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Occasionally a good flick will make its way out of Mexico… ok, who am I kidding? Rarely, will a good film makes it way out of Mexico, but when it does, it usually comes as a breath of fresh air. La Zona is one of those films, a fascinating examination at just how far some people will go to maintain their status and their way of life. La Zona is a movie about class differences, corruption, and the greed that resides within all of us. In short, it’s a fascinating flick that you should run out and rent… or buy.

The Zone is a story of a sheltered community that is nestled in the heart of a bustling metropolis filled with the lower-class, crime, and general decrepitude. Within the walled off community everything is nice. The children wear uniforms, everyone is married, and everyone has a job. One day, a sign falls, providing a bridge into the zone. Three hoods climb over the fence and start stealing shit. Everything goes wrong and a couple of gunshots later, the entire community is shocked to its very core. Now they must find a lower-class criminal before the cops do, or face having everything they’ve worked for wiped away. It’s a killer thriller that is full of great moments, both philosophically and visually.

Rodrigo Pla’s film is a taut flick filled with rich characters and wonderful direction. Pla’s ability to play with what should be a standard narrative and turn it into something more should be applauded. The imagery is slick and Pla does a fantastic job of contrasting the poorer outside world with the sheltered rich fucks’ world. Even better, Pla’s film is a subtle examination of the nature of privilege, and the multiple character arcs that are carried out throughout the film are satisfying to say the least.

La Zona is an awesome movie, filled with great characters and a texture that gives the film plenty of room for thought. The issues that Pla tackles in the film almost feel like allegory, and the inherent social commentary within the film is great. It’s not deep or difficult to find; it’s simply handled in a raw manner that feels fresh. Like a donkey show in Mexico, the movie is definitely worth seeking out.

Final Synopsis: It’s a short review… but that’s because the movie is good. You should definitely check it out.

Points Lost: -1 for some pacing problems in the film’s middle

Lesson Learned: People in gated communities will fuck you up.

Burning Question: What’s with the fuckers in gated communities?

The Zone (La Zona)
9/10

Tags: 2007, alan chavez, carlos bardem, daniel tovar, foreign, foreign movie, foreign thriller, latest movie reviews, maribel verdu, mexican, mexican thriller, recent3, rodrigo pla, thriller