Customer Reviews

Romper Stomper

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

An extremly intense film, Romper Stomper pulls no punches. Shot in a kind of artsy blue haze, the movie revolves around a group of Neo-Nazi skinheads who are attempting to fight off a flood of Vietnamese immigration into Melbourne, Australia. The group is lead by 'Hando' - A strong and charismatic leader played by Russell Crowe. Crowe is amazing as he manages to convey a sence vulnerability beneath his uncompromising anger. A scene in which Crowe qoutes parts of Adolf Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' is mesmerizing. Things begin to disolve, however, when a love triangle begins between Hando, his girlfriend Gabe (Jaqueline McKenzie) and Hando's best friend Davey who is portrayed very low-key by Daniel Pollock. The situation is compounded when an attack on some Vietnamese immigrants back fires and the Skins are forced to defend themselves against a raging mob of immigrants resulting in the loss of their home.

Writer/Director Geoffry Wright came under attack by Leftist critics for not hitting everyone over the head, like American History X, with an anti-racist civics lesson - His position comes across as neutral. Indeed, one can almost sympathize with the group as they are convinced Australia's future depends on its racial and cultural purity.

Without a doubt, this movie is worth owning.

ROMPER STOMPER, the debut film of former film critic Geoffrey Wringht, stars Russell Crowe, in his break-out role, Daniel Pollock, who died in post-production in a heroin induced train "accident", and Jacqueline McKenzie, in her feature film debut. ROMPER STOMPER is the story of Hando (Crowe) and his gang of Mein Kamf spouting, violent, thug, neo-nazi skinheads, including his best mate Davey (Pollock). The gang lives in deep poverty in an abandoned warehouse, eating pathetic meals and drinking like sailors (not to mention swearing like them as well). Hando soon becomes involved with a young drug addicted ecliptic girl, Gabe (McKenzie). When the gangs secondary hangout, a local bar, is purchased by a Vietnamese immigrant and his sons, the gang starts an intense turf war resulting in the most violent, realistic 20 minutes fight scene in cinematic history. Once the cops come onto the gangs tail Hando leads them in a quest for money and guns, to get revenge on the Vietnamese community. During this sequence of events, Davey and Gabe become friends and soon more then friends resulting in a distorted love triangle. Rated NC-17 when first released this is one of the most provocative, intense, powerful films of the 90's. A stunning directional debut from Wright and an equally stunning acting job by Crowe.

The DVD's bonus feature's were so myriad that it took 2 discs to hold them all. Included is a talking track by Geoffrey Wright, in which he discusses about the filming of ROMPER STOMPER and interesting tid-bits about particular scenes as they appear on screen. Also included on the first disc is a music track where the nazi punk rock songs, excellently composed by Clifford White, can be heard alone.

On the second disc their is the theatrical trailer for the film, which is in my humblest oppinion the best trailer I've seen (it actually made me want to see the film again that night). There are the written reviews of major publications promoting the film and discussing how amazing and powerful it is. Biographies of all involved with project are included as well as over 60 minutes of interviews from 1992 when the film was first released and over 30 minutes of interviews with Geoffrey Wright from 2000, reflecting on the film and it's impact on society. As well as all those features a demonstration of how the film was restored from the first American edition of the film, which had 1/4 of the film cut of from sight and had the look of a 1940's television program. Finally there is a track of photographs from the film displayed accompanied by interesting facts about the film, it's battle with censorship, and about the stars of the film.

All in all a fabulous film, and a fabulous assortment of extras make this DVD a 5 star (if not 6 star) hit.

While I loved the digital widescreen transfer of this film (so much better than VHS), I do have a bone to pick with this DVDs' producers.

This "Special Edition" DVD advertises on it's back cover a pair of documentaries...one about Skinheads and the other (it would seem) regarding the making of the film. On the surface this sounds like a great deal - something unexpected for such a small film. But after you've cracked the case - watched the feature you bought it for - you'll come to find out that the two "documetaries" that are listed to be on Disc 2 are actually interview topics with director Geoffery Wright. No documentaries. No lie.

