Miss Bala
User Score
6.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 3 out of 16

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  1. figman5000
    Feb 18, 2012
    2
    This is a movie about a woman who gets wrapped up in a violent, oppressive drug gang and, in the words of another reviewer, "doesn't fight back . . . not even a little." The plot is indeed full of holes, as has been much noted (note a border crossing scene that defies logic), but the bigger problem is that there is not a single moment where our would-be heroine displays any sort of will, creativity, or strength of character--in short, anything that would make her tale worth watching or imbue it with the slightest bit of suspense. Instead, it is an ultimately monotonous tale of a prolonged, merciless assault on an ill-defined character who never has a chance and apparently wouldn't take it she had it. It's painful for her and painful for the audience, who is left with no suspense beyond seeing what awful fate will befall this hapless victim next--like watching a gritty, modern-day Perils of Pauline, but with no one to pull the would-be heroine off the railroad tracks. Realistic, perhaps; interesting, no. For contrast, see Maria Full of Grace, a movie with a similar concept--it's every bit as raw as Miss Bala but actually delivers some human drama. The real casualty here might be Stephanie Sigman, who plays the embattled victim. In the first scenes, her portrayal of a terrified, desperate woman is palpable and stirring. Sadly, she is forced by the script and the director to maintain that mode for the next 90 minutes. It felt like 180.… Expand
  2. Andys_Reviews
    Oct 1, 2012
    7
    A damning indictment on the drugs trade in Mexico, this film highlights the plight of many that fall into the clutches of these gangs. I did enjoy the rough and ready style of filming; you really felt you were right in the heart of the action
  3. wishmaster
    Nov 28, 2011
    7
    Raw, rough, real, showing the ugly side of the coin of the situation that exists in some parts of the world, is in the eyes of laura fear. trying to escape the trauma in a world that is already submerged to the head. recommended
  4. jomamas
    May 18, 2012
    8
    Entertaining, enlightening ... brilliant.

    It's a '1st person' film, with an innocent protagonist, dragged through an ugly reality in much the same way as Alphonso Curion's 'Children of Men'. This is the 'Children of Men' of Mexico.
  5. jamino007
    Oct 15, 2011
    0
    Very slow movie... low quality and also very bad directed... didn't like many of the scenes and the way the director kept filming the actors from behind
  6. JayDiaz
    Nov 9, 2011
    10
    'Miss Bala' is non a commercial movie, neither is a film about drugs cartels and corruption in the Mexican government. This is film about feelings of thousands of normal people in Mexico. Recently in this country, a lot of filmmakers and producers have decided to do projects about â
  7. angelopez93
    Dec 21, 2011
    10
    I was no t really excited about this movie, but I found it really realistic, It can be sad but the reality is not so different at all. The drug dealing in Mexico is anywhere and he film so true that it because I love it. The script is absolutely dynamic.Good performances, Absolutely recommended

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    Jan 27, 2012
    67
    Miss Bala has been praised on the festival circuit for being a gritty look at the Mexican drug trade but too often it seemed like a bargain-bin "Scarface" to me.
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  2. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Walter Addiego
    Jan 26, 2012
    75
    Bala, by the way, means "bullet." Laura Zúñiga, the real-life beauty queen on whom the film is loosely based, was called "Miss Narco" in the Mexican press.
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  3. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Loren King
    Jan 26, 2012
    75
    Miss Bala signals the rise of a director to watch, as Naranjo offers a grim subject with neither flash nor sentiment. It is a sober film done with style.
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