King Rikki (2002)

User Rating:

4.3/10   

Director:

James Gavin Bedford

Writers:

Jesse Graham (writer)
William Shakespeare (play)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Shakespeare's Richard the Third in 21st Century Los Angeles.

Plot:

In life, there's silver, and there's lead, says Rikki Ortega, as he moves to be king of the street in "Ánglio," L.A.'s east side...

Plot Keywords:

Gang | William Shakespeare | Shakespeare's Richard III | Based On Play | Character Name In Title

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Jon Seda	...	Rikki Ortega
Mario López	...	Juan Vallejo (as Mario Lopez)
Tonantzin Carmelo	...	Anita (as Tonantzín Carmelo)
Timothy Paul Perez	...	Eduardo Ortega
Vincent Castellanos	...	Palacios
Danny Lopes	...	Casio
Sam Sarpong	...	Louis
Alex Miranda	...	Rafael Ortega
David Labiosa	...	Rios
Isabella Donato	...	Lupe
Danielle Camastra	...	Margarita Salcido
Laura Cerón	...	Emalita Ortega
Liz Torres	...	Mother
Manny Perez	...	Jorge Ortega
Jill-Michele Melean	...	Clara (as Jill-Michele Meleán)

Also Known As:

Rikki the Pig (USA) (working title)
The Street King (USA) (video title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, drugs, sexuality and language.

Runtime:

Brazil:91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Mistral Pictures LLC

Movie Connections:

Version of Richard III (1995)

Soundtrack:

Adagio del Ray

Shakespere's King Richard in the Hood??

I admit the updating of one of Shakespeare's classics to modern day storytelling is intriguing but it takes the right cunning mastermind to achieve the same heights the master storyteller did. Not many Shakespeare's updates come close. Giving the reins to Mr. Bedford better known for smutty sexapades such as the Red Shoe Diaries and Wild Orchid further kills all hopes. King Rikki or The Street King whatever you want to call it is clouded by the fact it plays itself as a typical street gang film. With plenty of killings and violence it fits the bill but with main character Rikki Ortega (Jon Seda) running continuous humorous commentary to the camera gives the film a more comedy somewhat dark feel. There is nothing here to feel for the characters or identify with them in any respect. Rikki's sole purpose to become crime boss and leader of his dwindling family is because his mother had traded him to cousins when he was a child because they were poor. So sorry so sad - that happens sometimes but at least she kept it in the family and sent for him when ready. Hell he could have gone to a foster home. Then would he want to kill everybody?

When his brothers started to make money they send for Rikki to come back home. Intervening muddling of the woes of notorious gang rivalries The Crips and The Bloods doesn't even make a difference in Rikki's vendetta. Not wanting to spoil the movie but Rikki's motives is weak and not even tied to those gangs. What family is he trying to run after he kills them all off? His mother and girlfriend don't even trust him with right not too! The only likable thing about Rikki is he's funny! Even with him explaining his motives this movie still didn't make a bit of sense and stank all the way through. Mario Lopez's cop/old friend/quasi gang member character was completely unbelievable and didn't add anything to the picture. No wonder this minimal actor dwells in b-movie franchises, he adds nothing. The whole thing was distorted and extremely annoying. No wonder this movie churned out with little to no fanfare in it's straight to video and down a path to obscurity.

It's too bad because Jon Seda and quite a few of the other unknown actors, particularly, the young newcomer Tonantzin Carmelo that played Anita have lots of potential. This numb wanna be Shakespearean Barrio Boys in the Hood epic does not work! Somebody please recommend a good barrio gangster flick done by people who know their subject matter!