This is the comprehensive review of the limited edition collector’s set for the movie Chico & Rita.
To learn more about the movie Chico & Rita, check out Movie Prairie’s movie review. To watch the trailer and for more movie details, check out Chico & Rita’s movie page.
The Special Edition is a collector’s set for the 2012 Academy Award Nominee film Chico & Rita. Above is a picture of my Chico & Rita Special Edition Collection set.
Chico & Rita is an adult animated drama film set in Havana Cuba, New York, and Paris.
Chico & Rita Special Edition Set Amazon Customer Reviews
Below is the breakdown of the customer reviews according to Amazon. Customers give this Special Edition a 4.6 rating out of 5.
Chico & Rita Special Edition Set Product Details
Below are the specific product details shown on Amazon for the Chico & Rita Special Edition.
Features
- The collector’s set includes 3 discs- the DVD, Blu-ray, and the CD soundtrack.
- The collector’s set includes a CD with the full-length Latin Grammy-winning 30 song soundtrack.
- In addition, this collectors set includes hand-picked 16-page excerpts from The New York Times bestselling graphic novel inspired by the story.
- You will also get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, the audio commentary with acclaimed director Fernando Trueba and the U.S trailer.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack features 30 songs from Latin jazz legends like Bebo Valdes, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. Above is a picture of the CD that came in my set.
Songs included are two versions of the song Lily, Chano Pozo and Sabor A Mi. See the full 30 song soundtrack below.
Soundtrack Listing
1. | Cachao Creador Del Mambo (Bebo Valdes & The Big Band) | 0:45 |
2. | Blues For Andre (Bebo’s Blues) (Bebo Valdes & La Chico & Rita Madrid Band) | 4:30 |
3. | Besame Mucho (Bebo Valdés) | 2:05 |
4. | Con Poco Coco (Bebo Valdes & La Chico & Rita Madrid Band) | 2:40 |
5. | Ebony Concerto (Allegro Moderato) (Chico & Rita New York Band & Orchestra) | 1:16 |
6. | Persecucion (Chico & Rita New York Band & Orchestra) | 1:31 |
7. | Celia (Rolando Luna) | 2:24 |
8. | Paran Pan Pan (Georgia Aguirre) | 3:00 |
9. | Sabor A Mi (Bebo Valdés) | 1:16 |
10. | Ay Que Mala E (Rumberos Chico & Rita) | 1:49 |
11. | Sabor A Mi (Instrumental) (Chico & Rita New York Band & Orchestra) | 3:26 |
12. | A Mayra (Desamor And Coda) (Chico & Rita Madrid Band) | 1:49 |
13. | A Mayra (Descarga) (Chico & Rita Habana Band) | 2:04 |
14. | A Mayra (Sad Walk) (Chico & Rita New York Band & Orchestra) | 0:30 |
15. | Chico’s Dream (Chico & Rita New York Band & Orchestra) | 1:23 |
16. | Ecuacion (Bebo Valdes & The Big Band) | 3:27 |
17. | Tin Tin Deo (Chico & Rita Habana Band) | 3:16 |
18. | Chano Pozo (Chico & Rita New York Band & Orchestra) | 0:55 |
19. | Nocturno En Batanga (Bebo Valdes & The Big Band) | 2:44 |
20. | Nocturno En Batanga (Suite Cubana) (Bebo Valdes & The Big Band) | 0:29 |
21. | Love For Sale (Chico & Rita New York Band & Orchestra) | 1:44 |
22. | Love For Sale Reprise (Chico & Rita New York Band & Orchestra) | 0:41 |
23. | Lily (Con Bebo Valdes) (Bebo Valdés) | 1:42 |
24. | Stardust (Lavelle) | 1:18 |
25. | A Mayra (Lily (Instrumental)) (Bebo Valdés) | 2:42 |
26. | Vanguard String (Chico & Rita New York Band & Orchestra) | 0:30 |
27. | Mambo Herd (Chico & Rita Habana Band) | 1:44 |
28. | Deportacion (Chico & Rita New York Band & Orchestra) | 1:30 |
29. | Lily (Con Estrella Morente) (Chico & Rita New York Band & Orchestra) | 5:49 |
30. | La Bella Cubana (Bebo Valdés) | 4:06 |
| Total Album Time: | 63:0 |
Graphic Novel
The Chico & Rita Special Edition collection set includes hand-picked 16-page excerpts from The New York Times bestselling graphic novel inspired by the story. I included a picture of the cover of my graphic novel above.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Based on the amazon reviews, here is a compiled list of the top pros for purchasing the Special Edition collection set of Chico & Rita:
- Visually Stunning Animation: Reviewers consistently praise the animation for its color, depth, and detail, making it a visually captivating experience.
- Unique Storyline: The film offers a unique storyline focusing on an animated romance that stands out from traditional narratives.
- Memorable Soundtrack: The movie features a fantastic soundtrack with great music and fantastic sound quality, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
- Nostalgic and Romantic Atmosphere: Viewers appreciate the nostalgic and romantic atmosphere created by the film, which transports them to another time and place.
- Cultural Representation: Chico and Rita provides a glimpse into Cuban culture and history, celebrating the beauty of the homeland of Cuba through its animation and story.
- Great Value: Some reviewers mention that purchasing the collection set, which includes both the movie and the soundtrack, offers excellent value for money.
- Fast Shipping and Reliable Product: Customers praise the seller for fast shipping and providing a product that meets or exceeds expectations, ensuring a satisfactory buying experience.
- Excellent Product: Overall, reviewers consistently praise the product for its entertainment value, historical insight, and artistic merit.
- Collector’s Item: A great addition for collectors of great movies and music, making it a valuable item to own and share with others.
- Engaging Entertainment for Groups: Suitable for group viewings followed by discussions, making it a versatile and enjoyable option for entertainment.
Cons
Based on the Amazon reviews, here is a compiled list of the top cons for purchasing the collection set of Chico & Rita:
- Not Suitable for Graphic Novel Enthusiasts: The graphic novel/companion may not satisfy typical graphic novel readers as it is more of a novelization/companion to the film rather than a standalone graphic novel.
- Limited Personalization in French Narration: The French narration lacks a bit of personality, which may be a drawback for some readers who prefer more engaging storytelling.
- Limited Story Depth: While the graphic novel/companion captures the imagery and scenery of the film, it may lack the depth of story found in other standalone graphic novels.
- English Narration: Certain scenes did not include subtitles.
Personal Experience
I really enjoy owning the Chico & Rita Special Edition set because of all the added features and bonuses.The film has an incredible blend of animation and latin jazz music, all of which I appreciate being able to own given that there are not many streaming options.
I have been dissatisfied with the lack of features included in recent blu- ray and DVD packaging lately, and this set does not disappoint. It is also nice to have the graphic novel that comes with the special edition set.
I particularly love that it includes the soundtrack composed specifically for the film, which features music from Latin Jazz pianist Bebo Valdés.
I really enjoyed watching the making of the film section, especially the part on the influence that pianist Bebo Valdés had on the music composition, as well as the plot and animation.
Recommendation
I highly recommend purchasing the Special Edition collector’s set for fans of Chico & Rita, Latin music, and Jazz. It includes the Blu-ray, DVD, special features, a graphic novel, behind-the-scenes content, and a full 30-song soundtrack, all for great value.
If you are interested in purchasing the collector’s set, view it on Amazon.
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