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Miss Bala (2011) 6.5
Ratings:
6.5/10 from 6,655 users
Metascore: 80/100
Reviews: 35 user | 130 critic | 22 from Metacritic.com After entering a beauty contest in Tijuana, a young woman witnesses drug-related murders and is forced to do the gang's bidding. Director:Gerardo Naranjo |
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Title: Miss Bala (2011)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Stephanie Sigman | ... |
Laura Guerrero
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Juan Carlos Galván | ... |
Arturo Guerrero
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Noé Hernández | ... |
Lino Valdez
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Irene Azuela | ... |
Jessica Verduzo
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Javier Zaragoza | ... |
Ramón Guerrero
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Lakshmi Picazo | ... |
Azucena 'Suzu' Ramos
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| Jose Yenque | ... |
Kike Cámara
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| James Russo | ... |
Jimmy
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Leonor Victorica | ... |
Luisa Janes
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Gabriel Heads | ... |
Agent Bell
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Hugo Márquez | ... |
Javi Fernández
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Miguel Couturier | ... |
General Salomón Duarte
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Eduardo Mendizábal | ... |
Quiño
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Sergio Gómez Padilla | ... |
Parca
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Felipe Morales | ... |
Tío
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
At 23, Laura Guerro and her friend Suzu enter the Miss Baja pageant. Both qualify, and while Laura waits at a nightclub for Suzu to break away so they can go shopping, a heavily-armed drug gang murders drug enforcement officials there. Laura escapes unharmed but can't find Suzu, so the next day she looks for her; her dogged behavior brings her to the cartel's attention, and they force her to assist them as they menace her father and younger brother. Lino, the gang's leader, decides Laura should finish the pageant although her only interest is escape. Every day drags her deeper and corruption is pervasive. What alternative is there to death or prison? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for language, some brutal violence and sexuality | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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See full technical specs »
Details
Release Date:
9 September 2011 (Mexico) See more »Also Known As:
Miss Bala: I vasilissa tis omorfias See more »Filming Locations:
Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, MexicoCompany Credits
Production Co:
Canana, Fox International Productions (FIP), Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografía (IMCINE) See more »
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Beware of those viewers who really just want to see another Femme Nikita or something similar with non-stop unrealistic action led by a pretty babe.
Miss Bala isn't like that. (Dumb title though. Why not just keep Miss Baja? Are they afraid we gringos can't handle that name?) This film is about the way innocent Mexicans are caught up in the narco wars when they're just trying to live their own dreams.
In addition to the strong theme, the movie works because the story does more than carry thematic resonance -- there's suspense (which requires patience that the video-gaming generation may not be able to muster) and a very sympathetic central character. No, she's not always active, but she is reactive; she isn't just passively passing through this story. We care about her because she has a dream that has been sullied, because she cares about others (her friend Zuzu and her brother), and because, even after she's been abused, she's willing to take a risk at the end to prevent a murder.
Add all this to a well-shot movie with an unusual but effective mise-en-scenes in many of the beats and very scary bad guys, and, well, the sum of it all is a very strong movie.
By the way, there are no continuity lapses in the story and the finale makes sense -- but again, it's going to take some thinking. This movie is not an American action pic -- there's more thought behind it, and more thought needed to digest it.