Perico ripiao (2003) User Reviews

Great movie!

[miguel_marques · 7/10 · 18 February 2005]

I had so much fun watching this movie, I agree is far better than one expects. I am Spanish but lived in DR for a year and a half, even though I am familiar with Dominicans and Dominican slang I don't agree that this movie can only be enjoyed by Dominicans... A Spaniard or, specially, any other Latino can easily follow the thread and maybe he won't understand 100% but the expressions you can figure out even if you've never heard it before!

Filming is not the best ever, but technical problems are compensated with a hilarious acting and a hectic action. They should have watched out better for details, the DHL bag that the girl in the bus carries doesn't look from the 70s...

Great good luck for Múñiz!

Better than I expected.

[Tyler-Durden · 7/10 · 1 January 2004]

After reading a couple of reviews in the newspapers, I just had to give "Perico Ripiao" a chance, and surprisingly enough I found it to be amusing, not the piece of crap I was expecting.

I'm not even gonna bother commenting on it's plot, it's direction, the acting ability of the main cast, etc. I've read a few people say "they acted nicely, blah blah...", but to tell you the truth, with this kind of film, you don't need good acting to make it work. Maybe a cleverly written script, but that's all.

"Perico Ripiao" only worked 'cause it's filled with jokes based on absurd situations that sometimes actually happen in real life, at least in here, Dominican Republic. Being such a small country, everyone will feel identified with at least one of the characters, even if it's just for a single moment of the film. The popular phrases and expressions make it quite fun for us to watch, as we never see them in another movie, as you might have guessed.

Still, "Perico Ripiao" has one main problem, which other dominican films have had: it would only work for dominican audiences. This film will never be internationally known... And even if someone tried to make it famous outside our boarders, the people would just not understand the film. Sure, they'd get the idea of the plot... but they would definitely not feel/understand the things only we dominicans do.

All of this only drives me to one main question... When will a dominican filmmaker attempt to make a film that doesn't rely so much on our language/jokes/culture ? Something that could be watched/understood by someone in any side of the world, something they could watch and feel the same way we do. I hope that day isn't too distant..

Dominican

[alexsandergomez · 8/10 · 3 June 2018]

Funny as hell only for the Spanish an people can understand there lango

It was excellent, in my opinion

[pitipua · 9/10 · 16 January 2005]

Perico Ripiao is one of those movies that transports you to a particular place and time while asserting its common humanity. I disagree with those who say that you have to be Dominican to understand the movie. I am a Puertorrican, some Americans watched it with me, and we all identified with several characters and situations, all while laughing our behinds off. As this movie brings up issues that we see in PR too, I throughly enjoyed the "Caribbeanness" of the piece, the common disrespect to the authority of the State, or just rules in general; the resistance against oppression, the absurdity of it all. Nothing is sacred. The movie makes meaningful comments about almost every segment of Dominican society, and while poking fun at them, uncovers some unsavory truths that resonate with many of us and gets us thinking: why does State and police power invariably corrupts? What kind of solutions are needed? How can religion be used to blind yourself to the reality around you? How is our identity as Caribbean people expressed despite so-called "globalization"? You will see far more than meets the surface of humor and profanity if you pay attention. I heartily recommend this movie to anyone interested in getting to know the Caribbean reality up close and personal--and if you want to laugh your ass off. PS> Don't miss the special features! They're long but hysterical!

One of the best movies ever...

[princessyahmeela · 10/10 · 21 May 2004]

This movie is not just extremely hilarious, but it has all of the drama and the emotional twists and turns of a real life drama that occurs to people living under a repressive regime and still trying to live.

And of course the fact that the actors were all able to act so natural and engage in typical conversations the way the people of Quisqueya speak makes this movie so realistic. And at the same time we can see as viewers, the terrible situation of this island being split into two, the corruption that goes on and how people are affected by all of this.

