El Chicano

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.

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 ...

El Chicano (2 out of 5 stars).

El Chicano is that latino type of superhero with a story that plays like every origin superhero movie. But taking the concept and setting in East Los Angeles with cartel. However, the plot is forgettable. It is about twin brothers that are opposite with the law; one is an officer and the other is the opposite. When one loses his partner. He swears he will get revenge and kill anyone responsible. He covers himself up, wears a mask, and rides a motorcycle. Breaking into clubs and fight with the bad guys. The story is flat out dull. Every character is one dimensional and forgettable.

The acting is terrible. Everyone in the movie is giving a tedious performance. Every actor is delivering the same performance like the others. The script is emotionless, shallow, and dull.

It does have some action and shoot out sequences. The direction is just boring with characters that are really hard to care for. The script is missing the emotional connections with the good guys.

Overall, El Chicano is not that good of a superhero film. It is just a shallow action film with no emotional connections with the characters. The story is flat out boring and forgettable. Do not forget the actors in the movie seem very bored with the movie.

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.

There are some good things here but the film drags for the first hour and once the action takes place, there isn't a lot and what there is seems a little style-ized like John Wick. Unfortunately there isn't much background to explain how the hero gets his abilities. And the villains aren't exactly formidable so that prevailing over them isn't a big deal.

That being said, the story was OK and I liked the Aztec references. It's a good idea and I hope they do the next one with a little more thought.

If you want a film with a more authentic feel, try "Avenge the Crows".