night vision.
Personally, my eyes adapt better to thermal plus, if the lights go out, night vision is useless.
Night vision needs light to work.
Wow, wouldn’t have guessed that… where does it find light at night? - Toni 🙃
Typically moonlight. That’s why U.S. military special forces like to conduct ops when the moon is full.
Obviously, if the moon is full but its cloudy, this would pose a prob.
In this scenario, most likely everyone would b forced to wear thermal devices, including the pilots who fly special forces to and from the fight.
In the case of this movie, there was artificial light, from light bulbs lining the tunnel walls.
The military does not like to conduct missions when the moon is full. They prefer near to total darkness and rely on the stars to give just enough ambient light to let their NVG’s work. Most Spec Ops take place with no moon. The rescue of Jessica Buchanon in Somalia was done in near total darkness. Hell, there was even a movie made with the title Zero Dark Thirty. Why? Because the raid that killed UBL was done when there was no moonlight to speak of.
Colombia and America had a deal to takedown the Mexican bosses. Colombia takes over and cuts America in on The deal. And Alejandro is the Hitman, who chose the job to avenge his family.
Easy
23:55 She had a gun, a bullet hit her main weapon so that's why she was exclaiming "My gun".
Yep, surprised she didn’t have a back up readily available…. - Toni
@@popculturallychallengedHer backup is her pistol.
@@popculturallychallenged She did have a handgun as backup, she had it out when she confronted Antonio Banderas' character. She was just surprised that her gun was shot.
I've been to Mexico once, also around 30 odd years ago (no...i'm south african...don't ask)...it was nice..but now...this is a scary movie, and it should shake people...one of the few movies that made my jaw drop...great performances...
Agreed! -Toni 🤓
Missed the live, darn it! Watching now... Interested to see a new to both of you like this one.
I thought Toni might cry at the family scene.
Hope you enjoyed and I think that surprised a lot a people. I think I was scared for them…. - Toni 🤓
Benicio del Toro a Puerto Rico actor
U guys r gonna love the sequel.
Different plot but nevertheless, very good movie.
I’m looking forward to watching it! - Toni 🤓
Matt told her that they were going to "the El Paso...area:. She didn't listen. A mistake that she will repeat many times. Words mean things.
32:17 Hi from Brownsville 👋🏽
WOW!!! Hello! I'm actually visiting soon.... Hope all is well back home. 😊 - Toni 🤓
When they went to the facility in Tucson is a real place I live about half a mile from it it's the border patrol holding facility. It's located just outside the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base main gate
Oh cool!! - Toni 🤓
Arizona plates because Miguel Ives in Arizona. They wanted him to go back to Mexico to find where the big boss lived.
Thank you for clearing that up for me. Thank you so much!! - Toni 🤓
Movies make Mexico out to be much worse than it is. Yes, there are bad areas that you just don’t want to go in to. But most of it is beautiful with great people and great food and culture. You have not been there in 20 years, well the economy is really doing well and there is a thriving middle class. There are parts of Chicago, NY, LA etc that are just as bad as parts of Mexico.
I agree Mexico is reach in its culture with amazing people and amazing food!! Breathe taking scenery and I would definitely like to explore more of it but the border town are not a place that I would feel comfortable with. I would love to travel into Mexico more with people that know where to go. - Toni 🤓
5:49 toni may be pop culturally challenged, but she is not geographically challenged. david on the other hand... 😬
🤭 - I actually felt a little smarter than David....two points for me. - Toni 🤓 😉
Glad I’ve discovered this channel. Subscribed
Welcome aboard!
He said not to do it in front of his boys. Wish granted.
You guys are awesome
Thank you so much!
You really need to do Good Will Hunting. Unless you've seen it already.
We actually watched it already. Go take a look and see what you think…. 😊 - Toni
You might have a different opinion about wall insulation after this movie. Also, I strongly believe the ending was absolutely justified. I gave no spoilers, yet I am a wolf.
I'm going to be a little scared to look inside walls now.... - Toni 🤓
Just starting to watch this and my heart already hurts for Toni! 😥
Oh I was strong..... I might make you proud!! - Toni 🤓
OK, so now I'm wondering about Toni's background. She was pretty unfazed. 😮
AWESOME T-Shirt! I was at that game!
Yea I was crushed watching that game at home! - David
Why??? The Cowboys WON!! Haha!
love this movie... because this is war! I live in TX there is over 200 miles of border that has no border patrol because we don't need it. there isn't anybody stupid enough to cross there. the only way to win a war is to make it so bloody they don't want to come play anymore!
Speaking spanish but Latin spanish not Spain spanish. Doing the right thing doesn't always lead to good things its more complicated. Also real life is more worse that story book or movie
Well said… Toni 🤓
Absolutly best reaction EVER!!!❤
Thank you!! So glad that you took the time to watch with us. - Toni 🥰
There is a sequel 3 years later.
