This movie did not catch my attention at first, but after number of my mates convincing me on watching it, finally i went for the movie. I have to say that this movie was way beyond my expectation. The movie started off with brief introduction of three cousins Paco, Cruz and Miklo who grew up as brothers. One of them Miklo is about to join his other two half brothers into a small time gang called "vartos loco" meaning crazy guys. This gang members would do anything insane enough to impress other fellow members but everything they did were within the limit. Until one day these guys crossed the border of law and it resulted in one of the cousin got a broken leg, another went for national service as punishment and poor Miklo had to make his way to the jail. Miklo was born of Chicano mother and white father. This made him very insure inside the joint as everything there was run by gangs which is nothing similar like what Miklo seen before. The gangs are segregated by skins. The whites called themselves Polar Bears, the latinos', and of course the mighty blacks. Miklo felt the need to join the gang for protection. He wanted to join the latinos' since he felt that they are his family. However, he is not welcomed due to his white skin appearance as well as his blue eyes. Miklo approached La Onda, the latino gang head, he pledge to him that he will do anything to join. La Onda then agreed to bring Miklo into the pack but Miklo had to full fill a requirement. This requirement need Miklo to take one's life in order to join the gang and this is called 'blood in, blood out. Miklo succeeded in his task after a gruesome murder of an 'no good' prison attendant. Soon Miklo became famous of his ability to have contacts with most of the joint members through his illegal betting which runs inside. On the other side, Miklo's cousin Paco joined the law enforcement while Cruz lead a successful life being an artist until he fell into drug addiction and ruining his life. However the story focuses on Miklo and how he gets through well inside the joint. Miklo was later awarded parole. He was happy to accept it and went out of the prison. He found a job but it seems to Miklo that the joint is way better than the outside world. When Miklo went back into San Quentin prison, he found out that his illegal business is taken over by drug dealing by other gang. Miklo really wanted to be on top of the limelight as usual. He then made the big leap. He needed something to happen inside therefore, he can take charge again. As Miklo was planning what to do, the latino head La Onda was murdered. Miklo took this opportunity and created a massive fight among the gangs. Many of the important gang heads were murdered in this clash. Soon when everything back to state of calm, Miklo offered himself to replace the top post in the gang. He called upon another gang member to support him and Miklo told him that La Onda's murder was plan of no other but Miklo himself.
Would say one of my top 5 movies of all time. This actual prison gangs riot story is definitely a must watch.