i watch this movie and the original carlitos way back to back . the difference between the two be disgust . now i know that people be go to say that the prequel be make on a small budget but that never have anything to do with a bad script . now maybe it just me and but i always think that a prequel be make to go set up the other movie and star key character and maybe fill in a bit about life that we do not know . rise to power be just a movie that have carlito name . there should have be at least a few character from the original movie and the end make no sense in relation to the original . in the end of this movie he retire with his sweet heart but how the hell do we get him come out of prison in the next movie . and his woman isn not even the same woman that he talk about a his only love in the original . i would say the movie be mildly entertaining in it self and with a few decent bit but it pal when hold up to it big brother . don not lay awake at night wait to see this and watch the original one more time if you really need a hit .