Miss Bala

Gina Rodriguez stars as Gloria, a make-up artist from California who goes on a quick trip to Tijuana to see an old friend. The fun getaway turns dangerous when the two are violently separated and land in the middle of an international drug war. Gloria must depend on survival skills she never knew she had in order to save her friend and get them both home safely.

Set in a fast-paced environment with an interesting story and strong lead actress, Miss Bala is an entertaining film, even if it doesn’t hit every single mark. Rodriguez kills this role and her performance is definitely a standout. She proves that she has what it takes to be a believable action hero. Her character goes on a wild journey that turns her life upside down. Gloria is a different woman by the movie’s end; she is more self-aware and more confident as a result of her experiences. I appreciated that she wasn’t a stoic one-dimensional character; there were times when she had visceral reactions to the horrors unfolding around her, but she also possessed an inner strength and determinedness that ultimately saved her life.

There are other actors worth mentioning as well, in particular is Ismael Cruz Cordova, who plays a notorious drug kingpin named Lino. He has very little regard for the lives of others and his violent outbursts suggest he is not to be trusted. However, there are moments when he exhibits fondness for Gloria. These rare instances are always tainted by his volatile nature and it makes for an interesting game of cat and mouse between them. Cordova is downright menacing in this role and I look forward to seeing what other characters he plays in the future.

Miss Bala also has some really fun action sequences and dramatic shoot-outs that will have your eyes glued to the screen. Unfortunately, there are a few scenes that have a great build-up of suspense and then end a little too quickly, as if the perceived danger wasn’t necessary. I also had some lingering questions when the movie ended and concerns about some of the implications for other characters. Thankfully, there was nothing that ruined the movie or made it any less enjoyable.

Overall, it’s a really fun story and I think it’s perfect for date night with Valentine’s Day right around the corner! Miss Bala is still showing in most theaters- do yourself a favor and check it out.

What are some of your favorite movies to see around Valentine’s Day? Do you go for the romantic ones or action-packed flicks like Miss Bala? Let me know in the comments down below!