Reviews & Ratings for
Illegal Tender More at IMDbPro »

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31 out of 37 people found the following review useful:

Not worth the $10.

Author: kkheggs from New York, NY
3 September 2007

This movie was entertaining, but the acting was horrible. I expected way better work from John Singleton and from actors like Wanda DeJesus, Dania Ramirez and Rick Gonzalez. There were so many holes in the plot that dramatic scenes were turned into slapstick comedy. There were also many anachronisms (a bodega scene in 1985 featured candy and snacks with 2007 packaging) and continuity errors (Wilson's little brother bruised his face after falling off his bike; the bruise was healed later that day. Wilson grew up speaking English, but managed to speak fluent Spanish once he arrived in Puerto Rico). I did like the music in the film, though, and I'll probably buy the soundtrack. I think I understand the vision that John Singleton may have had in making this film, but unfortunately he used a formula that was successful in the '90s and it doesn't work for Illegal Tender.

16 out of 21 people found the following review useful:

Good little thriller that doesn't require much except a desire to go along for the ride

Author: dbborroughs from Glen Cove, New York
14 October 2007

21 years after her husband, a drug dealer looking to get out, is gunned down, a woman finds that her husband's cronies are still looking to kill her and her family. Her son at first doesn't believe her, but when he's forced to defend the family home against attackers plan are made to turn the tables on the attackers.

Good little action thriller from John Singleton. I don't know what else to say but this is an old school style crime thriller that has characters you care about and real tension that comes from the characters and situations. Definitely worth a look at some point.

6.5 out of 10

9 out of 12 people found the following review useful:

A very entertaining film

Author: vilj-1 from United States
1 January 2008

What a little jewel of a film, and to think that I almost missed it because of negative comments by some viewers and critics. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. You have to take it for what it is and just enjoy the ride. It is an action-packed thriller, well acted and never boring. Although John Singleton was only a producer of this film (it was directed by Franc Reyes). If you enjoy Mr. Singleton's type of films, you will certainly enjoy this one. I highly recommend it for EVERYONE, but especially for those that understand Spanish. Reggaeton star Tego Calderon, acting on his first film, was fantastic, as well as the performances of Rick Gonzalez, Dania Ramirez and the wonderful Wanda De Jesus. It was a hard-hitting film, with gripping action and suspense, with a great music soundtrack. Do yourself a favor, rent the DVD and see for yourself. You won't regret it.

11 out of 17 people found the following review useful:

regards to This movie is an embarrassment and a disgrace to people of Mexican heritage

Author: GypsyKatt from United States
20 February 2008

I think you need to see the movie again because it is not about Mexicans (you wish) the movie is about Puerto Ricans, I enjoyed watching the movie it showed how true family power can overcome anything, how a mother is willing to do anything die or kill for her family safety. It's about pride,honor and values. Wilson De Leon, Jr. is an exceptional college student with an adoring girlfriend, doting mother and a future full of promise. He has never wanted for anything, and he has never been forced to stand his ground. But when ghosts from his mother's past come back to haunt his present, he must defend his family and quickly turn into the strong man his father prayed he'd become.

7 out of 11 people found the following review useful:

The man is wrong

Author: rollstuhlwolf from Canada
6 February 2008

This is not a John Singleton movie as the person above me stated. And the reason it was given so little attention is because even though the cast of what most would consider unknowns is strong, it is just a generic John Singleton style movie replacing African Americans with Hispanics. If this film had been made 15 years ago it might garner more attention, but with so many generic life in the hood films made over the last two decades it is easy for something like this to slip under the radar. Good acting is not enough to carry a movie, there has to be a strong plot and character development. In fact, I'm surprised more Latinos were not upset by what seemed to me a very stereotypical look at life in a ethnocentric neighborhood. Personally, I feel a move like "Wassup Rockers" did a better and more entertaining job of looking at diversity issues, crime, bigotry, and even inter-cultural separation. Yes, its nice to see more Hispanic and Latinos in films. But if this is the roles they are getting no progress has been made and they got a long way to go.

4 out of 6 people found the following review useful:

Excellent Thriller with Suspense

Author: C. Sean Currie (hypestyle) from detroit, MI
8 November 2007

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Franc. Reyes writes & directs, produced by John Singleton.

The two men craft an excellent "urban thriller" focusing on Latino protagonists.

The film starts off with a flashback prologue, where a pregnant young woman is ready to tell her husband about the legal investments she's made with the money he has made from working for a drug dealer. That same night, her husband is called away to meet his boss to make a 'final payment' and announce his retirement-- however, his boss has other plans-- and he is brutally murdered-- the hit squad also comes after the young woman, but she escapes with help from friends.

20 years later, Rick Gonzalez ("Biker Boyz", "Coach Carter") plays Wilson De Leon Jr., a college student who is a whiz at mathematics. Wanda De Jesus is Millie, Wilson's mother, who is somewhat estranged from Wilson as of late; Wilson dearly loves his mom, and his 10 year old half-brother. But he's extremely skeptical about his mom's dating life, and it's driving a wedge between them. Besides his little bro, the other comfort in Wilson's life is his girlfriend Ana (Dania Ramirez).

