Straight from the Barrio (2008)

I've decided to write a positive comment about this movie, not because I was part of it –-actually I only re-wrote part of it and worked as AD during the first phase of the shoot, which was stopped for a while because Daddy Yankee had previous singing commitments--, but because I feel the ratings are a bit unfair, and because I enjoyed its viewing. During the break DY won a Grammy and became even more popular. But the first day I arrived on the set I had no idea who this guy with such a silly name was. Raymond (as he asked me to call him) was playing a character with my name, which he did not like, and decided to call his character "Edgar Money", so we were even in that respect. Then I discovered he was highly creative and easily grasped directorial suggestions. After I saw the final product (which did not include everything I re-wrote, like a pretty ending featuring him backed by the Children Chorus of San Juan in a huge stadium, singing a powerful composition written by a talented young man, which did not make the final cut), I thought it was fine, and I still think so. It is a popular movie, made for the people, especially DY's admirers, and I believe that in the end it delivers what was expected by its producers. Daddy Yankee as well as the scriptwriters-producers knew what they were talking about, as well as many of the cast members, reggae-ton singers themselves: a few were on parole or on "country arrest" (as Maestro in the first case, or César Farrait who had an offer to co-star in an American TV series, but could not leave the island and had to decline). Considering the extra problems director José Ivan Santiago, his production manager Leslie Colombani and first assistant director Colleen Comer had to deal with --including (most coincidentally with the plot) members of the cast and crew that were stoned more often than not-- what finally reached the screen was beyond my hopes: a honest and sincere social drama written by ordinary people who knew many tricks in the book. And more important, the Puerto Rican people enjoyed it very much. You may say that this is not a critical parameter... but I guess Daddy Yankee could not care less.

I can't even think how Daddy Yankee can do a movie, the movie have the worst performances in the Spanish-language cinema history, Gangs...thats something new?....The movie its a copy of classic gangs films like "Blood in, Blood Out", "8 Mile", "Get Rich or Dye Trying" and "American Me". Daddy Yankee only wants to make a film because he are lowing down, he pass away, i will remember him for doing this awful piece of crap. I simply don't want to see nothing like this again, i prefer to watch Battlefield on Earth and listening Justin Bieber new album for the rest of my life. This movie its nothing and its a shame. Latin-Americans are the bad guys in this films.. All Latinamericans have guns and are Criminals?...this movie need something...and that is a message that the other Gang movies have. Blood In, Blood Out and American Me shows us that Gangs are the way of Evil...oh i forget MI FAMILIA, the Chucho parts pff, that film really make us understand the danger of bad companies. This movie its nothing for me.

Excellent Movie. I enjoyed the end. Very symbolic because we know who Daddy Yankee is and where he is now, and it showed where he came from. It was a very strong film. I wanted to see more, and know more about his personal life. I'm glad he made this film for us to see. I felt very sorry for his family and his loss, if it is all based on a true story. I found it very upsetting and was routing for Daddy Yankee to get his revenge. I really felt that. It's an emotional story, and it left me admiring him more as an artist. I'm glad he made this film because he is one of the first(and one of the best) Reggaeton stars, and the music would not be the same without him. I'm glad he got out of that lifestyle and brought his talent to light for the world to see because even after all these years, although it hasn't been that long, he is still holding it down. His musical style, beats, and rap represent the lifestyle and you feel that it is coming from deep within his heart and soul that makes him an original that cannot be duplicated.

I saw the movie last night & I was completely blown away. DY's performance was great as well for the rest of the cast however for me that stole the show was Maestro {Jeico}. A man who is willing to take out his childhood friend to gain control of the barrio that DY ran. 2 major bichote's running different parts of Valle Verde & Jeico wants it all ... first he gets rid of El Domi along with his crew ... that is one bichote down now the next is Wichy {Edgar's best friend; almost blood brother; At this point Dinero left the drug world to continue his career as a rapero), which Edgar left the business to Wichy and Jeico, but with greed, Jeico kills Wichy.. He rapes and brutally beats Nata {Edgar's sister}due to her denying him constantly at the end when she finally had enough of being his "amigita" & constant threats of killing her brother.What I liked about Edgar {DY's character} even though he's a drug dealer he cares for his community .. for example; Edgar & his gang are at the corner waiting for man {I forgot his name} as soon as the man gets out of the car with his wife, he and his gang begin to beat him .. during the beating Edgar screams at him saying "you enjoy raping young girls etc" Its a bit violent and the beating is not necessary but here it shows that even though Edgar is a drug dealer he doesn't tolerate that in his Barrio. Edgar had mad luv for his crew as well, especially Wichy.. he was like a blood brother to him, growing up together en el barrio juntos.Maestro performance was so great it made me so mad that I wanted to give him a tiro .. He was just completely wicked and didn't care who got in his way .. up to the point where he would kill his own men if they ever talked or heard music from Edgar. Maestro got the sadistic killer to the point ... playing both sides of the field gaining each sides trust only to attack to gain control of the Barrio.Many probably won't enjoy it but what I really enjoyed about the movie is that you get to see what people don't want to see ... reality of the barrio. I've been to places like that and I give them snaps for toughing it out in those areas its not easy but they struggle to give a good life to their kids when they can't afford it. I would watch it again ... and I will.