User Reviews

IN A NUTSHELL: While visiting family in Mexico, teenage Alex gains an unlikely companion when he discovers a young chupacabra hiding in his grandpa’s shed. To save the mythical creature, Alex and his cousins must work together with their grandfather who was a famous Lucha Libre fighter. The cute movie was directed by Jonas Cuaron Elizondo, who is the son of the Academy Award winner, Alfonso Cuaron! Writers were Sean Kennedy Moore, Joe Barnathan, and Marcus Rinehart. THINGS I LIKED: While the story steals heavily from movies like ET, it’s still extremely adorable and perfect viewing for all ages. The CGI animals are pretty doggone cute. The cast includes adult and young Mexican actors I had never seen before. The one face that will definitely be recognizable to many viewers is American actor Christian Slater. It’s good to see him in something again. I thought it was cute to mix in a little fun, Mexican culture like luchadors and certain foods like chorizo, and brain tacos (sesos de vaca.) Yes, Mexicans really do put cow brains in tacos! I was an exchange student in Mexico back in high school when I first discovered that. My Mexican family ordered one for me from a street vendor and wouldn’t tell me what was in the taco until I tasted it. I readily admit I liked it more before I knew what it was. EESH! The musical score is fun and magical. The movie does a great job illustrating how lonely it can feel to be an outsider. Isn’t it a shame that kids and teens are so quick to dismiss others who are unusual, rather than realize that they’re often the most interesting? THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE: The title is controversial because it means something “indelicate” in both Spanish and Tagalog. The “villain” is pretty hollow. It’s yet one more movie where Americans are greedy and want to make a buck off of nature and animals. TIPS FOR PARENTS: Talk of the death of a father A lot of Spanish is spoken with subtitles. An underage kid drives a car. Some “light” profanity in English and Spanish People in perilous sitations Some violence

“Wholesome” is a term my generation uses to describe meaningful and well-intentioned experiences in our lives. As we’ve grown up, there have been fewer of these moments, as mainstream media has become littered with self-centered and radically opinionated narcissists. Every now and then, a gem of valuable human effort can be found in our society, and “Chupa” is an excellent example. This movie has all the hallmarks of flawless Hollywood: great casting, a well written script, beautiful cinematography and a good plot. Its focus is on younger viewers, and it excels in providing wisdom, emotion and entertainment to that specific audience. This wonderful film contains none of the divisive content that has come to litter our media in every form and fashion, and thus remains one of the few experiences today that parents won’t have to worry about presenting to their children. Controversial issues such as race, sexuality, identity, and their endless political stances are ignored in “Chupa”, a moral choice by director Jonás Cuarón, which is becoming rarer and rarer in an industry hell bent on either lecturing you or leaving a good social impression. This movie will be more comfortably received by Spanish speakers, as nearly half its lines are in that language. However, those intrepid viewers who are willing to overcome the frustration of subtitles are rewarded with the quintessential Mexican experience: everything from scenic views, socials interactions and the delicious food of Mexico and its people. In conclusion: if you want to reminisce about the wholesome films of your childhood, but also see something new, or maybe you have kids and want to take them to the movies, or safely plop them down in front of the television (without having to give an hour lecture about race or gender afterwards), then this film is for you!

This movie is awesome. Ignore all these whiners. Great feel good film. Well done all around. Especially Demian Bichir. Chupa was adorable. Some good family & heritage lessons. Loved it.

I currently have to watch this sh()t with my GF and I wish the electricity or internet to crash so that I won't have to watch anymore. This is so outrageously bad. Please someone kill me.

I know this is for kids, but it doesn't mean it has to be that bad. The acting is terrible, and the story couldn't be more generic. There are some nice Mexican references, but the film's atmosphere is very plastic. Too bad they didn't explore for real the myth around the chupacabra.