Get the Gringo

Mixed feelings. An average action flick that looks like made for TV with cool moments, wannabe cool moments, smart moments, dumb moments, thrilling moments and boring moments alternating at irregular intervals. Overall, it’s not bad, the last remaining fans of Mel Gibson (both of them) will be happy, but I’m surely not going back to it. (12/05/2012)

Mel Gibson manned up and prepared an unorthodox drama from the prison environment in Mexico for his fans. A lot of things are hard to believe, but on the other hand, the movie is really nice to watch. Mel is properly macho, although he can show his emotions pretty well, too. But his schizophrenic character didn’t stop me from enjoying this well-made American-style action movie like from the good old 1990s. I thought it was a great throwback, and I’d love to see Mel in many more movies like this one. (23/03/2014)

Good old Porter, albeit unacknowledged and named differently in the film itself, in a Mexican mode (even with a pinch of umbrella Eastwood style on top). A likable, uncompromising and straightforward old-school genre movie that doesn't reveal or innovate anything, but what it comes up with is just damn good and absolutely functional in every way; even as far as the relationship is concerned. (30/05/2012)

Mel Gibson has shown here not only that he's a good actor who can handle action roles at any age, but also that neo-noir films suit him. Additionally, he's not afraid to stand behind his projects as a producer and possibly as someone involved in the screenplay. There are good ideas and good execution of action scenes, so I am very satisfied with it. (14/08/2017)

"I was tortured by a Mariachi." Having given five stars to Payback, I can't give less to Get the Gringo. In fact, the film is equal to its older sibling in every way (and yes, even I claim that it is an unacknowledged sequel). Mel Gibson has simply returned to where I love him best, to those rough, straightforward waters in which he swims in unison, armed with equal measures of sarcasm and charm, and his actions in a simple but brilliantly contrived plot are a joy to behold. Just consider how many memorable moments Get the Gringo contains: The clowns, the bizarre prison, the top-notch shootout, "Clint Eastwood", the umbrella scene (which is probably the best in the whole film), the cornflake ending... It's just a really great piece of work. With perfect music and extremely confident debutant direction. (22/06/2012)