Synopsis:
David and Creeper are “tax collectors” for the crime lord Wizard, collecting his cut from the profits of local gangs’ illicit dealings. But when Wizard’s old rival returns to Los Angeles from Mexico, the business is upended, and David finds himself desperate to protect what matters more to him than anything else: his family.
Who doesn’t love a good gangster movie? A mixture of family, power, guns, and respect usually makes for an exciting ride. The Tax Collector is no different. It’s an intensely visceral look at street politics on steroids. Unlike gangster movies based on Italian and Sicilian crime families that get celebrated, The Tax Collector deals in the realm of street gangs while focusing on a Mexican crime family. In this story, it’s also a young man’s game, millennial mobbin’, if you will. The overarching themes are family, faith, and loyalty. The presentation of said themes are not delivered cleanly, but this is a dirty game. This is not a movie that is trying to be overly sophisticated by slowly trying to show all the inner workings of the organization, it’s not trying to impress you. It’s is a day in the life type of story with catastrophic happenings and the happenings come quicker than you think.
There are some truly vicious scenes that would make some super villains blush, but are seemingly par for the course in this kind of story. Even with all of its violence, there are some really good characters that stand on principles and are simply part of a lifestyle that they are born into and can’t escape. Subsequently, lending itself to the heaven versus hell concept that is prevalent throughout as a power struggle ensues. With it being a David Ayer film, there are some Training Day callbacks that I appreciated. Moreover, if you enjoyed Training Day, you will enjoy these characters as David is very much a mixture of Alonzo and Jake. There are only a few negatives that stood out for me. I think it should be longer so we can get some more depth into the friendship and loyalty between David and Creeper Not to mention, I wanted to see the tattoos that Shia got for his role. Also, I thought the climax was lacking a bit. For as much build up as there was for a showdown with the story’s antagonists because of all the vile things they did, the payoff, while gruesome, fell short for me. Nevertheless, with its great cinematography and score, I enjoyed The Tax Collector very much. Some may not understand but if you know, you know. The movie’s rewatchability is high.
Plot & Pace
The story follows David, a street “tax collector” as he, along with his right-hand man, Creeper begins their weekly collection process. As the week goes on, some gangs feel as if David isn’t worthy of the title he holds because he may not have earned it. A past adversary of his father named Conejo returns from Mexico and wants the job as well as the power that comes with it for himself. Now, not only is David in danger but so is everyone he cares about. I honestly don’t think the pace could be any better. Since the movie is more day in the life versus historical, the pacing is right where it needs to be, in the fast lane.
Characters & Chemistry
Okay, so I know what many people want to know, is Shia doing brownface. As far as I could tell, his character, Creeper is someone who is a product of his environment. There’s a difference between someone mimicking a culture and someone who grew up in it and is embraced by it. He’s playing a white guy (according to Ayer) who grew up around Latin gangs so naturally, he’s going talk the talk and walk the walk. I don’t think it was done in an offensive or over the top way. However, that’s not for me to decide. That being said, I thought he did great. His character is a stonecold killer who loves the ladies and is very health-conscious. David (Bobby Soto) is more complex than he initially lets on. He’s faith-driven, loving, and principled but he is not to be messed with. Conejo (Jose Conejo Martin) is ruthless, power-hungry, and just pure evil and so is his partner Gata (Cheyenne Rae Hernandez). It makes for some exciting and violent exchanges. Alexis (Cinthya Carmona) is the light of the movie and is in a world she does not belong in.
The Tax Collector will be available on VOD and digital on August 7th. Enjoy and stay safe.
Director: David Ayer
Writer: David Ayer
Rated: R
Runtime: 1h 35m
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
