When conservative watchdogs snarl about the ugliness of gangsta rap, Talento de Barrio might be what they picture in their heada vile, stupid, violent-crime drama that would be laughable if its content wasnt so toxic. Drug boss Edgar Dinero (reggaeton star Daddy Yankee, who mostly glowers) prowls the gritty streets of Puerto Rico and dreams of becoming a rapper. Directed limply by Jos Ivn Santiago, Talento de Barrio lustfully idolizes its shallow, gun-toting bad boy, as can be witnessed by the disinterested lip service given to crimes downside and a particularly risible moment when Edgar carts out the old the whole worlds corrupt justification during a brief monologue. Reggaetons success was due to its Latin-influenced reinvention of commercial hip-hops sonic palette, but Yankees vanity project resorts to every rap-music-video clich to tell the umpteenth story of a young tough who has to choose between burgeoning stardom and the reality of the hood. Talento de Barrio sells Yankees fans a fantasy of hot babes, cool cars, and an endless supply of fresh threadsjust so long as you dont get killed first, of course. Which would be a total drag, because then whos gonna buy his records? — Tim Grierson