GANG
WARZ
A Film by Chris T. McIntyre
Review by Eugenia Wright, Freelance Writer  The
title of this film sounds frightening but compared to other
films of the same genre the gangster element was far from
gripping. All the components for a gang scenario were in place,
drug lords (COOLIO), Blacks vs. Hispanics, Compton vs. East
LA, an apathetic police department chief (ROBERT VAUGHN) and
the hard core back-stabbing prostitute (RINA FERNANDEZ), but
where was the terror?
The
fear factor in this film is not the obvious. Director Chris
T. McIntyre, wrote his script set to the backdrop of the LAPD
Rampart scandal and the real twist in Gang Warz is that one
cop determined to rid these unwanted menaces to our society
is “the one” to fear, not the gang members. No
Training Day officer here, however, the character Roe Conner
(a half Latino, half Black police officer) in the film played
convincingly by CHINO XL bears steadfast integrity and is
on a mission to rid the streets with a serious don’t
F#$% me attitude. Connor who resembles the Rock is dedicated,
ready to die for what he believes in and the gang bangers
on his streets know it. Roe Connor (CHINO XL) is out to save
the day fighting not only the street gangs, but a police force
whose only interest lies in shuffling papers.
One
of the laughable relief moments in the film comes from a voice
over, when a concerned citizen contacts the police department
and the way she asks the question “Is this the police?”
to a shiftless minded officer at the other end of the phone.
Luckily, with all the paper work, they keep a good filing
system and Roe is able to put his finger on some key information.
Without
question Roe’s character is the saving grace of the
film. Of the two main villains Dunzio Day “D-Day”
an O.G. drug lord played by COOLIO, and an unsavory anti-Christ
character Marco Cruz played by PABLO PATLIS who would kill
a man of the cloth without batting an eye. PATLIS is the strongest.
Although his character is not active in most of the film which
is a shame, when he finally shows up for action; right before
he is ready to get to the bizness of the streets, money, and
his woman, a dramatic confrontation with his very religious
mother portrayed by THERESA SALDANA ensues.
Their
mother & son relationship reveals her secret past and
the probable cause for his psychotic behavior. CRUZ turns
in a respectable performance and SALDANA is perfectly cast.
At this point however, the rest of the film plays out like
a melodrama. The music doesn’t help here either. Except
for the more contemporary hip-hop and Latin beats, the original
score by Wayne Scott Jones sounds very soapish.
Look
out for exciting performances though by newcomer RINA FERNANDEZ
in the role of Serrina, a hot razor sharp tongue talking Latina
chica that tries to outwit them all by using her raw sexy
talents and street smarts. Other cast members that handled
their roles well include JENNIFER SALINAS (Lucia Cruz) who
portrays a loving sister to the villain Cruz, RENI SANTONI
(Father Ruiz) and MYKEL SHANNON in the role of DEX.
When
asked what is the message of this film, Director Chris T.
McIntyre said,-“In spite of how attractive gang life
may appear in the beginning, it doesn’t pay. Everybody
who is involved in the gang life gets killed or ends up in
jail. If you can stay out of the gang life in any possible
way you should do it because there is no upside. There’s
a lot more out there to live for. That’s the message
I’m trying to get across.”
On
a scale of 1 to 5, five being best. GANG WARZ rates a solid
3.
Eugenia
Wright is a Freelance Writer and Pres. of ISA PR. You may
write to her at kleogirl117@yahoo.com
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