Apparently, even the Witness Protection Program turned Ana down, and she was forced to move from place to place throughout Wilson Jr.'s youth; the money from the investments have provided them with financial comfort, but Ana is always looking over her shoulder-- the reason why comes to a head when a chance encounter with an old neighborhood acquaintance marks her, and a new team of assassins are sent to kill her-- and whoever else is in her family.

Wilson Jr. clumsily fends them off, and then confronts his mother, who grudgingly tells him the truth about their circumstances. This sets into motion a chain of events where Wilson begins to abandon his life of privilege and try to survive in the ghettos of Puerto Rico, where the Mob boss now lives. Wilson's intention is to broker a truce, but this just makes things worse, leading to several violent further confrontations. There is a surprise twist as to the motivations of the gangster, which makes the climax more stunning.

Reggaeton performer Tego Calderón plays Choco, an enforcer for the gangster that is looking for Wilson's family.

This is an excellent film for those who appreciate crime drama and urban films with an ethnic cast. The filming of Puerto Rico looks wonderful, showcasing the night life there.

5 out of 8 people found the following review useful:

SPOILER: Too much of a canned plot

Author: refdan from United States
6 January 2008

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I applaud this film for portraying the Puerto Rican heritage and culture with respect. The producer is trying to bring it into more prominence in the film industry. The family values portrayed by the actors are not typical, but they are commendable nevertheless.

The actors are credible in their roles as mother, son, and girlfriend. The supporting cast is not quite so good. Dialog is stilted and delivered like a stage production.

It moves along pretty well and the back story is well done, although it is not clear why the money is such an issue until very late in the film, and then it's clear that the money is NOT the issue.

The problem I have with the film is the incredible plot leaps of faith where a hostile faction (MOM) is able to penetrate a heavily guarded establishment without being discovered and then ice the villain and escape easily.

Mothers skill with the pistols is absolutely over the top and not credible.

The 'assassins' are totally incompetent and couldn't hit the broadside of a barn when standing next to it.

Those things bothered me, but not enough to miss the true point of this film: a mother's love is the fiercest love of all. She will do anything to protect her children.

6 out of 10 people found the following review useful:

Illegal Tender was worth the rental

Author: golardohead from San Diego, CA
5 March 2008

Director Franc. Reyes gives crime movie junkies the powerful drama Illegal Tender. It didn't exactly grab me getting sluggish at times with nothing happening on screen except talking heads. After the gangsters who killed his father come to settle a score, a teenage boy and his mother turn the tables on the killers - one Latino family's quest for honor and revenge as the hunted become the hunters. Wilson DeLeon, Jr. is an exceptional college student with an adoring girlfriend, doting mother and a future full of promise. He has never wanted for anything, and he has never been forced to stand his ground. But when ghosts from his mother's past come back to haunt his present, he must defend his family ... and quickly turn into the strong man his father prayed he'd become.

Nothing could stop Wilson's mother, Millie, from protecting her two boys. Forced to flee her home after gangsters killed her husband, she made an oath to give her children only the best. But all that changes when an enemy from the past catches up with them. It's finally time to take action - and now, they're done running. Weapons at the ready, Wilson, Jr. and Millie prepare for a final showdown with the murderer who robbed him of a father and her of a husband. Now, in a battle fueled by family ties and blood feuds, it will become very clear what happens when anyone tries to come between this son and his mother.

I was moved by the connection between the mother and sons. Different relationship than the standard father son bond. I would recommend this DVD to rent or buy.

7 out of 12 people found the following review useful:

What would the Flying Spaghetti Monster do?

Author: freakfire-1 from Texas, United States
26 March 2008

I was actually surprised that this was fairly good. It wasn't "good" or "excellent", but it is OK enough to enjoy at some points. Not only that, but it has a storyline that has a nice touch near the end.

The film begins in mid 80s New York, with Wilson and several drug gangsters. He has a knocked up woman and money set aside. But then things get tricky and he winds up dead. The viewer is left wondering "why?".

Thats when it goes to 2007. The child being carried is grown up, has his own woman, but he doesn't know who his father was. Events turn the college student into a man chasing down the past. Eventually things get settled in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico. There young Wilson Jr. discovers his father's secret past and why things are they way they are.

Without ruining why, the plot twist at the end explains one scene that didn't make sense at the beginning. So that was well done. However, some of the characters didn't exactly fit the bill, especially in the scenes outside New York and Connecticut. Plus, the music was all wrong for much of the film.

Some people question "Ana"(Daina Ramirez), the girlfriend of Wilson Jr. She stays with him through the film, but she is seemingly the stereotypical 'damsel'. However, there are many women like that who are soft hearted so I don't have doubts about the character.

With everything said, I think the film is moderately good. So have a look and try it out. Its nothing special, but its good enough to draw your attention. "B-"

1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:

eeehhh

Author: adrianmanzano-35-729508 from United States
17 January 2012

Whats to say about Latino Scorcese reshuffle, lack of originality Cliché after cliché, Over acting, Ridiculous motivations.

Decent use of music.

Is this the best we can do?

how about a filmmaker with the balls. Is there anyone out there? someone who's not gonna cut to the gun.

"but without violence they won't come" maybe. Or at least the gangbangers wont.

But you can try something else that may show a different side life. Something deeper. and Who knows maybe you'll find a voice.

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