Blast Beat

It's grounded in sincere emotion and very thoughtful in its exploration of the American Dream.

The film wants to talk about so many topics, and yet it ends up shortchanging all of them so that it can make for one massive emotional scene after the next.

"Blast Beat" powers through its clichés by cranking up a soundtrack of Synapticide and the Eastside Boyz.

There's plenty of potential here to bring original insights to the immigrant experience, but not enough skill in the plotting or execution to tap into it.

A terrific bilingual debut that keenly scrutinizes the American Dream, those who pursue it vehemently, and the ones who reject it as the sole avenue to fulfillment.

The filmmaking aesthetics start strong, but soon the energy dissipates, and the execution is generally flat.

The sibling rivalry dynamic carries this film along with a unique element not normally associated with a Latino story, metal music. A reminder that Latinos aren't a monolith and the every immigrant story is unique.

The movie has some flaws (including an ending that's just a little too rushed), but Blast Beat overall will make a memorable impression on viewers of this unique immigrant family story.

... establishes some intriguing character dynamics, yet as a broader examination of the immigrant experience, it lacks the depth and nuance to make an impact.

Cluttered with too many ideas, this drama still gets credit for its three-dimensional portrayal of the immigrant experience in America and its love-hate portrait of brothers.