Aztec Rex
release year: 2007
genre: dinosaur action/drama
viewing setting: home streaming 8/11/26
synopsis: In the year 1521, Spanish explorers find a new land full of primitive-appearing people and lots of gold...and dinosaurs.
impressions: This movie played it straight and was actually not cheesy at all. The idea is that Hernan Cortez (who eventually became famous for conquering the Aztec Empire and plundering its riches) had an earlier adventure that no one ever knew about. Him and six of his soldiers encounter some natives and have to deal with their hostility, their tendency to sacrifice living people, and of course the pair of Tyrannosaurus Rexes that also roam the area. Some things you will find in this movie include: a human sacrifice...plenty of blood and gore...the Spaniards generally being overconfident assholes...an old Spanish priest who's been trapped there and become accepted by the native tribe...multiple scantily-clad female natives...questioning of authority and a duel...a cannonball bouncing off of one dinosaur...a good pit trap...treachery, multiple times by multiple people...unexpected booty time in the damndest of places/situations...the asshole finally becomes useful, although not in the way he planned...an improvised bomb...linkages to actual historical events...a happy ending for some.
body count: 7 by dinosaurs, 1 by sacrifice, 2 by battle - plus one horse and zero goats (the goat escaped its intended role as bait and ran away in time)
acting: Marco Sanchez does a great job as Rios, one of the only decent guys in the band of explorers and the one who evolves into the protagonist. William Snow is also good as his friend and fellow nice guy Mendoza. Dichen Lachman turns in a strong role as Ayacoatl, fiesty daughter of the tribe's chieftain who eventually falls for Rios. George Allen Gumapac does well as that chieftain, who tries to listen to all of his advisors and make the best decisions. Now on to the assholes. Kalani Queypo is the headstrong young tribal shaman who also turns out to be a scheming, jealous, cowardly jackass. Ian Ziering (plus a long dark wig) is super serious as Cortes, who isn't the greatest leader and who breaks his word when convenient. James Locke stands out as the traitorous soldier who constantly does whatever is best for him at that moment. Jack McGee is the old priest who just wants to escape the land and get back to Spain.
final word: This is one of the better SyFy Channel movies they've ever made, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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