Father Geek here... Diesel's DIABLO has been seen and this viewer likes what he saw... Careful there could be SPOILERS ahead...
I often read your site, and wanted to give something back from getting so much from your site. Last week I was invited to a screening of Diablo, an incredible film starring Vin Diesel. At first, I heard the name Diablo and asked "What is this about, who is in it?" First I heard Vin Diesel (which sparked my interest already) and then was told the movie is similar to xXx (of course I quickily replied by saying "I'll be there!"). Before the movie started, we were all told some details about the film itself. Apparently, Diablo (which has undergone several name changs, and may incur another from a pending lawsuit) was actually completed in early 2002, slated for a late 2002 release, but was pushed back until March 7, 2003. Enough of all my hub-bub, on to my review (warning: spoilers ahead).
Our movie starts off in Mexico, at the center of an elaborate drug-dealers gala, taking place in what appears to be a strip club. Men and little boys will not at all be disappointed with this film, within the first five minutes there are one of many elaborate strip scenes that many of us will enjoy. Vin Diesel plays Sean Vetter, a police officer that assigned to a special tasks force whose job it is to stop this drug business. Normally, the United States would have no juristiction in Mexico, however dealers of this drug-ring are operating out of the United States, so apparently Mexican and United States police teams are working together to foil the criminals. Vetter and his best-friend/partner, Demetrius Hicks, (played by Larenz Tate) end up capturing the leader of this evil drug-ring, Guillermo "Memo" Lucero (played by Geno Silva) and set him up for a life-time in prison.
Vetter returns home, spends time with his wife Stacy, and has a few celebrations before a tragedy occurs. While sleeping one night, a mysterious gang breaks in to Vetter's house, ends up killing his wife, and sends Vetter himself into a deep coma. He wakes up nearly two months later, where we find out that the elaborate drug-gang Vetter and Hicks once shut down is back up and running. How can this be? Well, they go to visit good old Memo, who is rotting away in jail, who informs them to go find a man everyone calls Hollywood Jack Slayton. (I'm skipping some minor parts where we hear Diesel talking some polotics and such). To continue, Vetter finds this Hollywood Jack Slayton (this ends up leading to another strip/nude scene) and finds out that a man named Diablo is the one who has taken over all of the drug critel in Mexico. Vetter is determined to find this Diablo, as he is looking for a sense is closure about the killing of his wife. Of course, he is also doing his job to find the leader of this drug-ring, and dispose of him to prevent the dealing of illegal drugs.
After meeting with Memo a few more times, Vetter goes undercover as a supposed buyer of the drugs (of course the business takes place in another nude/strip club), and ends up hitting a slight bump in the road. It turns out that the man Vetter is buying the drugs from, is the one who killed his wife. This scene was one of my favorites, as it has some elaborate car chases, explosions, gun fighting, fist fighting, and some comedy mixed in just for fun.
Vetter ends up getting fired for having his cover blown, and bringing the United States into an international affair. Of course, he stills goes to find this Diablo, and brings along his partner, Hicks, as well as an overweight gang memeber known as Sexy (that's his name, lol).
I've simplified this review, as I didn't want to go into too deep detail, you need to see the movie for yourselves! It really was a great movie, a wonderful mix of politics, action, sexuality, and just great comedy. None of the jokes were corny, they really are good fun comedy. I highly doubt that this movie is going to get a PG-13, as a lot of cursing and nuditity is what makes this movie great! It reminded me of xXx, but more adult oriented. Hell, still a durn good movie, definitely worth it! -B
