Watch King Rikki

King Rikki is a crime drama movie from 2002 directed by James Gavin Bedford, starring Jon Seda, Mario Lopez, and Tonantzin Carmelo. Set within the Los Angeles Latino community, the story follows a gangster named Rikki Ortega (Jon Seda) who becomes the 'king' of the barrio after defeating its former leader in a bloody street fight. But soon he realizes the meaninglessness of his violent life and decides to turn his back on the past and seek a way to redemption.

The movie opens with a scene where a group of gangsters led by Rikki, armed with guns and knives, drive through the city streets looking for someone to rob. The scene is chaotic and violent, with loud music and quick cuts between different action sequences. This sets the tone for the movie, which is characterized by its fast pace, intense action, and gritty realism.

Rikki is the leader of a gang called the Outlawz, which controls the drug trade in the area. But he is not satisfied with just being a kingpin; he wants to be the 'king' of the neighborhood. This ambition leads him to challenge the barrio's former king, Santana (Mario Lopez), a tough and merciless gangster who is feared by all. The two face off in a brutal street fight that leaves Santana dead and Rikki the new king of the barrio.

As Rikki takes over the neighborhood, he realizes the harsh realities of living a life of crime. He is constantly on the lookout for rival gangs and the police, who are always trying to bring him down. He also has to deal with the consequences of his actions, such as the death of his best friend and the betrayal of his own gang members. All these events take a toll on Rikki's conscience, and he begins to question his life choices.

Rikki finds solace in a young woman named Miranda (Tonantzin Carmelo), who works at a community center and helps disadvantaged youth. Miranda is a kind and caring person who has a deep belief in the power of forgiveness and redemption. She sees something in Rikki that others do not, and slowly begins to influence him towards a better path.

Despite his efforts to change, Rikki's past catches up with him. He is arrested and sent to prison for his crimes, leaving Miranda behind. But even behind bars, Rikki decides to turn his life around. He becomes involved in a prison rehabilitation program and starts to mentor other inmates, inspiring them to find a way out of their criminal lives.

The movie ends on a hopeful note, with Rikki being released from prison and reuniting with Miranda. He has found a new purpose in life and is determined to help others avoid the mistakes he has made. He has left his past behind and is ready to start anew.

Overall, King Rikki is a powerful and engaging drama that tackles important issues such as gang violence, poverty, and redemption. The movie features strong performances by its lead actors, with Jon Seda delivering a standout performance as the conflicted gangster Rikki. The film's realistic depiction of life in the barrio is both gritty and authentic, with the use of real locations and the inclusion of actual gang members adding to the film's realism. King Rikki is a must-see movie for fans of crime dramas, and anyone interested in the complex and often tragic lives of gang members.

King Rikki is a 2002 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.6.