Romper Stomper
2/4
Starring: Russell Crowe, Daniel Pollock, Jacqueline McKenzie
Rated R for Brutality and Violence, Sexuality and Language
Premiere said this was one of "The 25 Most Dangerous Movies." James Berardinelli said it is impossible to watch this movie and not be affected. I was expecting something that was absolutely punishing to watch, on par with "Once Were Warriors," or more appropriately, "American History X." Instead, I got...this.
"Romper Stomper" is the definition of mediocre. The direction has a fierce energy, particularly in the fight scenes (one of which, the main one, goes on far too long), but the story is thin and the characters are two-dimensional at best. That's not to say that the performances aren't strong, which they are. It's just that the actors aren't given much to work with.
Hondo (Crowe) is the ringleader of a gang of skinheads. They resent people of Asian descent, whom they view as intruding on their turf. When the reprisal from one of their attacks goes south, Hondo, his best friend Davey (Pollock, who killed himself shortly before the film was released), and Gabe (McKenzie), the girl he picked up at the pub, and their friends go on the run.
As far as plot goes, that's pretty much it. Same for character development. Hondo is a hothead, Davey is a quiet romantic, and Gabe is an epileptic. Apart from that, there's not much more to any of them; and the other characters are so undeveloped that the only character whose name I can recall is Bubs (James McKenna) because he's the kid who tags along with the other guys.
The film was written and directed by Geoffrey Wright. The film looks great, but that's it. It has all the makings of a great movie except a good script.
Movies like this are the hardest to review. They're so empty that there's really nothing that I can say about it.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Daniel Pollock, Jacqueline McKenzie
Rated R for Brutality and Violence, Sexuality and Language
Premiere said this was one of "The 25 Most Dangerous Movies." James Berardinelli said it is impossible to watch this movie and not be affected. I was expecting something that was absolutely punishing to watch, on par with "Once Were Warriors," or more appropriately, "American History X." Instead, I got...this.
"Romper Stomper" is the definition of mediocre. The direction has a fierce energy, particularly in the fight scenes (one of which, the main one, goes on far too long), but the story is thin and the characters are two-dimensional at best. That's not to say that the performances aren't strong, which they are. It's just that the actors aren't given much to work with.
Hondo (Crowe) is the ringleader of a gang of skinheads. They resent people of Asian descent, whom they view as intruding on their turf. When the reprisal from one of their attacks goes south, Hondo, his best friend Davey (Pollock, who killed himself shortly before the film was released), and Gabe (McKenzie), the girl he picked up at the pub, and their friends go on the run.
As far as plot goes, that's pretty much it. Same for character development. Hondo is a hothead, Davey is a quiet romantic, and Gabe is an epileptic. Apart from that, there's not much more to any of them; and the other characters are so undeveloped that the only character whose name I can recall is Bubs (James McKenna) because he's the kid who tags along with the other guys.
The film was written and directed by Geoffrey Wright. The film looks great, but that's it. It has all the makings of a great movie except a good script.
Movies like this are the hardest to review. They're so empty that there's really nothing that I can say about it.
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