Well, that's unless you're talking about Fox, it's producer.

It's sad when a sale closing device, like the DVD special feature is either abused or badly mishandled. While the movie is well-worth the price of the disc, it is a letdown when the cool stuff you've been looking forward to actually turns out to be bogus.

I rented "Romper Stomper" a few years ago and recently this DVD edition has been available at Wal-Mart for under $8. It lacks all the extra features except the commentary and cuts out some of the more explicit sex scene shots by using a zoomed in pan-and-scan effect. Regardless of the content in this scene this is just a bad altering of the original film and I don't buy a film to get a broadcast TV look. Buy the other edition if you can find it.

I hesistated for quite a while before viewing this film. I do not seek violent movies (I hated "A Clockwork Orange") but I am not afraid of violence (I love "Braveheart", "Gladiator). But I am also a film student of long ago, and recently I've become mesmerized by Russell Crowe and have sought out his work. If you know anything about Russell Crowe, you have to know that this film is considered by many to be the film that launched him on the career path that ultimately led to Maximus and the Academy Award. So, what did a good Crowe "student" like me do? I finally bought this DVD. And to my great surprise, I do not regret it for one moment. I actually like this film and as a student of film, was challenged and excited watching how Geoffrey Wright put this film together.

This film is, quite frankly, compelling to watch. The music has a great "urban" quality that stands out and is perfect for this film. The performances are good and once again, I am floored by Russell Crowe's ability to command the screen, bring you into his character, and make you want to know him. His talent at finding the way to convey someone's inner soul -- a turn of the head, a stare, a small movement, and the eyes -- there's always something behind those eyes that just compells me to watch him even when someone else is on the screen. I should have hated Hando, and instead I pitied him. And isn't that what Geoffrey Wright wanted? Many have mentioned a lack of a "moral center" when in fact every member of Hando's group suffers a justified fate -- WHAT COULD BE MORE MORAL THAN THAT? Geoffrey Wright PUSHES us into Hando's (Crowe) violent, hate-filled world, but he also shows us the loneliness and the stupidity of that world. His characters are given to us, to think about as we will, and when he merely shows us what their hatred breeds, we're allowed to look down on them from the hills above and watch them as they die on the beach. No speeches, just their fate.

If I had to criticize anyone, unfortunately, it would have to be Davey's character (not the actor). I thought Wright made him a little too sympathetic and he seems so opposite of Hando.

I am still surprised at my reaction to this film (just so you know, I don't like EVERY Russell Crowe movie...). I will watch this movie again, and the violence of this film, while disturbing to watch, is not repulsive.

P.S. The DVD Menu is just about the best menu I have ever seen. It moves in a 3-dimensional way that I just love to watch!

I thought Romper Stomper was great. It worked as a documentary in way that it exposed a different side of Australian culture. But it also has an interesting unpredictable plot with the Asians getting revenge on the skin heads and the love triangle between Hando Gabe and Davie. Acting is superb particularly from Jacqueline McKenzie, Russel Crowe, and Daniel Pollock who sadly died from a drug overdose before the film's release. It is an action/drama which works on many levels. It is brilliantly directed by Geoffrey Wright and while it is quite violent, turns out to be an incredibly interesting film.

The new double DVD from FOX of "ROMPER STOMPER" is a welcome presentation of this 1992 skinhead flick. The film has never looked better in this anamorphic 1.85:1 UNRATED version. The Pan and Scan VHS releases were really quite bad and washed out (and this DVD lets you compare the old prints to this newly mastered WS version and it's a revelation!). Even if you didn't care too much for the film previously, there's no denying that the DVD offers a whole new viewing experience. The movie itself is a somewhat hit & miss, but the parts that work are very effective. The harrowing assault on the skinheads' retreat by the seemingly endless Vietnamese attackers is high suspense at it's most extreme. Other moments seem more fabricated such as the love triangle and the somewhat calculated and inevitable ending. Still, it's an interesting indy film that's definitely worth a look.

