Rating: 
Summary: God Sent Us
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: THE LIST OF "EXTRAS" IS A LITTLE MISLEADING!
Review: the movie itself is very good, but i think the list of extra features is deceiving. the "documentary" about skinheads and the "making of" sound nice, but it's nothing more than a head-and-shoulders interview with the director...not what most would consider a traditional "documentary". he just basically talks about the homework he did before making the film: collecting 56 hours of interviews from former members of skinhead gangs. HOWEVER, none of these interviews are shared. and it's basically the same story with the "making of". all in all, the extras are not fun at all so don't waste your money if you don't have to.
Rating: 
Summary: Romper Stomper, a look inside a darker life-style.
Review: Romper Stomper is an excellent depiction of the daily life and struggles of a group of Skinheads in Austrailia. The main character, Hando, portrayed by Russel Crowe, guides us on a journey from obscurity to total ruin. It is a taste of the life of a "man mis-understood". If you have seen the video or film, you will be pleased with the remastered DVD, which also features 5.1 Dolby surround sound. The picture is excellent, and allows you to appreciate the work that the director intended to portray. Interviews on the second disc are also enjoyable and informative. I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy the movie, and the sociological questions that it raises in ones mind.
Rating:
Summary: "We're here to destroy everything and ruin your life..."
Review: This is a pretty good movie. Its a ...lot better than "American History X" thats for ...sure. American History X was some ...attempt for Hollywood to shock people and make a quick buck by doing a story they knew would appeal to the masses (racism, the hottest hot button in America this passing Century). But what Romper Stomper does that American History X failed at miserably was that it showed us a more accurate portrail of the lifestyle of the White Supremacist Skinheads. The dialogue, relationships between the characters, and costumes are ten times better and more accurate than anything in American History X. Even the music was better, despite the racist lyrics. The interesting part about this movie was that I found myself rooting for the movies bad guy, played absolutely wonderful by Russel Crowe...
Rating:
Summary: Melodrama, but riveting melodrama
Review: If Romper Stomper was intended to be a warning about the bourgeoning Nazi skinhead movement, it fails miserably, primarily due to the over-the-top silliness that pervades the latter half of the film. That notwithstanding, there's a certain eerie rawness to the story and to the cinematography that prevents one from taking one's eyes off the screen. Romper Stomper translates excellently to DVD. The frenetic camera work, sound, and lives of the characters, are all well suited to the digital medium. Stylistically, the film might be described as a mixture between A Clockwork Orange and Fight Club, if perhaps more nihilistic than either. However, I suspect that the same person who fancied those two films will appreciate this one as well. If you like your films visceral and ugly, definitely check this one out. If, however, you are easily disgusted by violence and graphic sexual images, or if you would simply prefer a more realistic depiction of the Nazi skinhead movement, I would advise you to look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Brutal and wicked yet touching
Review: Romper Stomper is a ball crushing and brutally emotional film that easily ranks along side A Clockwork Orange and Fight Club in its violent visceral impact. The Plot: A Neo Nazi gang is trying to defend their turf in Melbourne, Australia against an invasion of Asian immigrants. Their leader is the intelligent butt kicker Hando (Crowe), who can eloquently muse upon Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf. He has surrounded himself with comrades who may not necessarily share his zeal for White power, but most definitely share his love for destruction. Hando is enraged that his country is being taken over by Asian immigrants that are only there to serve as cheap labor for the rich White pigs. Early on, we are also introduced to Gabe (Jacqueline McKenzie), a young bourgeois epileptic with a drug problem and a father she despises; we learn later that he sexually abused her as a child. She meets Hando in a bar, and the mutual attraction serves mutual needs: hers for a father figure, his for someone to dominate. She is mercilessly--but willingly--drawn into the lifestyle of the Skins. Shot in 16mm, the film makes excellent use of that format's portability, putting the camera right in the middle of thudding fists, Doc Martens, and blood, eschewing traditional camera angles in favor of violent set-ups that leave you feeling winded. It's very effective, an audial metaphor that no amount of discussion could match, a physical dramatization of the sociology. Despite the fact that Romper Stomper won nine awards in Australia, there's been much cry by Liberals regarding the film's grim tone. It is violent, sure, but it's also a genuinely excellent film, touching and beautiful in a wicked sort of way. A bit like real life, really...... The DVD: Finally, someone got into gear and released this to DVD. Romper Stomper is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. While the image is razor sharp, film scratches and debris are ever present. Keep in mind however, that this was a low-budget independent film, and I can't imagine the original source material was immaculately pristine. Romper Stomper features supplemental material on both discs of this 2-DVD set. On Disc 1, along with the movie itself, there is a screen-specific audio commentary by writer/director Geoffrey Wright. Disc 2 offers the bulk of the extras, the focal point being the numerous interview segments. Disappointingly, the DVD box promises a documentary called 'Skinheads: Reality & Fiction', which is, in actuality, not a documentary at all but simply Wright's interview instead: that [isn't good], bigtime.
