Directed by: Gerardo Naranjo
Starring: Stephanie Sigman
Distributed by: Fox World Cinema
MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 113 minutes
Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 1 out of 5 stars
“Miss Bala” directed by Gerardo Naranjo is the fictional story of Laura Guerrero (Stephanie Sigman), a young Mexican girl aspiring to become the next Miss Baja. When Guerrero finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time she becomes involved in a drug war that is raging in her city. In order to save her family and her hopes of becoming the pageant winner Guerrero is forced to take part in a variety of dangerous events.
After hearing a number of good things about this film I was more than ready to finally sit down and see what the hype was all about. 10 minutes or so in to the film it was no wonder why it was an official selection of the New York, Toronto and Cannes film festivals. “Miss Bala” is an aggressive and at times unsettling story of devotion. You instantly feel for new comer Stephanie Sigman’s character and her desire to save her family. No matter what the situation or mood of the scene Sigman’s performance read true. Personally I was a big fan of the various build ups where it seemed as though Laura was being released only to be pulled immediately back in after seeing some glimmer of hope. These scenes combined with a tailspin ending left me with just one word. “Wow”.
Fox World Cinema once again does not offer really anything in the way of “Special Features”. In this section of the DVD you get the films trailer a sneak peak of “Miss Bala” and a couple trailers for other Fox World films. The Fox Company really needs to take a good look at this portion of their productions as it is in need of some serious attention. If you are looking for a film with a suspense filled story line then Gerardo Naranjo’s latest film “Miss Bala” should do the trick.
