Writer-director Gregory Nava
did a great job with showing what Selena really was, wanted and
accomplished. Mr. Nava went to great length to make all the scenes
look authentic and original to what it must have been like when
Selena was growing up. The movie starts out with the record breaking
attendence at Houston's Astrodome concert. It then goes to 1961 when Selena's
father first started the original Los Dinos band. Then quickly goes though
the early years of Selena y Los Dinos. And then jumps to 1989.
Even though the murder of Selena was downplayed
with Yolanda only being present toward the end of the film, the
ending was pretty hard to take. People looking for any information
on how or why of Yolanda's reasons for murdering Selena will not
find it here. This is a movie of Selena's life and not a story
about her death.
Jennifer Lopez
did a superb job in portraying the Queen of Tejano Music. Selecting
a well experienced actress like Jennifer Lopez instead
of someone looking 100% like Selena but not being able to act
was a wise choice.
Jennifer Peña
was the singing voice of the young Selena. Unfortunately, Jennifer
Peña was too old to play the young Selena and of course
too young to play the older Selena. Instead, Becky Lee Meza
played the part of the younger Selena and played her part like
a real pro.
Even though the film is almost
2 hours long, I wish it would have shown more of Selena early
days on the road.
This film is definitely a
"must see" for all Selena fans. You won't be disappointed.
