I am on the fence with this movie. A lot of it made sense - the community of family sticking together and defending their home (or gang territory).What I didn't understand was the complete lack of fear these "kids" had. I mean - the majority of them were teenagers - babies - and they are going around selling drugs, shooting at each other and throwing kids off rooftops. It was totally insane.Also, in every scene - everyone had their hands in their coat pockets while they were walking down the street - or just leaning against a building. It was like the director told them all the same thing and they did it the same - in every scene.Also the tight a*(&^ jeans on these kids. I just don't get it. With kids these days - it's either the tightest jeans you could wear so that every bulge you have shows or the complete opposite, where they wear the low rider jeans and they are so dropsy at the waist line, that you see their underwear or their butt crack and the jeans are half way to their knees. Then when they want to run from the cops - their jeans are either to tight or too dropsy that they can't run properly.I will have to watch this movie again to understand it a little bit more, before I can truly judge it.

This film should be given more credit. Parts of this film has been copied in many Drug/Gangster Films after this film's release. Example:In the beginning of the film were they throw the kid off the roof. This act is copied in the movie Above The Rim. Scarface may be the only other drug movie that has been copied more. I be the first to admit that the acting is not up to par and in my opinion that really gives the film a more sense of realism. By the acting being that way it is it has given the film a documentary feel in my opinion. It makes you wonder whether or not a film crew was following around real drug dealers. Ricahrd Ulacia as Thiago in my opinion was okay. But Marlia Pera was excellent. The part were she breaks out in song was over the top but it enhanced her character in the movie. That part really showed the characters dual personality. Watch the movie and you will understand what I'm saying. The problem is that this movie will never become mainstream because of how real it is. Scarface was fantasy with some realism, Mixed Blood was all real. It gives you sense on how it was in the ghetto at that time. It shows how dirty some cops are. The Spanish was on point. The soundtrack was excellent. To me that made the movie. They're better films out there but this unique in it's own way

First up, Mixed Blood is no Citizen Kane (Personally, I think Citizen Kane is highly overrated, but you get my point). However, it is a very enjoyable, funny and entertaining. The acting on occasion is poor but in a strange way this adds to the sense of realism. Richard Ulacia is a dreadful actor but due to the fact that he is playing a retarded mummy's boy means that he is perfect for this role!Marilia Pera is excellent as Rita La Punta (she starred in Central Station) and whilst she shows sincere motherly love for all her 'adopted' drug running boys, she still manages to exude a real air of menace for her rivals drug dealers.There are some very funny scenes in this film. I suspect most of them were intentional, although some are not. However, be warned if you like Merchant and Ivory films you will not find any humour in this film! If you hate Merchant and Ivory films, you should have a rib tickling time.On a more serious note, one of the plot lines involves NYC's finest helping the drug dealers eliminate their rivals. In the light of the Larry Davis case (where Larry, a teenager, was allegedly employed by South Bronx police officers to sell drugs) and the fact that, in retrospect, this film was shot in the same year, you really do get a sense of gritty realism.The musical score is excellent and matches the style and look of the film perfectly. The fine use of latin classics from Hector Lavoe and Willie Colon will have you shimmying in your seat.If you like Scarface and Carlito's Way, rent this film on a Saturday night (when there is nothing much on TV) and you will not be disappointed.

MIXED BLOOD should pay special tribute to a guru of Andy Warhol who can't pinpoint New York City on a map. This gets cheesy starting at the first few seconds. A good story about "Mommy's" boys running a crime operation is dumped into the city landfill by mistakenly showing off poor production values, and a cruddy place to shoot a movie. I gagged throughout the whole thing, and you will, too. For the actors who were put on minimum wage, learning to use the sixth letter of the alphabet perfectly explains the name of the setting ("Alphabet City"). Godmother Rita is a slightly overweight Fran Drescher who performs a ridiculous singing number, turning this film into a laughable nightmare that later gets silly without even being noticed. You can smell the laughing gas that floats directly at your face! And if you can't stand the bloody violence that is eating our society, well, you most likely will, as poorly choreographed scenes will have you coughing up your fajita. MIXED BLOOD doesn't decide on whether it wants to speak Spanish or English. "Pathetic" is the word that speaks for itself. You might be interested in it if you still love Menudo.