Saving Private Pérez (Salvando al Soldado Pérez)

What do you want?

Ma...

You aren't my son.

You haven't been my son for a long time.

Why are you here, Ma?

You don't deserve this.

l'd rather rot in here than live among real rats.

And my brother?

Where's Juan?

-They can't find him. -What?

They don't know anything.

They won't tell me anything.

Why did he become a soldier? Why did you let him go, Ma?

How long has he been missing, Ma?

Everybody says you're the most powerful man in Mexico.

They say you're unstoppable.

lf that's true,

and if you want my forgiveness,

there's only one thing you can do,

Julian Perez.

Anything, just ask.

Bring my Juan back.

Alive.

SAVlNG PRlVATE PEREZ

Well,

first of all,

where the hell is lraq?

Julian, gentlemen...

lraq, its neighboring countries Kuwait, Turkey,

Saudi Arabia and lran.

Russia and Afghanistan are up north.

Even before the Gulf War, lraq was considered one

of the most dangerous areas in the world.

Eladio, get to the point, man.

Forget the history lesson, and let's get down to business.

This is the area where Private Juan Perez was last seen.

His squad was hit by a car bomb, occurring

at 1500 hrs on May 1 2th, 2003.

The American Army has classified Private Perez

as missing in action.

Okay.

Here's the deal.

l'm gonna need you to assemble a small team of men

to get me in and out of there quickly and safely.

l don't care who they are or how you find them.

l want those names by tomorrow.

Julian...

With all due respect, what you're planning is suicide.

Diving into a war when we have one going on here, at home.

Benito Garcia is teaming up with the guys from the South to attack us.

Plus, there's the DEA and FBl to consider.

lt's the worst possible time to try something like this,

assuming your brother is still alive.

Juan is alive, Eladio.

He has to be.

l must bring him back.

l can't ignore my duty to my family,

to my mom.

Arrange a meeting with Benito Garcia to buy us some time.

l need you to take care of my family.

What else?

Tell me!

We found a bomb under your car today.

Thankfully, we found it before your son got in.

-Didn't you have dinner? -Yeah, but l got hungry again.

How was your game?

Remember, it's not only about swinging hard,

but guessing what the pitcher is thinking.

Did you shower?

Did you pray for Mommy?

-Yes. -Good.

Are you taking me to school tomorrow?

No.

You're gonna stay here for a couple days.

A tutor will come to teach you.

-l'll be away for a few days. -Where are you going?

l'm taking a trip.

But l'm bringing back a surprise for you.

What is it?

You won't even believe it.

Promise me you'll be safe.

-When l'm not home... -l'm the man of the house.

That's it.

Look me in the eye.

No one knows this business as well as l do.

l paid a lot for your loyalty.

You know that l take care of my people.

l protect them from any threat.

And you endangered my son!

Don Julian!

l'd never hurt your son. l...

l swear, l...

There's only one thing l'll do for you.

l'll make it quick.

l have a message from Don Artemio:

Sincere condolences.

He wants you to know we'll take care of the funeral.

For you and your kids.

My husband is dead because of that dirty money.

Listen, lady,

if you want to see your husband so badly,

we'll gladly send you and your boys to heaven with him.

Julian!

Julian!

Everyone knows Antonio ''The Cannibal'' Hernandez,

one of our most loyal man.

Good choice, but no.

He's too hot-headed.

He can't keep his cool when needed.

This mission isn't for him.

Next.

We all remember Chema Diaz.

He is not a youngster anymore,

but he's an experienced fighter.

He was in Vietnam and the cartel wars.

Chema's health is in excellent condition,

and he's the best strategist we had.

He's retired and he lives in his manor in Beverly Hills.

Here's a snack for the road, Daddy.

Why would they bother you this late at night?

l'll only be gone a few days.

l need some fresh air, don't you think?

l can't say no.

lt's a matter of honor.

Something good.

You'll be proud of me.

l don't need you to do anything.

l'm not asking you to save the world.

Not bad.

Not bad.

-Who else? -Rosalio Mendoza.

A top student from the Air Force Academy

and responsible for most of the Colombia-Cancun deliveries.

There's no radar that can detect him.

He's a trustworthy man, and a very important link

between the USA and our organization.

Cheers!

Where are your manners, man?

You trying to ruin my goddaughter's party?

Tell me who sent you or l'll kill you where you stand.

Very good.

Very good.

Not bad.

Next.

Our next man is held at Las Animas Maximum Security Facility.

He's facing trial for several murders.

Juventino ''Pumita'' Rodriguez will be extradited...

Eladio, l'm not in the mood for jokes!

That guy's killed more people, but he almost killed me too!

l still have a bullet in my ass!

Plus, he's with Benito Garcia! l only want to see that guy dead.

Actually, we sent a hit squad, but he managed to escape.

Julian, even if he's from the enemy cartel,

he has all the skills required for this mission.

He's cold-blooded, has military training,

he can improvise and has a deadly aim.

l was gonna die anyway.

But l'd rather you kill me than the gringos.

You're already dead, Pumita.

You're dead to your people

and dead to the Americans.

You're a breathing corpse.

But Julian Perez has an offer for you.

An offer of life.

When they said you'd be heading to the big leagues,

they weren't exaggerating.

We need your skills in a very special place.

You do?

Where?

lraq.

They say no man lasts till the end.

That the pain kills them before the poison does.

lf l give you this antidote in less than 60 seconds,

there might be hope for you.

Look, Pumita,

this is like a game show.

And you get to choose one of two prizes.

You can either visit the wonders of the Middle East,

or we'll see if you can fly.

Fine.

We'll see what we can do.

Even with Pumita,

we need one more man.

I know where to find him.

l see you're as feisty as ever, Carmelo.

No.

l've changed.

But you've always known how to bring out the worst in people.

l heard about Amelia.

l'm sorry.

Cancer.

lt's been almost four years.

Carmelo,

l need your help.

lt's not what you think.

Nothing good comes from you.

You're still my best friend.

We aren't those kids anymore.

Pain has torn us apart.

This is my land.