Rating summary

Movie		1.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		2.5

Desierto Blu-ray Movie Review

A movie as barren as the desert.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman February 4, 2017

Of all of the hot-button topics enflaming the world today, none is more scorching than the debate over immigration. Whether immigrants from war-torn Middle Eastern nations or those illegally crossing the U.S. border, words like "vetting" and "terrorist" and "humanity" and "drugs" and "wall" and "deportation" and "economy" are at the center of it all. It's a debate that's impossible to be dispassionate about one way or the other, and it's created a sharp divide between Americans and, on a much larger scale, the world. Director Jonás Cuarón's Desierto follows a group of illegal immigrants under fire and hunted by an American because...the movie never really says why. He's mad, apparently. Has he snapped? Is this something he's done before? What's his underlying motivation? The movie never explores these questions to satisfaction. It's essentially Hard Target repurposed to fit into a firestorm political issue and with no sense of dramatic place or thematic purpose.

There's really not much of a story. A truck full of illegal immigrants are on their way to the United States by way of Mexico. En route, the truck carrying them breaks down, leaving them no choice but to walk the rest of the way. After they've successfully crossed but are still far away from civilization, they come under fire from an American named Sam (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) who kills many of them in a cluster and, with the help of his loyal dog, tracks down the remaining few through the course of the movie. Amongst the on-the-run survivors is Moises (Gael García Bernal).

Sadly, that's really about it. There's zero depth, no characterization. The movie is simply about the hunt with no distinguishable purpose or motivation behind it. Midway through the film, Sam and his dog are camping for the night. He's drinking, talking to himself about how he can't take it anymore. But why? In a movie like this, as politically charged as it is, released right before an election when illegal immigration was driving so many to the polls on both sides, for as brutal as it is, there has to be a reason. Even Jason Voorhees has a reason. But not Sam. He's not depicted as completely crazy. He has his wits about him, anyway. He's a sharpshooter, a proficient tracker, he has trained his dog perfectly to fit his needs, and beyond senseless murder he shows no signs of mental instability. A movie like this simply cannot just depict murder for murder's sake with the only "reason" being that he's tired of something, supposedly the wave of illegals coming into his country. Maybe his wife was murdered by an illegal immigrant. Who knows. The movie doesn't need to make his actions sympathetic -- nothing could accomplish that, and nor should it try, because they're reprehensible no matter the "why" -- but it needs to give him some motivation. Instead, this is just a provocative, nonsensical film that serves only to fan the flames of hate on both sides, to give the few crazies on one side a "hero" to cheer for and the crazies on the other more "ammunition" to prove how evil everyone who disagrees with them actually is. Fortunately...hopefully...most of the level-headed people in the middle, no matter their opinion on the subject, will see the film for what it is: a nothing of a movie.

Desierto is at least well made, not that it matters when the movie gives the audience no real reason to care. Jonás Cuarón, who co-wrote the film, may not understand the basics of characterization -- even the immigrant characters are just bodies meant to be Sam's target practice, even the "face" of the group played by Gael García Bernal -- but he understands cinematic composition, knows a great shot when he sees it, and uses the arid, empty terrain to its fullest advantage. Make the movie less a political missile and more a mindless DTV action sort in the spirit of the aforementioned Hard Target and it might have fared a little better, still vacuous to a startling extent but the removal of the underlying political hot potato would have made it a bit more palatable.

Desierto Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Desierto's 1080p transfer, sourced from a digital shoot, fares well all-around. It comes up a little short in a few areas, but never does it truly disappoint. Textures are occasionally not as complex as one might prefer. The opening sunrise shows heavy banding across the sky and the arid badlands seen early in the film lack the sort of textural grit and intimacy they deserve, pushing a little flat. Terrain finds greater definition and stability as the picture moves along, however, as the flats give way to desert plant life, larger rocks, and more uneven lands. Facial details are impressive, including hair and pores, and clothes show plenty of accumulated sweat stains and dust. Sam's truck reveals plenty of impressive textural wear on its body. Colors are fairly drab. The movie is predominantly earthy, but shades of natural green, assorted colors of clothes, and red blood are well saturated. Nighttime blacks are appropriately deep. Flesh tones appear accurate. Source noise is minimal. Overall, this is a good 1080p transfer from Universal.

Desierto Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Desierto's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack presents the film's vast, wide-open terrain very well. The sense of breezy emptiness is conveyed through the stage with a believable sense of space and place. Shouts and gunshots reverberate through it. Gunfire cracks and zips with startling accuracy, which would give added weight and terror to the movie if it had any distinguishing reason for the listener to care and become engaged in the narrative. Music is well spaced and supports a positive low end. Sam's truck rattles across the rough terrain with authentic presence and shake. The track has some great moments that make use of big and detailed elements contrasted against the vast, open Arizona desert spaces. It's definitely a good listen.

Desierto Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Desierto contains one supplement, an audio commentary with Director/Co-Writer/Producer Jonás Cuarón. At one of the film's rare opportunities to give purpose to the killer character, the director can't say anything more than the scene exposes the character's human side and drinking problem. Unfortunately neither are fleshed out enough to matter. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are also included with purchase.

Desierto Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Desierto accomplishes nothing of value either cinematically or within the debate on illegal immigration. Even the staunchest anti-immigration, build-the-wall, send-them-all-packing type would find this man's actions deplorable, to use another one of the buzzwords-of-the-times. Even if the movie's purpose is to depict a crazy man murdering people, give him a reason or set it against something a little less politically charged. Video and audio are fine and the Blu-ray's sole extra is a filmmaker commentary. Skip it.