Whenever you can track down the original cut or watch the much more available 'Reloaded' edition, 'Cocaine Cowboys' is a fascinating piece about the powder keg explosion that was cocaine to the United States. Both versions are "talking heads" style of docs, but I can tell you this update is not just a cash-in. Has a tighter overall package. Better editing. Interviews, snippets, soundbites are expanded on or allowed the necessary time to breath, fully flesh out the violence & horror.
Bad cops, good cops, successful smugglers, corrupt banks, Colombian hitmen and the array of innocent people caught in the blast radius. Many movies, tv shows have used this real piece of history for their backdrops and while some is bound to be known to seasoned viewers, there's also many new nuggets. Everyone knows about the Mariel boatlift, how it affected things, but did you know about Arthur McDuffie or a plot to murder a senator? 2.5 hours is a good chunk of time and it's loaded with tons of info, finely edited into a complete package here.
If you want a peek into drug smuggling with scary, sometimes smart characters this is your meal ticket. It's an interesting subject worth a watch and this covers it all from every angle without feeling sensational or cutting corners. Director, creator Billy Corben would follow up with a subpar sequel 'Hustlin' With the Godmother' solely focused on Griselda Branco that already gets done justice here. Also a third entry 'Kings of Miami' that I thought was a return to form although the original is still the best.
