Santo: Infraterrestre

And now, as the Pythons used to say, for something completely different! If Moulin Rouge and Chicago could revive the Hollywood musical, why can't this sci-fi wrestling thriller revitalize the legend of Mexican cinema superhero Santo, the Man in the Silver Mask? The original Santo was indeed a real masked wrestler who began his film career in the 1950s, portraying a body-slamming crime fighter. Infraterrestre comes touted as the first new Santo film in decades, and if they were all this bizarre, it's no wonder he enjoys a fervent following among aficionados of incredibly strange films. In this one, extraterrestrials who have been living underground for hundreds of years are now resurfacing and kidnapping unsuspecting citizens; clearly, this is a job for Santo, who…um…gets around in a flying car. The cheesy special effects, wooden acting, and amateurish direction make this impossible to rationally recommend, but it is not without its surreal charms. [Note: Santo: The Monsters Box Set 1, a four-disc compilation of titles from the original campy Mexican cinema series, is also available for $44.99, and includes Santo & Blue Demon vs. Dr. Frankenstein, Santo & Blue Demon vs. Dracula & the Wolfman, Santo vs. Frankenstein's Daughter and the never-before-released title Santo: The Vengeance of the Mummy.] Very optional. [Note: DVD extras (notably minus English subtitles) include three deleted scenes, and several featurettes: on outtakes, premiere footage, the making of the film and special effects, a director interview, a “Best of El Santo” promo, and a wrestling match between Santo and the Blue Demon. Bottom line: a halfway decent extras package for Spanish-speaking fans; somewhat less so for English-speaking viewers.] (K. Lee Benson)