Watch El Santos vs. La Tetona Mendoza

"El Santos vs. La Tetona Mendoza" is a vibrant and raucous animated comedy that dives into the world of Mexican lucha libre with a fantastical and irreverent twist. This cinematic romp blends the thrill of wrestling, the zaniness of super-heroics, and the quirkiness of Mexican folklore and pop culture into a rollicking adventure that transcends the borders of ordinary animation.

At the heart of the story is the titular character, El Santos, voiced by the versatile actor Daniel Giménez Cacho. El Santos is a washed-up luchador, whose glory days inside the wrestling ring seem to be a distant memory. However, the hero's journey takes an unusual turn when he finds himself embroiled in an improbable battle against his ex-wife, the buxom and formidable La Tetona Mendoza, portrayed by Regina Orozco. Her strong-willed and fiery personality is as big as her name suggests, and she is not a force to be taken lightly inside or outside the arena.

Joining this bizarre family feud is a colorful cast of characters voiced by prominent actors, including José María Yazpik and Héctor Jiménez, both of whom bring a distinct flavor to the eccentric personalities that populate the film's universe. From masked wrestlers to cheeky sidekicks, supernatural beings, and ambitious villains, each character adds layers of humor and complexity to the unfolding events.

The inclusion of Guillermo del Toro, an icon of Mexican cinema and a maestro of the fantastic genre, lends the movie an extra layer of credibility and intrigue. His rich voice adds gravitas to the film, which is peppered with homages to the dark and fantastical themes one would associate with del Toro's directorial work. Demian Bichir and Cheech Marin also contribute their voices to the tapestry, serving up their seasoned skills to enhance the story's playfulness and cultural authenticity.

Dolores Heredia’s soulful and charismatic voice rounds out the main cast, infusing the narrative with a sense of passion and heart that resonates throughout the film.

"El Santos vs. La Tetona Mendoza" doesn't solely depend on the strengths of its all-star voice cast, though. The film explodes with an animation style that is both unique and distinctly Mexican, fusing traditional aesthetics with a modern twist. The vibrant colors, exaggerated designs, and chaotic action sequences are reminiscent of Mexican comic strips, particularly the work of Trino Camacho and José Ignacio Solórzano, known as JIS, from which the characters and story are adapted. The film is a visual homage to this subversive and entertaining art form that has captivated audiences for generations.

Directed with a dynamic energy, the movie sets a fast pace that mirrors the frenetic movement of lucha libre itself. Quick cuts, dynamic camera angles, and energetic music score each scene, emphasizing the comedic and action-packed nature of this animated feast. The director knows when to let the story breathe, interspersing moments of personal drama and romance amidst the wackiness, ensuring that the audience is invested in more than just the laughs.

The humor in "El Santos vs. La Tetona Mendoza" is a mix of slapstick, satire, and cultural references, providing layers that can be enjoyed by audiences of different ages and backgrounds. The film doesn't shy away from adult themes, often playing for mature laughs, but it is done in such a way that is typically light-hearted and playfully subversive.

Moreover, the movie is not just a random collection of gags and fights; it weaves a narrative that touches on themes of love, identity, and belonging, all seen through the lens of Mexican culture and its colorful expressions. Its exploration of the post-heroic life of El Santos gives depth to what could have been a one-dimensional character, offering commentaries on fame, legacy, and personal growth in refreshingly unorthodox ways.

"El Santos vs. La Tetona Mendoza" stands out for its daring to combine elements rarely mixed together in animation, producing a work that is as much a homage to the tradition of lucha libre and Mexican culture as it is a piece of cinematic amusement. It's a riotous journey that invites audiences to suspend disbelief, embrace the absurd, and revel in a world where the stakes are high, the characters are larger than life, and the battle between El Santos and La Tetona Mendoza is anything but ordinary.

El Santos vs. La Tetona Mendoza is a 2012 animated movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes.