Yes, the film really does feature them. Maria Alonso was Miss Venezuela, but this film tries to pass the 32 year old off as a teenage Mexican gang member.
It also has Gerardo, the "Rico Suave" one hit wonder. He was a 23 year old at the time Ecuadorian, again supposed to be a Mexican teen in a gang. Apparently to both Hollywood and the ones viewing their films, Latinos are interchangeable. Neither have or try for believable Mexican accents.
The two main veteran actors, Penn and Duval, are out of their depth. Penn overacts, and Duval is left spouting TV cop show cliches.
Even the great Don Cheadle and comedian Damon Wayans are forced left playing caricatures.
The film is at its best when trying to give a glimpse into gang lives. It was also brave in showing LA cops as often brutal, indifferent, or paranoid.
It doesn't always work. It was crass, exploitative, and sometimes stereotypical. Some of the gang members are dehumanized as monsters, and two scenes played raids on gang member's homes for cheap laughs.
The best thing that can be said about it is that it inspired John Singleton to make Boyz in the Hood, to counter all the falsehoods and show the people in the poor neighborhoods as actual people.
It also has Gerardo, the "Rico Suave" one hit wonder. He was a 23 year old at the time Ecuadorian, again supposed to be a Mexican teen in a gang. Apparently to both Hollywood and the ones viewing their films, Latinos are interchangeable. Neither have or try for believable Mexican accents.
The two main veteran actors, Penn and Duval, are out of their depth. Penn overacts, and Duval is left spouting TV cop show cliches.
Even the great Don Cheadle and comedian Damon Wayans are forced left playing caricatures.
The film is at its best when trying to give a glimpse into gang lives. It was also brave in showing LA cops as often brutal, indifferent, or paranoid.
It doesn't always work. It was crass, exploitative, and sometimes stereotypical. Some of the gang members are dehumanized as monsters, and two scenes played raids on gang member's homes for cheap laughs.
The best thing that can be said about it is that it inspired John Singleton to make Boyz in the Hood, to counter all the falsehoods and show the people in the poor neighborhoods as actual people.