38 Especial Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

38 Especial Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 27, 2025

Director Miguel Angel Martinez is out to capture the red-hot action of the supercop genre in 1992’s “38 Especial.” It’s a low budget Mexican production that’s mostly interested in balancing sinister business with the rise of a serial killer and the brawny action of police on the hunt, occasionally taking lives and sleeping with those connected to the case. “38 Especial” certainly tries to be of some level of excitement, as Martinez endeavors to keep things active as violence breaks out and confrontations grow heated. It’s not polished or all that commanding, but as a mild distraction with a bit of DIY energy, the feature is passable, perhaps even a bit exciting for viewers absolutely devoted to small-time thrillers.

Commander Quiroga (Fernando Almada) is a man of action, facing danger every single day as he takes on the worst of the worst in Mexico, joined by his partner, Lieutenant Miranda (Julio Resec). Facing the wrath of drug dealers in the city, Commander Quiroga’s attention is turned to something more sinister when a young woman is brutally raped and murdered, putting him on the hunt for suspects and witnesses. Raul (Miguel Angel Martinez) is a man who’s been distorted by physical and mental abuse by his God-fearing mother, growing up to become a danger to society as Christianity clouds his mind, taking his aggression out on local women. Commander Quiroga labors to remain once step ahead of the madman, using radio host Thelma (Nora Torrero) as bait, putting her at risk as the cop tries to set a trap for the killer, who’s losing touch with reality as the slaughter continues.

Raul is connected to a local gang, willing to purchase items they collect from their robberies. One such incident is detailed in the opening of “38 Especial,” as the goons make the day miserable for people riding in a commuter fan, stripping them of money and jewelry. For one of the victims, Ana, the day of horror is only just beginning. She’s viciously attacked inside her apartment after a testy date night with her boyfriend, activating Raul’s brutality as he stabs her with a ring size mandrel, also sexually assaulting the dying woman. Martinez isn’t taking it easy on his characters in the movie, establishing the serial killer’s viciousness. He also illuminates Raul’s home life, returning to an apartment he shares with his mother, who’s consumed by thoughts of God’s heavenly punishment, making sure to offer some to her son.

Commander Quiroga is also established as a man of action, storming a gang compound to wipe out the bad guys, joined in battle by Miranda, who tries to keep up with law enforcement power. Martinez doesn’t have much money to spend, but the helmer loves the potential for action, staging several gunfights and a few chases along the way, working with weaponry and bloodshed to butch up the viewing experience. It’s effective in some ways, easily more interesting than the story driving “38 Especial,” which attempts to make a dramatic mess of Raul’s mission of death, and there’s a subplot featuring Miranda, who’s been ordered to protect Thelma, but decides to have sex with her. While this development should greatly complicate the investigation, “38 Especial” doesn’t follow such potential, soon returning to a cat and mouse game that’s not as suspenseful as Martinez would like it to be.

38 Especial Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "38 Especial" is listed as "newly transferred and restored from the best quality archival tape master." Originally shot on film, the feature is offered video quality on the Blu-ray, and fine detail isn't going to be found. A general sense of frame information is present, handling character appearances and locations. Exteriors are passably deep. Color is aged but understood, handling hues on period style and makeup additions. Locations offer some greenery, and blood remains red. Delineation is acceptable. Source has wear and tear, and a few stretches of color fluctuation.

38 Especial Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA provides a simple understanding of dialogue exchanges, finding dubbed performances not sharp, but intelligible, fighting elements of age and technical limitations. Scoring is also basic, maintaining synth support. Points of damage are present, especially around the hour mark.

38 Especial Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historian Pedro Paunero Gonzalez.

• "The Mexican King of Home Video" (10:28, HD) is an interview with director Miguel Angel Martinez, who held no desire to become an "aesthetic cinema artist" while beginning his career in the 1980s. Previously studying to become a lawyer, Martinez didn't have the stomach to deal with the ugly side of the courts, changing focus to moviemaking, as his father (Arturo Martinez) was an actor "from The Golden Age of Mexican Cinema." Launching a business with his spouse, the interviewee began making cheap 16mm features, and while possessing no technical training, he fell into a career as a cinematographer as well, becoming an in-demand name. The race was on to provide product for the home video market, putting Martinez on a quest to organize and recycle as many contacts as possible, allowing him to keep working. The production process for "38 Especial" is recalled, and Martinez highlights casting, themes, and technical achievements.

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

38 Especial Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"38 Especial" is a bit odd, as it commences with some gusto, detailing horrible crimes and the hyper-masculine men out to stop a killer on the loose. However, tension doesn't develop, and the war between justice and crime tends to peter out by the last act. Perhaps Martinez doesn't have enough here for a movie, but he does have enthusiasm for supercop cinema, and that provides plenty of entertainment value for the endeavor. Shots are fired, squibs are triggered, and a killer uses a jeweler's tool to dispatch his victims. There's some nuttiness to appreciate, even if the picture as a whole doesn't exactly provide a supercharged viewing experience.