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List Price: $19.99 | | Label: Walt Disney Video
Salesrank: 7171
Released: June 13, 2000 |
| Our Price: $10.92 |
| Used Price: $6.37 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Now, from the director of AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN and the producer of LA BAMBA comes BLOOD IN ... BLOOD OUT, a critically acclaimed modern-day epic. Within the rich and colorful Chicano culture of East Los Angeles, three cousins raised as brothers fiercely live by a generations-old tradition of family -- a power stronger than law, a force deeper than friendship. In one life-shattering moment, the trio is torn apart, forcing them to follow three separate paths: one searching for truth in the law, one expressing his passion through art, and one finding power in prison. Yet through it all, family and honor keep their lives intertwined as each strives for survival and power!
Description of Blood In, Blood Out:
Taylor Hackford (An Officer and a Gentleman) directed this 1993 epic about Chicano gang wars in the California prison system and the differing and tragic paths of three boyhood friends. Half-brothers Paco and Cruz grow up with their cousin Miklo in Chicano Los Angeles, and each in turn is influenced by their violent environment and the prevalence of drugs on their streets. Cruz becomes an artist but winds up tragically addicted to heroin, while Miklo serves time for murder and Paco becomes a cop, setting the stage for a confrontation between the two when Miklo is released from prison. The film strives for an epic feel but takes too long to set up its interweaving stories. It is notable, however, for some fine acting on the part of Benjamin Bratt and Damian Chiapa, as well as smaller roles by Billy Bob Thornton, Ving Rhames and Delroy Lindo. Its depictions of life in the California prison system are harrowing and powerful, and serve as the centerpiece of this urban drama. --Robert Lane
Blood In, Blood Out Reviews:
Excellent STORY 
2009-10-08 - From the Beginning to end, this ranks as one of the best films to come out of the "hood". It deals with street life, drugs, and Prison. The storyteling is fabulous, and the actors all take their roles to heart. There are some scenes which are graphic, but that makes it a good fit, because just when you think the movie is taking a dive into Drama, it hits you with some great action scenes. Car chases, fist fights, stabbings and the like, all are found here. If you don't buy it, it is your loss, but give it a chance, it is well worth it.
Just an interesting tidbit of information...
2009-09-28 - I won't bore anybody with yet another review about how "Blood In, Blood Out" was another great epic Chicano movie... While I did see some disturbing parallels to "American Me" (Well, Montana can beat up Santana...), I tried focusing on the differences. Montana bodyguard Gato was portrayed by Jimmy Santiago Baca, who was asked by Taylor Hackford to co-write the screenplay. Baca is an established poet who had himself spent some time in prison. I urge you to look up some of his work right here on Amazon; maybe after reading some of his raw, angry poetry can one develop a greater appreciation for "Blood In..." and its (what is commonly conceived as) hokey dialogue.
Incidentally, parallels notwithstanding, "Blood In..." is NOT a remake of "American Me" and has more than enough of its own merit. "American Me's" vision and message were bleak, while "Blood In..." at least offered hope in a time of gangs and drugs.
American Me: the remake
2009-09-08 - The first question that came to mind when seeing this movie was the following: can they get sued for copying American Me? Personally, I didn't mind them being so similar since there were many things I liked better about BIBO anyway (though I felt American Me was a little better overall).
One of the things I appreciated most about this movie was in how the three main characters took different paths in life. One became the head of La Onda, another became a painter, and the other a cop. I was really hoping that the three wouldn't join La Onda (making it even more of an American Me rip off). It was nice to see their three separate stories and how they were all connected somehow.
BIBO was pretty violent, but not nearly as graphic as American Me. There are some close calls when it comes to the "prison love" scenes (some VERY close calls), but you don't have the disturbing scenes you'll see in American Me (but still, probably not for kids either way). I understand, these are prison movies...but hey, we're not actually in prison, right? People on the outside kind of already know what happens in prison.
I've read a lot of complaints in the reviews about bad acting. I did get a little bothered by a few scenes of overdramatizing (though not much). But still, this is a movie. All movies overdramatize. If they didn't, they would be boring. I don't see why something like that would result in a few 1 star reviews (though most weren't specific as to what they meant by "bad acting"). I mean, we're talking about cholos in the neighborhood and prison anyway. Where is there a need for seriously good acting?