The double DVD features the movie on disc 1 with a commentary track by director Wright. Disc 2 is the "Extras" disc and it's a mixed bag... first off, the DVD touts a "Documentary called 'Skinheads - Reality and Fiction'" --- There is no such "documentary" on this DVD. It's just a 10 minute segment of director Wright discussing skinhead culture, etc. to an interviewer -- that's it! Amazingly DECEPTIVE advertising on Fox's part, I must say. There are also other Wright interview segments labeled subjects such as "Making the movie" which is also listed on the DVD case to make it seem as if it's a featurette --- but NOPE, it's just more talking by Wright as he sits there for 30 minutes. Why not just listen to the commentary track instead??? Maybe the most interesting extra is where you can compare clips from the newly mastered film side by side with the old VHS version. Besides that, there are some 1992 interviews of Wright and Crowe upon the film's release and some production notes, etc., but it's really kind of a letdown as far as "extra discs" go, especially since the case makes it seem like there will be lots of cool stuff on it. Scam! Buy it anyway, though, for the movie alone.

I initally bought this film because I had just seen Russell Crowe in Gladiator and wanted to see more of his work, and I'm glad I did. This film is an absolute must see. It's not an film easy to watch, indeed sometimes you may well find yourself disgusted by the behaviour of the characters. It challenges you to think about what Crowe and his gang believe in and why.

Russell Crowe's performance is fantastic, his face so expressive that, in some cases, he doesn't even have say anything for you to know exactly what he is thinking. Whilst his character (Hando), is a complete hard-case, we do get to see his softer side on occassion, this is a good thing because other-wise Hando isn't a very likable character.

Gabe his sort-of-girlfriend puts in a fine performance, which she needed to playing opposite such a strong character as Hando, and holds up well.

Don't expect to see Maximus here, but if you're a female fan and have often asked yourself "I wonder exactly what Russell Crowe looks like in his Y fronts?" Then this is the film for you!

Filmed in gut-wrenching 16mm with a hand held, this is a courageously unsparing film of a neo-Nazi skinhead gang in Melbourne (Australia) obsessed with the danger they perceive in the growing population of Vietnamese immigrants.

Although it has been criticized for "glorifying" skinheads and not taking a moral position against them, neither criticism is really well-founded.

It is clear that the director and the actors made a great effort to get inside the characters, to make them human beings -- however repulsive -- and not simply caricatures. Still, the skinhead lifestyle depicted is mean, mindless, unromantic and, ultimately, pointless. Which becomes clear at the end when the leader (brilliantly played by Crowe) commits one final act of brutal bullying. What was their message really?

Also, for all their posturing, they are mindless bullies, ganging up on isolated victims, and they are completely undone when faced with victims who join forces and fight back with the same intensity. By the end, all but one of the gang members is in jail or dead, which seems to me to be a pretty powerful moral statement.

It is surely not perfect but it features genuinely terrifying performances of men totally twisted and misshapen by hatred, frustration and fear, yet capable of genuine affection and tenderness towards their best friends.

I recommend renting this out if you have some appetite for gore and unflinching visuals.

An unapologetic, masterful portrait of skinheads in Australia. We meet the skinheads at their "peak" under the leadership of the patriachal figure Hando, and follow their selfdestruction to its chilling and logical conclusion. The contradictions within the group are amusing and horrifying by turns - spouting nationalistic pride while refusing to get a job, blaming foreigners for the decline of white society while vandalising local businesses. In the midst of social turmoil is the love story of Gabe, Hando, and his best friend. Gabe is an abused runaway desperate for any kind of family that will take her in, Hando is a brilliant young leader angry with the world, and his buddy is tagging along just because he always has.
Don't look for a moral statement here - the story is what it is. basically it is a statement of truth.