“Feel the Noise” produced by Puerto Rican recording artist and movie star, Jennifer Lopez, provides 86 minutes of pure, corny fun. This is a story of a young African- American-and-Puerto-Rican-mix aspiring rapper, Rob (Omarion Granberry) who lives with his mother in Harlem and dreams of becoming a rap star.
Eventually, he gets to perform but someone takes a shot at him. Rob’s mother decides it’s time for him to hide out for a while… in Puerto Rico with a father Rob’s never met and wants nothing to do with.
Stranded on the island, Rob is forced to bond with his new family. His father (Giancarlo Esposito) is thrilled to have Rob in his life. Little does Rob know that his father was one of the best Puerto Rican musicians of his time, but will no longer play because he is afraid of falling once again into drugs and alcohol abuse. He believes that was why he lost Rob as a baby.
Rob rejects his father’s kind-hearted efforts to get to know him and instead clings to his stepbrother, Javi (Victor Rasuk). Discovering Javi’s love for reggaetón (a mix of hip hop, reggae and Latin rhythms), the two newfound brothers create a demo combining Rob’s rap lyrics, Javi’s beats, and the familiar sound of the traditional Puerto Rican coqui bird.
What would a quintessential, aspiring-rapper drama be without an aspiring dancer girlfriend? Enter C.C. (Zulay Henao), born in New York and raised in Puerto Rico, the saucy dance instructor and performer steals Rob’s heart. Then she finds him a studio to record his demo in, a music producer and arranges a trip home in hopes of Rob becoming famous. She, too,is promised a dancing career in music videos by her new found producer friend. But to no surprise, the music producer wants to change the sound of Javi and Rob’s demo when they arrive in the Big Apple and his only plan for C.C. is that she become a singer and oh, yes, his mistress.
The final dramatic set of scenes show Rob and Javi leave their music producer, C.C. kick her molesting producer’s butt, and then a reunion of the three at the annual New York City Puerto Rican parade. With the help of local and (famous in real life) Puerto Rican musical group, Voltio, Rob and Javi are asked to perform at the parade and no doubt propel their dreams into careers. However, there is not a movie without a father-son reunion, and yes, it’s in this one, too. With one encouraging glance from C.C., who is in the audience, Rob shows his rapping skills and Javi, his beats. Finally as Puerto Rican flags are waving furiously in every hand eager for the debut performance to begin, we see Rob’s father enter and begin wailing on the bongos.
Mimicking other aspiring-rap-star-and-dancer movies such as “8 Mile,” “Hustle and Flow” and “Honey,” “Feel the Noise” falls short with its non-famous cast. Short-lived R&B group, B2K, lent its lead singer as the lead in the movie, Rob. Although the ethnicity of actor Grandberry isn’t known, some audiences were not pleased with the movie’s portrayal of a lead actor who didn’t appear Puerto Rican enough.
The small audience of about 30 people on opening night in Denver doesn’t bode well for the movie, but vigorous head bobbing from viewers at the eruptions of addicting reggaetón beats may provide other success for the soundtrack. The director should also be praised for his gorgeous and very real environment shots of Puerto Rico. The contrast he provides in landscape and culture with scenes of New York City proves fascinating. If you are in the mood for a predictable, pop, flick with a catchy soundtrack, a look at Puerto Rican culture and some humorously bad acting skills, “Feel the Noise” is for viewers like you.
