I generally agree with other reviews of this film in terms of weak writing and lugubrious direction. I am rating it higher primarily because it actually has real actors in the cast, hence you can watch it without having a gag-reflex. Also, the cinematography was better than average in this genre.

While there was nothing original in the plot structure, the moral ambiguity expressed through several key characters was somewhat refreshing...though, not fully resolved.

Sadly, the fine actor, Andy Garcia, is not properly exploited in this film. He comes across less than fully dimensional. The director went to a gold mine and barely got silver.

In the end, not a waste of the viewer's time, but more an appetizer than an entrée.

On the surface, this contemporary assault on corporate maleficence is enough to make its point. But the subject matter is a complicated affair that is lacking in this movie that feels rushed.

Messing about in third world countries and designing destinies built on precious resources and manipulating the environment is a heavy undertaking and the suffering of the population by these all too insensitive entities is a problem that is beginning to take shape and needs to be addressed.

It is attempted here as an action film with scruples and it does have its heart in the right place. But the very low budget and the glossy attempt to intertwine multi-national business interest and investigative journalism is a bit too much to maintain in this noble but shallow effort.

The name Actors are probably here for their moral support and do add a level of authenticity to the cause, but there just isn't enough depth pursued or motivations on either side to justify the broad concept that it is at hand here.

It plays like a short story or a magazine article. Enough to tantalize an interest in the matter but not enough to be at all convincing. It does open up the subject and allows some light if not insight into this very disturbing situation.

Though I'm quite familiar with the water wars, as they're called, in South America, I still wanted to see how the likes of Andy Garcia and Forest Whitaker would fair in this Canadian production. The director Damian Lee, who also co-wrote the script, is not a newcomer, but has yet to deliver a film I'd rate above five(out of 10); this one will rate a six from me, because I liked the subject matter and actors Garcia and Whitaker. I'll give Damian Lee credit for the overall results, delivers some action and covers all the basis, but it doesn't quite shine. Then again it did not have a big budget, I'm sure and was not marketed to a very wide audience.

The part where Morgan Swinton, played by Deborah Kara Unger, witnesses a suicide protest of a water war victim (lost his whole family) who blew his brain out a few feet from her should have startled me but didn't. That character is supposed to be so moved by what she saw that she turns against the company she and her brother control; the brother Bruce Swinton, played rather well by veteran actor Kim Coates, has to make cruel decisions and does. Those parts of the plot were not as convincing as I hoped they'd be.

Andy Garcia plays Jack Begosian, a retired CIA operative riddled with guilt; he satisfactorily depicts that and of course he's the hero. I did like the sub-plot dealing with his family, wife and son. Forest Whitaker and Eva Longoria had interesting roles but the action wife Mia Francis, played by Longoria seemed quite far fetched, given there wasn't much background explaining where she got her skills, just those of Whitaker's character Francisco Francis.

The evil police and military, partnered with the big corporation vs the poor peasants of Ecuador (the real events happened in Chile and Bolivia) are the part of the plot most believable because they are based on real events. I highly recommend you read about Water Wars and watch the documentaries Blue Gold and Flow to get an appreciation of the water wars that have occurred and that will again. If you're not into that sort of thing, a compromise may be this film, but try to get it on cable or Netflix or something if you can; it would be okay as well if your local DVD store (any left?) has it on special for rental at .99cents.