Organnall Too much about the plot just didn't add up, the writing was bad, some of the scenes were cringey and awkward,

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Doomtomylo a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

James Sievers My top five movies of all time are: Scarface, The Usual Suspects, Blood In Blood Out, The Shawshank Redemption, and Cutters. Just to give you some perspective on my taste. Anyway, that being said this movie is an all-time great. It has so many layers to it that most people wouldn't expect going in. It's way more than just a gangster movie. It has that raw, violent aspect, but also goes deep into each character's personal life and really connects you to the whole story. It's got everything you could want in a movie, drama, action, violence, deep characters and subplots, and it's so real. It would be believable if it was based on a true story. A classic for all ages. One of the best movies ever made that has never received the praise and acclaim it deserves.

siderite At first glance one feels this is a TV movie, starting with a sunny day somewhere in east LA and a guy coming in and greeting anyone in Spanish, with colorful Mexicans all over. You may think, based on the movie title as well, that it will be one of those gang action movies where the hero beats up everybody. It certainly starts that way, but the movie is not like that.After a while, when the plot expands a little more, you find that the white dude that comes to greet his "Chicano" friends is a halfbreed American Mexican who hates his white father and considers himself "brown on the inside". He is also on parole and only days until he gets to be 18 and be totally free. Then he makes a stupid move. Now you think it is going to be one of those prison movies, with the misguided youth and the corrupt system. Perhaps he is going to go to prison and beat up everybody. That ain't it, either.It takes maybe a little to see that the movie isn't even close to being over so you look to the length of the film. It's 3 hours long! The fact that it starts showing the year in which things happen gives the final clue: it is an epic story. The complexity of the characters hint at a book or something like that and, indeed, the story is written by poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, based on his personal experience. It's almost a biopic.And look at the cast! Damian Chapa is pretty known, but also Benjamin Bratt, Delroy Lindo, Victor Rivers (can't have a movie about Mexicans without Rivers - I really think he should have gotten more main roles), Billy Bob Thornton, Ving Rhames, Danny Trejo and even Jimmy Santiago Baca himself as "Gato", who I don't really remember.About the movie itself, its main strength is the characters. Each of the lead characters is being carefully sketched and then transformed by the story. The ending, most of all, explains the feelings and reality of the people involved. There were criticisms that the movie was overacted sometimes. Perhaps, but most of it was actually in character. Miklo is someone who is desperately, so desperately, trying to belong. Of course he overacts. His whole character is made up in his head.So, as a conclusion to this too long review: this is not a masterpiece, but it is a movie about the truth of people in those times, and it is well done. Truthful films are more and more scarce as the time goes by. If you find the time and mood to watch this white Mexican biopic, I don't think you will be disappointed.

mcotto8 For 3 years, my wife wanted me to watch this movie and i hesitated. It sounded like just another gang movie and i wasn't interested in watching another movie like that. Then when i was sick one day it came on cable and i decided to watch it. As soon as the first 1/2 hour passed, I was sorry I didn't watch it sooner. This movie was well done! A very good depiction of street and prison gangs..(the fact that some of the actors and crew either were involved in gangs or had done time in jail helped make some of the roles more believable).The saddest character in the movie is the main protagonist Miklo Velka. despite his mother being a brown-eyed, blk haired Mexican, his white father's features constantly make him an outsider in his own community and his willingness to do whatever it takes to be accepted by his own people ends up having disastrous consequences for all involved in his life in the 12 years that the film takes place.One other thing I saw in the movie that really surprised me is when Popeye tells Miklo that he cannot get mad at another Latino in jail because they were both from rival gangs. In prison, they have to unite if they want to survive. I saw that as a unity born out of need to protect themselves.If you are Latin, regardless of type (cuban, Puerto-Rican,Peruvian,Mexican etc) see this movie.

Charles P Knight A must see for anyone. beautiful story. very well told and amazingly directed.anyone into Latino movies. prison movies, dramas about the struggles of life should see this. its a underrated masterpiece, that never got the honor that it should have. a great cast and crew made one of the best movies of all time. anyone who watches this and doesn't laugh and cry. should have there head examined. if you haven't seen it rent it, hell even if you have seen it rent it again, and again... shoot buy it...no wait buy ten copies and give them as gifts, no no no 20 copies... yeah buy every copy you can get your hands on and share them with the world that's how good a movie this is... thank you for listening and have a chaotic day...