Lowriders Blu-ray Review

Danny is a young street artist who considers all of Los Angeles his canvas. He frequently risks arrest as he paints incredible murals on bridges and buildings alike. When his older brother is released from prison, past family tensions return to the surface.

Danny’s father is a legend in the lowrider community and plans to enter his pride and joy “Green Poison” in the local show, hoping to drum up business for his shop. Danny’s brother Ghost builds a competing car but when he loses out, he sends thugs to destroy Green Poison and his father is shot. Danny breaks out of his street art mold and creates a one-of-a-kind car that finally brings prosperity to his family.

Lowriders has the opportunity to present an interesting look into the lowrider and street art sub-culture but falls a little flat thanks to slow pacing and a story that only engages towards the end. That part is, at least, satisfying, but you’ll need to invest about an hour to get there.

Along the way are a few sub-plots that don’t add much to the film. The family dynamic is well-portrayed by the principal actors but it’s an element we’ve seen in hundreds of previous movies.

I would have loved to see more about the art of graffiti and the creation of the amazing lowrider cars which get some nice screen time late in the film. Lowriders is worth a rental or download but I wouldn’t watch it more than once.

The image is rendered in mainly natural colors but covered by a warm, filtery haze that robs clarity. It seems like focus is the culprit rather than film grain or artifacts which are not present. Contrast is well-executed with deep blacks and a mainly bright picture.

Audio is competent but nothing special. Dialog is crisp and well-placed in the front soundstage. There is little need for the subwoofer or surround channels.

Viewers hoping for more insight into the art and culture of Lowriders will be disappointed by the bonus features which total less than four minutes. You get three shorts that just scratch the surface of the characters and story. A good opportunity has been missed here.