The Eclectic Choice: Matando Cabos

Matando Cabos (2004)
dir. Alejandro Lozano


Not a great movie, but it has it's moments. Inspired by independent American films from people like Tarantino and Jarmusch, Matando Cabos (Killing Cabos) weaves together several storylines about love, kidnapping, revenge, an extasy popping Lucha Libre and a cannibal midget into what should be a high octane roller coaster ride through two days in Mexico City. Instead it's more like one of those roller coaster simulators you ride on the Santa Monica pier, but like I said, that's not exactly a bad thing.

The entire story is rooted around Oscar Cabos, a real scumbag executive who spends most of the movie knocked out and tied up. He passes from trunk to trunk and identities are mistaken as his old friend/enemy is also kidnapped and abused more than Cabos. The character palate continues to expand until it's all around chaos that finds a way to wrap itself up by the end.

Most of the time you get the feeling it's a poorly made Guy Ritchie movie, but lacks any of the kinetic style, so several of the moments that should be gripping or feel like a fever dream just lay flat on the floor. Over all though, it is an interesting exercise and has enough imagination to keep you watching. It's a good example of why these types of films work in some hands and don't in others.

Give it a rent, but probably not worth owning, Matando Cabos shows there is a lot more going on in Mexican cinema than we might perceive and it's worth keeping an eye on.