What I love the most is that this is the first movie I have ever seen from this island, and it relates so much to the people, and it seems that all or most of the actors are natives of the island, which helps encourage the acting careers of the people of Quisqueya (of both sides of the borders).

I also loved the Chinese man in the mob of slave Haitians. You'll enjoy it too.

The formula works great

[benzant · 23 November 2003]

The story take place in the middle of 1978 and it's about three men running away after escaping from prison in a sudden lucky-casual moment, getting involve in a lot of really hilarious situations along the way.

Based on a strong script, cleverly plotted, the screenplay flows in a dynamic fashion, compound with a kind of original cinematography style. Though we can not qualify it as a master piece, we consider it perfectly works to tell the whole story and make sense.

Music plays a fundamental role (The words Perico Ripiao are used to define a country music genre in Dominican Republic) as the main characters represents musicians. Joined by a rhythmic edit tempo and a high photography level that takes advantages of exotic caribbean locations, not falling into the 'cliché' of `see how many beaches, sand and coconuts we got'.

After watching the previous two Angel Muniz's movies (Director) Nueba Yol and Nueba Yol III, it make justice to sentence that Perico Ripiao it surpasses his previous works showing great improvements in techniques and personal growth. The same commentary apply for the whole Dominican Republic still swaying film industry.

If you are Dominican you'll spent one hour and a half laughing to death thanks to well structured dialogues and gags spreading non-stop all over the film and a social ironic criticize inserted with skill by the director, sometimes in a subliminal way and more directly some other times.

If you are from another latin country you will really enjoy with movie too cause to its noticeable regionalism it doesn't opaque in any way the universally language that beneath it, neither spontaneous acting of his characters.

What if you are not latin or have not spanish knowledge? Then you will face a language and cultural barrier difficult to climb just using subtitles but if you like pure good films, well treated and spiced with caribbean elements (by the way: no sex, nor violence) you sure going to have a pleasant surprise and a good example of art and skillful techniques.

Highest peaks: Suitable direction, a more than decent photography, natural to great acting performances, good basic edits and general posting.

Weakest points lay on musical mix in relations to dialogues, some supporting acting low development and lack of a story twist at the end (very personal appreciation).

No doubt the formula works for any market. So, no matter where you from if you decide to watch this movie you can be sure your time ain't wasted.

its to bad it wasn't released in USA

[camuypr1 · 10/10 · 29 March 2005]

this movie would win an award for best foreign comedy. it has a comic view on real life events, its to bad that it wasn't released in the united states it would be a refreshing comedy compared to all the repeated movies with different actors being released today. if there's somebody out there that reads this comment please do everybody a favor and get this movie re-released here in the USA so we could have a side splitted USA! its that funny! the good thing about this movie is that subtitles wont stop it from being so funny. the makers of this film are great at what they do they have there own comedy show in the Dominican rep. and are talented stand up comics that appear in NY comedy show all the time,so I'm told by my Dominican girl friend, i live in Detroit.Rene in Detroit

A good effort... but nonetheless mediocre.

[24fps440Hz · 5/10 · 7 January 2004]

I've been postponing mi viewing of Perico Ripiao since its premiere. That was until tonight.

I wasn't expecting anything fancy and that's exactly what I received: A less than good piece of cinema with some funny moments now and then.

The movie begins with a truck full of soldiers escorting some prisoners to god knows where. Suddenly the bus comes to a halt and the driver (by the way, one pretty annoying character) has to fix it. Having fixed the bus they needed someone to push it for it to start. Who do they get to push the bus? None other than the prisoners. When the bus starts it drives away without the prisoners and they barely escape only to be caught again when the soldiers realize they left the criminals behind. And all this happen in the first 10 minutes of the movie.

What can I say? The script is so badly written that I saw myself hitting the edge of my seat in disbelief every now and then. The plot has a lot of holes in it. Sometimes there's just no explanation for a given scene, it just sits there. Introducing new characters only to dispose of them five minutes later. And the movie is void of a proper ending.

The acting is somewhat balanced. I think Manolo Ozuna does a great job.

