BLU-RAY REVIEW

Born In East L.A.

Featured In Issue 238, April 2019

Picture3
Sound2.5
WSR Score3.5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Shout Factory
(Catalog Number):
SF19727
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
(Retail Price):
$27.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
(Running Time In Minutes):
84
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
A
(Theatrical Year):
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
3/19/2019
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
(Director):
Cheech Marin
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
DTS HD Lossless 2.0
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(Subtitles):

When a native-born American citizen of Mexican descent is mistakenly deported to Mexico, he has to risk everything to get back home.

Special features include the "Wass Sappening?" conversation with Cheech Marin (HD 31:19), the "Who Are You Calling Stupid?" conversation with Paul Rodriguez (HD 13.36), the "What Is Disco Bunnies?" conversation with Kamala Lopez (HD 14:25), an extended television cut of "Born In East L.A." (HD 01:33:56), a still gallery, production notes, and the trailer.

The 1.85:1 1080p AVC picture, reviewed on a Sony Bravia Z9D 4K Ultra HD HDR display, upconverted to 2160p with greater resolution and luminance, was photographed on film using the Moviecam camera system and sourced from a 2K master Digital Intermediate format. While promoted as a new scan, this Universal Studios catalog title still appears similar to a previous release, with textural detail a tad soft. Still, the imagery is vibrant with strong colors, decent black levels and shadow delineation. The hills and city settings of Tijuana are nicely vivid, with hues that at times pop, such as Rudy's baseball cap and clothes. Fleshtones are rendered naturally. Resolution is acceptable. Film grain is modest. Overall, this is a pleasing picture with appealing natural imagery. (Gary Reber)

The DTS-HD Master Audio™ 2.0-channel is credited as in stereo, but actually the two-channel delivers a monaural experience, with not much in the way of distinguished sound. Dialogue is primary and is intelligible, even with East L.A. accents. The music is fun and nicely supports the comedic character of the proceedings. Atmospherics complete the sonic experience and effectively support the imagery. This is a very fun soundtrack that delivers the laughs, coupled with the comedic antics, but fidelity and dimension are wanting. (Gary Reber)