I think we will need to watch. - Toni 🤓
The follow up movie was good too! Hope ya see it!🤠
I'm truly looking forward to it. strange but true. - Toni 🤓
I think this is gonna be rough. 😳
I think I surprised myself for being strong thru this one. - Toni 🤓
@@popculturallychallenged you did very well.
Great reaction to a great movie. Do you speak fluent Spanish, Toni?
Best wishes to you both from Nigeria.
Not perfect but can get my point across. My brothers tease me that I can forget my spanish so easily but to my defense, I forget everything so easily. 😂 - Toni 😊
Revenge, is best served...cold.
"Rambo [5]: Last Blood" (2019) deals with Cartels on the Mexican border.
Wow, your wife just stereotyped an entire country and it’s people. I’ve lived in Mexico and I’ve lived in different states in Mexico. The people are wonderful, and I’ve never saw one case of violence until I return back to the United States. The US murder rate far outweigh those that happen in Mexico. Yet you’re afraid of Mexico? 😳
28:58 You would make a terrible witness in court 😑
6:13 Yeah, not working for me.
Just subscribed so let's go!!!
Welcome to the channel! We've got Sicario 2 coming soon!
saludos desde la República Dominicana excelente video
lovely mexico isn´t it ?
They went in the way they did as a "high threat posture" The cartels would have infiltrated the jails and would know the Americans were coming to pick up the the prisoner. Gringos are not sneaking in so they may as well go in fast and loaded for bear.
What American laws are they going outside of, David?
Infrared/EMR goggles.
He seemed to be annoyed with his wife lol
He probably was.... 😂 - Toni 🤓 🤷🏻♀️
0:20 I hope you paused the reaction and headed to the bedroom for the action she needed. LOL
😂 - Toni
Awesome reaction/ can you please watch a movie called ANY GIVEN SUNDAY.
😅
I was strong and very interested.... -Toni 🤓
the fake-out protagonist, seldom seen
Very true… - Toni 🤓
Agreed. I think of Kate as the antagonist of this film
watch road house 2024 🙏
I didn't realize that there was a new Road House.... Adding it to our list. - Toni 🤓
ISKM Telenovela
What's ISKM? - Toni 🤓
Lord Jesus tell your wife to just pay attention some times..lol
Yikes, I thought I was paying attention. - Toni 🤷🏻♀️
can u guys please react to movie, JUST FRIENDS, FUNNY
Keeping this one in my pocket for when I need a funny movie. Thank you for the recommendation. - Toni
Taylor Sheridan's script encourages the audience to think that all sorts of rules and laws are being broken. Most are left with the feeling that Kate is a victim here. She volunteered to be a "liaison" not a commander. Then she tries to get them to do everything her way. She doesn't listen. She wants to go along, like to Juarez and the tunnel, but she won't follow orders, like at the bank, and endangers the team and the mission. In fact, the only American law that was broken was by Kate, when she re-entered the US through the tunnel instead of through a Port of Entry. She is typical of the F.B.I. She's certainly not a victim.
She's absolutely a victim. Did you watch the movie? She didn't know they were taking her to Juarez. They told Kate they were headed to El Paso and then they used her status as an FBI agent. She was misled, used by the CIA, nearly strangled to death by a cartel associate, shot twice in the chest by Alejandro, and then forced at gunpoint to sign off on the whole operation. You are out of your mind (or maybe just a misogynist) if you seriously don't consider her a victim.
@@Jeremy252 Does she bear ANY responsibility? She volunteered after being cautioned by her supervisor. She was told that they were going to El Paso. They went to an airbase outside of El Paso. They didn't TAKE her to Juarez. From the dialog it sounded as if they didn't intend for her to accompany them. But, she wanted to go. Just before the ambush she was told to roll down her window. She didn't. She was told not to go into the bank. She went in anyway, trying to hijack the mission. THAT was the source of her being stalked and strangled by a cartel associate. She was shot twice by Alejandro because she again refused to follow instructions and then she pointed her gun at him.
She's a grownup. She should take responsibility for her actions. She's not a victim. She's a headstrong screwup. Dropping "misogynist" is kind of like dropping the race card, isn't it? You don't know me. Yet, you make derogatory remarks about me, simply because we disagree.
this is a good movie but i believe part 2 is way better.
I'm looking forward to watching the second one now.... -Toni 🤓
Tourist spots in Mexico are NOT dangerous. Just don't drive from big city to big city, it's the lil really poor cities in between that you gotta watch out for. I LOVE MEXICO
I agree. I remember years ago, my mom used to drive us around in mexico visiting family and she would always tell us to stay quiet but now..... I wouldn't dare drive from place to place without my brothers or cousins... 🤓 - Toni