Taking a heavy dose of inspiration from 1970's exploitation pictures and infusing it with modern martial arts movie making techniques, the Chilean release Mandrill doesn't offer up anything deep or meaningful to the audience, but if you're the sort of chap that likes seeing lots of people getting beaten up in creative ways, this is a film that will be right up your alley.

Rising martial arts star Marko Zaror reunites with the writer and director of Mirageman, Ernesto D�az Espinoza, in this tale of the eponymous title character, a hitman who is as deadly to his targets as inviting as he is to the ladies. But Mandrill wasn't always this way. It was only through the teaching from his uncle Chone (Alejandro Castillo) that Mandrill became a love machine. Mandrill's skills are put to the ultimate test when he falls for Dominik (Celine Reymond), the comely daughter of one of his bounties.

Mandrill starts out with a bang and rarely lets off from there. That's not to say that things like story and characterization are totally put to the side, but for the most part, this is lean and mean film-making at its' finest. Marko Zaror, who also handled the action direction, thankfully shies away from the crutches employed by many action films, such as overly close cinematography and editing fit for a ADHD addled child hopped up on a bowl of Sugar Smacks. In fact, at many points, Zaror is confident enough on the action that the camera is still and the only sound the audience hears are the blows thrown at each other by the combatants.

In the grand scheme of things, no one is going to mistake Mandrill for a grand cinematic experience for the ages. But it knows what it is setting out to do, and it it accomplishes its' mission. Sometimes, you just need a fun movie to watch. It doesn't have to be anything mind-blowing, just provide a solid ninety minutes of entertainment. Simply put, if you're into martial arts movies, then Mandrill is a release that's well worth your time.

RATING: 7