If I were a paid critic, I don't know what kind of a rating I would give this movie. But I'm not a paid critic and only a reviewer...and since I liked this movie very much, I'm going with 5 stars. If you liked American Me, you'll very likely like this too. I can't imagine liking one and not the other.
A tale from youth in the barrio to adulthood 
2009-05-23 - Bound by Honor (1993), appears to have been inspired from a book,
that the director has faithfully transposed onto the silver
screen.
It's a valuable DVD rental for those interested in the urban
culture of the USA (particularly, in Los Angeles and Latinos back
in the 1970's.)
Considering the length of the film (3 hours), the visual quality
(although not wide-screen) takes on special significance, and
this is the case here, showing outstanding talent in the
selection of various scenes in and around LA, in homes, barrios,
streets, and more, such that, the story is flawless in
representing all places where the actual story develops and
forms, upto and including showing a pentitentiary in its many
aspects. The importance of realism cannot be over-emphasized in a
movie dealing with this type of subject.
At the same time, the work is also another milestone in
documenting gang lifestyles, namely, its origins and the
mentalities of those belonging and taking part in it.
The acting talent is also spotless, in particular Benjamin Bratt
(as Paco, a US Marine and later DEA agent), and Jesse Borrego
(as Cruz, a graffiti artist, and painter). To a lesser degree,
Damian Chapa (as Miklo, a gangster) puts in a good effort, while
also being a bit of an oddball in the casting. His perception is
shown, as battling being of mixed-origins, only half-Latino
having to be twice as extreme to be accepted by his peers in the
gang subculture.
The movie is educational, showing the uphill struggle of those
desiring to leave the penal system, once brought into it,
considering that the outside world (as well as the inside one) is
not black and white, but different shades of grey, as many
partake in gambling, the bookie business, sex rackets, gang
violence, abuse, physical threats, etc.
The script seems well articulated, with a fair bit of slang and
jargon from the subculture ("Don't mad dog me!" or "Carnal!" -
bro, etc.)
The name of the movie, is perhaps a misnomer, as the gang members
are compelled to stand in solidarity with each other, over a
period of years, from a feeling of identity and common origins,
and not necessarily for satisfying a requirement of honor.
Indeed, the essence of this movie is about how people change, to
survive economically, realistically, and socially over a period
of years from youth to well into their adulthood, measuring that
change against a non-changing gang oath.
Particular effort was made into making the scenes stylish and
visually appealing: a Fedora hat, coupled with a white interior
shirt, or a muscle shirt being the gang uniform.
The movie has plenty of action, with street chases, wreckless
driving in streets spectacularly laid out, as well as man-to-man
combats, pistol firefights, and more.
The hardships behind bars are not left out, showing the pressures
felt, gang authority exerted , the outcome of limitated access to
help, freedom and resources in realizing one's natural potential,
or even, access to certain foods and dishes. It also suggests
payoffs occur behind the scenes which can explain a lot.
With merit, the story reminds viewers that, if there are sellers
of substances, it exists stems from a significant consumer-side
in the USA, meaning, a supply is setup, very profitably, to meet
the demand, with the resulting competition, double-crosses,
strategic take-outs of rivals, etc.
In sum, this is a long, visual movie, that will captivate the
audience, holds their interest and takes them on an impeccable
autobiographical tale from childhood in the barrio to adulthood,
with a number of hardships, struggles and successes.
Epic!
2009-05-15 - Definitely in the top 5 of my favorite movies. It is one of those movies that not only do you enjoy watching it for entertainment but you are still thinking about it and the profound emotional impact it has on you days, weeks, even months after you see it. It is REALLY long though, so that could turn people off to it. I did not have a problem with it though because of how involved I was in storyline.
I first watched in my one of my classes my senor year of HS. The teacher was burned out and just spent the last few weeks showing movies and this one was the only one that got the vast majority interested enough to sit still and stay quiet. I never saw anything like it, usually it is 50/50 some watching the others goofing off but at least 80% were captivated each and every day the film was resumed from where we left off.
It is just a great film and it seems like no one knows about it. I am going to buy it and show it to all of my friends, I suggest you do the same. :)
