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On the other hand, if it’s giving ‘direct to video
sequels’ an even better name that’s part of it’s
purpose – it’s succeeded, and would’ve even
more had it extracted P.Diddy from the film and instead, added
an extra half-hour of footage.
As it stands, it’s an entertaining movie – but
way too short, and stained by a wooden performance from Sean
‘Diddy’ Combs.
The film tells the back-story of the character Al Pacino
played in Carlito’s Way (1993) – Cuban gangster,
Carlito Brigante.
Jay Hernandez wears the goatee and gun of Brigante this time,
playing the character as a small-time crook of the '60s who
works his way up to the big time – never forgetting his
friends along the way.
Mario Van Peebles scores one of the juiciest roles he’s
had in quite some time, as Earl, a big-time dealer that Carlito
met in Prison, whilst Jaclyn DeSantis shines as the big man’s
love interest, whose kept-in-the-dark when it comes to Carlito’s
business activities. She believes he’s a concert promoter.
Her brother doesn’t like him – one bit.
Luiz Guzman, who actually appeared in the original film,
plays a different character here (the amusing Nachos), Burt
Young (‘Paulie’ is looking about as old as ‘Mickey’
these days) is an Italian gangster with a penchant for making
racial slurs, and the abovementioned Combs plays a fur-coat
wearing richie named Hollywood Nicky. He’s terrible in
the role – maybe it was just the way it was written?
– and it blemishes the film a tad.
The film isn’t a shade on the original – the production
values are lesser, the performers aren’t as entrancing
(though Hernandez does a good Pacino), and the storyline’s
not really there – but as a direct to video effort, it’s
rather good, if even just a very slick production.
DVD Extras
There’s an abundance of extra features on the disc including
an amusing bloopers reel, a tour of the locations used in
the movie, a making-of, deleted scenes, and more. A commentary
would’ve been welcome though, but as it stands better
than some of the extras packages (or lack thereof) you get
these days.
Conclusion: Movie 70% Extras: 65%
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