I was underwhelmed by this documentary. I think it lacked a clear focus and a definitive message other than "cartels are dangerous". Two extralegal groups, one made of Americans in Arizona and one made of Mexicans in Michoacan, fight to limit the power of cartels in drug and human trafficking. They are self-funded and exist primarily because they believe that their respective governments are incompetent and corrupt in dealing with this matter. It does not go well.
On the one hand, I am always gladdened to see people standing up for what they believe. On the other, there is a reason we have historically stamped out mob justice. The leader of the Arizona Border Recon, Tim "Nailer" Foley, talks about how it's the Wild West around the border, with government patrols stretched too thin and hampered by too much bureaucracy to be effective. Dr. Jose Mireles of the Autodefensas sees his work more like the ultimate expression of patriotism, striking back for the common man. What both groups fail to realize is that they are not starring in The Magnificent Seven and these are not disparate groups of bandits but a highly organized, well-funded, ruthless assembly.
If showing the inherent futility of these efforts was the goal of this documentary, then I take back my statement about lacking a clear focus. Otherwise, I think this lost the plot about halfway through.
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