Perico ripiao (2003) Reviews

• Great movie!

  miguel_marques2005-02-18

  I had so much fun watching this movie, I agree is far better than one expects. I am Spanish but lived in DR for a year and a half, even though I am familiar with Dominicans and Dominican slang I don't agree that this movie can only be enjoyed by Dominicans... A Spaniard or, specially, any other Latino can easily follow the thread and maybe he won't understand 100% but the expressions you can figure out even if you've never heard it before! Filming is not the best ever, but technical problems are compensated with a hilarious acting and a hectic action. They should have watched out better for details, the DHL bag that the girl in the bus carries doesn't look from the 70s... Great good luck for Múñiz!

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• Better than I expected.

  Tyler-Durden2004-01-01

  After reading a couple of reviews in the newspapers, I just had to give "Perico Ripiao" a chance, and surprisingly enough I found it to be amusing, not the piece of crap I was expecting. I'm not even gonna bother commenting on it's plot, it's direction, the acting ability of the main cast, etc. I've read a few people say "they acted nicely, blah blah...", but to tell you the truth, with this kind of film, you don't need good acting to make it work. Maybe a cleverly written script, but that's all. "Perico Ripiao" only worked 'cause it's filled with jokes based on absurd situations that sometimes actually happen in real life, at least in here, Dominican Republic. Being such a small country, everyone will feel identified with at least one of the characters, even if it's just for a single moment of the film. The popular phrases and expressions make it quite fun for us to watch, as we never see them in another movie, as you might have guessed. Still, "Perico Ripiao" has one main problem, which other dominican films have had: it would only work for dominican audiences. This film will never be internationally known... And even if someone tried to make it famous outside our boarders, the people would just not understand the film. Sure, they'd get the idea of the plot... but they would definitely not feel/understand the things only we dominicans do. All of this only drives me to one main question... When will a dominican filmmaker attempt to make a film that doesn't rely so much on our language/jokes/culture ? Something that could be watched/understood by someone in any side of the world, something they could watch and feel the same way we do. I hope that day isn't too distant..

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• It was excellent, in my opinion

  pitipua2005-01-16

  Perico Ripiao is one of those movies that transports you to a particular place and time while asserting its common humanity. I disagree with those who say that you have to be Dominican to understand the movie. I am a Puertorrican, some Americans watched it with me, and we all identified with several characters and situations, all while laughing our behinds off. As this movie brings up issues that we see in PR too, I throughly enjoyed the "Caribbeanness" of the piece, the common disrespect to the authority of the State, or just rules in general; the resistance against oppression, the absurdity of it all. Nothing is sacred. The movie makes meaningful comments about almost every segment of Dominican society, and while poking fun at them, uncovers some unsavory truths that resonate with many of us and gets us thinking: why does State and police power invariably corrupts? What kind of solutions are needed? How can religion be used to blind yourself to the reality around you? How is our identity as Caribbean people expressed despite so-called "globalization"? You will see far more than meets the surface of humor and profanity if you pay attention. I heartily recommend this movie to anyone interested in getting to know the Caribbean reality up close and personal--and if you want to laugh your ass off. PS> Don't miss the special features! They're long but hysterical!

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• One of the best movies ever...

  princessyahmeela2004-05-21

  This movie is not just extremely hilarious, but it has all of the drama and the emotional twists and turns of a real life drama that occurs to people living under a repressive regime and still trying to live. And of course the fact that the actors were all able to act so natural and engage in typical conversations the way the people of Quisqueya speak makes this movie so realistic. And at the same time we can see as viewers, the terrible situation of this island being split into two, the corruption that goes on and how people are affected by all of this. What I love the most is that this is the first movie I have ever seen from this island, and it relates so much to the people, and it seems that all or most of the actors are natives of the island, which helps encourage the acting careers of the people of Quisqueya (of both sides of the borders). I also loved the Chinese man in the mob of slave Haitians. You'll enjoy it too.

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• Esta pelicula es excellente

  greycy1212005-12-13

  I had to watch this movie at least 5 times, to me it was like a comedic version of the titanic because i just couldn't stop watching it. Every time I watched it i found a different joke, that had me almost peeing my pants. It is a great example of comedic talent, the writers are amazing, and know exactly what people want to hear. The worst part about this movie is that i can never find it. I've been looking at every blockbusters and Hollywood and it's never there. I asked my sister to send me a copy, but of course she was too cheap and sent me a bootleg(a badly filmed bootleg). I cant say anymore about it except that if you're Dominican you'll love it right away. Every body that isn't will have to know Doinicans or watch it at least 5 times to get the actually

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