The direction of photography is very good. The night scenes are very well rendered.

The music is also very good. Only complaint is the lack of coherence in the musical sequences between the instruments you see on screen and the ones you actually hear. Where's the bass guitar? Perhaps it annoys me most because I'm a musician. But it annoyed me nevertheless.

All this aside, I think Perico Ripiao is a very good effort. Angel Muñiz did an admirable job making a film in a country where films are null. It was great team work, considering the conditions they were working on. I just hope Dominican cinema to grow in the future, being a director wannabe myself and knowing there are a lot of talented people just waiting to be unleashed here in the Republic.

I give it 3 (***) out of 5 (*****).

Esta pelicula es excellente

[greycy121 · 10/10 · 13 December 2005]

I had to watch this movie at least 5 times, to me it was like a comedic version of the titanic because i just couldn't stop watching it. Every time I watched it i found a different joke, that had me almost peeing my pants. It is a great example of comedic talent, the writers are amazing, and know exactly what people want to hear.

The worst part about this movie is that i can never find it. I've been looking at every blockbusters and Hollywood and it's never there. I asked my sister to send me a copy, but of course she was too cheap and sent me a bootleg(a badly filmed bootleg).

I cant say anymore about it except that if you're Dominican you'll love it right away. Every body that isn't will have to know Doinicans or watch it at least 5 times to get the actually

One and only

[shanaimyf · 10/10 · 6 February 2021]

One of my favorite Dominican movies. It is super funny and I love every single character they amazing job they did...

My favorite Dominican Movie ever

[elvistejeda · 10/10 · 20 December 2019]

This is a very good movie. It's a shame they dont make em like that anymore.

original story, fun to watch

[judy2469 · 9 April 2004]

I think Perico Ripiao is a good movie,it is a comedy, so it achieves its goal of making you laugh. The story is original, and it looks very good on screen, also the music is very good. i enjoyed it. saw it twice and laughed as hard as the first time. i hope they can take it all over the world where latin americans are. (remember the subtitles for the gringos). Angel Muñiz is talented, i think he will surprise the world someday. His first work, nueba yol was very good, i couldn't believe it when i saw it on cinecanal once (people who know what cinecanal is, know they only show good movies) i felt proud. we have to remember that in dominicana we don't have the big film industry and the money and the support hollywood has, so it was a big effort to make this movie, and i respect him for doing it as a professional as he did it no matter what. if you have the chance to see it, go for it, it is interesting and fun. i certainly would love that next time Angel Muñiz makes a movie, it's not so dominican, so that he can start becoming an international director, maybe our next Pedro Almodovar. :o) I give it 8.5 of 10

Hilarious look at life

[egregiosan · 9/10 · 2 January 2004]

I didn´t think I was going to laugh so much with this film. It happens to grab the realities of the 12 year repression and state them, albeit in hilarious fashion. It may have some minor defects - the main one being, if you´re not Dominican or are familiar with them, the language used won´t allow you to enjoy it as much; but it is a great film. Period.

Goof

[Salome22 · 10/10 · 20 December 2003]

Near the very end of the movie the three guys (dressed as women) walk out of a house. At the end of the street you can see cars passing by. Some of them are not from 1978. e.g. a Toyota Corolla Station Wagon. Probably an 1996 model

Funny movie but needs better English subtitles

[girlfrom8ball · 8 May 2004]

It is a very funny movie. However, for non-Spanish speaking people, it would be hard to understand the meaning of the movie, because the translation (caption/subtitles) is not near as good as it should be.. It needs a better translation in English, non-Spanish speakers would be able to laugh at the jokes as Hispanics would. What the actors were saying was not the same interpretation written in the subtitles but I recommend to non-Spanish speaker to go with someone that does speak the language, He/She might help you to understand the joke. I'm glad that this movie has been released in new york city , but it has not been "advertise" as it should be. I saw "NuebaYol" 10 years ago and it was not as funny as this one.