El Chicano

If you are an avid movie watcher and lover you will likely recognize a lot of faces in this (from the latin/hispanic american acting community especially). And there are some surprise short instances of people popping up. There is also a lot of violence in there ... and some buddy bromance to a degree.

Quite a few things that I did like (including the thriller/cop part) ... but it also feels like the movie is dragging at places. Also there is not the connection I'd wish we establish and nourish. But it is what it is, for a low budget movie, this is quite well made ...

Just happened to find this movie on a Saturday night film scrolling expedition. As an Inglewood, Cali boy myself I decided to watch because the cast included a few Hollywood heavy hitters like George Lopez, Emilio Rivera and Noel Gugliemi. More backstory on the story's hero could have been included, but I was entertained by this East Los superhero story. Our brown brothers and sisters need more of these.

Best by far recent crime and cops movie... better than DETROIT, likely best since END of WATCH !!! Wow, this just plows right on without missing a beat. Fantastic cast presents as realistic a cops/crime movie as I can recall. Highly recommended, convincing and a moving film with an expressive and impressive cast all around !!! I can hardly wait to add the dvd to my collection, as I am sorely tempted to see it again after only two days.

I'm no Roger Ebert, but the first thing your hit with from the opening scene, is WOW these are real Latinos, playing themselves in this movie. the list of "Paddy's', playing Mexicans in films is as long as your arm Marlon Brando, Paul Newman, Paul Muni.the other thing that makes this movie different is the way the present the East LA Latinos culture, graffiti and all. I know some people got excited last year about "Crazy Rich Asians", but that movie plot has been making the rounds in Hollywood for decades, the just inserted Asians to update the movie. this movie takes you much deeper in a real culture, a culture we need to understand if we are ever to get along.

Was hoping this would be a surprise hit but it was pretty lacking. Takes way to long before it kicks into gear since most of the major events/details are done previously in the background. So the audience is always playing catch-up blind. But when the action comes it is nicely violent and gory. Then the movie is over just as quickly.

I didn't particular care for the story, which involves rival gangs, the cartel, and the mystery of the lead's twin brother's death (not a spoiler, it is established very early on and this site's synopsis isn't exactly comprehensive). The movie opens with them as kids one night, then jumps forward in time 20 years. Unfortunately, we see nothing of them growing up so you don't get a good grasp of the relationship drama that the film wants to portray. Some of it felt overly convoluted/confusing, other times like basic scene padding.

But on the other hand, this is a decent origin story so if there's ever a sequel then they should be able to skip all this fluff and really knock it out.