why oh why do people take good material and feel the need to change it some how . have read the book on which this film be allegedly base a couple of year ago and i can say that there be little if anything from the original book . i go into this film with low expectation i know it would have a crappy telemovie feel to it but it even fail to meet these . this be not a prequel the only relationship it have with the original be the name . this be not the story of carlito brigante and it be the story of a totally different character who be give the same name . they have just totally spat in the face of every carlito way fan out there while add insult to injury by cast luis guzman and who play a crucial character in the original movie and in a different role . what most disappointing be that now that this film have be make no other film will be make address the original and untouched material of the book carlito way something i really would have like to have see . i felt the same way about chopper they have four book as well a interview worth of fantastic non fictional material and could have make a brilliant biography of australia most feared underworld figure and instead they make a ho hum film about a deranged but strangely pathetic small time crook ( though eric bana performance be spot on ) . now we will never get to see carlito real initial rise and fall . the three star be because and look at it purely a a stand alone flick and it be not so appalling there be some decent performance ( jay hernandez be no carlito but he could be good in other role ) and the story be not too bad . even puffy comb suit his role . but they totally misunderstand the nature of the underworld at that time ( i be a bit of a crime non fiction buff ) something which the original film and the book get right ( have be write by then attorney and now judge edwin torres ) . the fact be though and it not a stand alone it perhaps the most disappointing prequel ever film .