Rating:
Summary: One of punk rock's best!
Review: This movie is an extremly riviting and revolting account of nazi skinheads. I love that it shows how the world really is.
Rating:
Summary: Not brilliant, but gives food for thought
Review: This movie is loaded with kilos of negative energy: scenes of fights and brawls between Skins and Chinese are really scary because it's real violence, not the cranberry juice sprinkled violence of action movies. All three main characters (Hando, his buddy Davey and doll-faced brat Gabriela) are hard to sympathize with: they are what they are and that's it. Speaking of "love triangle" seriously would be wrong in this film - yes, something like that is present here to move the film along, although what characters express can hardly be called love. And maybe something is wrong with my VCR, but I haven't noticed any "blue haze" the movie is supposed to be shot in, simply that's how the movies looked in 1993. Go search for charismatic Crowe somewhere else - in Romper Stomper he is as attractive as a rabid dog, although his character is sound of body and (relatively) of mind, he's brutal and haughty, but leader in him you can sense from afar (the saunter, the squint, the voice). Funny though, when Hando says, "I want revenge", you'll see Maximus Decimus raising his head in defiance, "I'll have my revenge in this life or next". That only proves Crowe not to be some Aussie upstart, but a person whose talent has remained integral for 10 years. In general, it's a movie to watch for those curious how R Crowe was starting his career, as well as to find out that such far and peaceful country as Australia has its racial problems. Otherwise, it's not an entertaining spectacle: leaves you with unpleasant aftertaste and your faith in human beings and their ability to live in peace strongly undermined.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT MOVIE!!!
Review: FIRST OF ALL, I BOUGHT THIS MOVIE WITHOUT RENTING IT FIRST - DEFINITELY NOT A WASTE OF MONEY!!! IT SHOWS (IN MY OPINION) THE STUPIDITY OF RACIST BELIEFS AND THE VIOLENCE THAT RESULTS FROM THEM. THE ONLY THING THAT COULD HAVE MADE IT BETTER WAS SHOWING A BIT MORE OF THE ASIAN COMMUNITY'S SIDE OF THE MOVIE. THE ONLY SAD THING ABOUT THIS MOVIE IS THE DEATH OF THE ACTOR THAT PLAYS DAVEY (FROM SUICIDE ABOUT A YEAR AFTER THE MOVIE WAS MADE - SEE BIO NOTES ON THE DVD). IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT TO SEE HIM AND RUSSELL CROWE WORK TOGETHER AGAIN OR JUST HIM IN ANOTHER MOVIE.
Rating:
Summary: Food for Thought
Review: Romper Stomper is a dangerous film. Dangerous, because it requires its viewer to think. You can watch the film, about a group of nazi skinheads and their ventures, and treat it like any other action film: Enjoy the action scenes, and sympathize with the leading characters. However, if you start thinking about what you're looking at, you'll find that you're watching a film about the illnesses of society, and what happens when these illnesses are taken to their extreme. The director leaves nothing but hidden hints to guide the viewer, and unlike the common American film (American History X is the obvious example), leaves the entire burden of interpretation on the viewer. Which is pretty much why I think Romper Stomper is a brilliant film. The DVD's technical qualities are far from top notch, leaving an overall "manufactured" feeling. I suspect, though, that this is the director's original intention.
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