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Romper Stomper (Special Edition)

Romper Stomper (Special Edition)

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Russell Crowes break out role.
Review: Hard film to watch, very graphic. But Russell did a fantastic job in this role, I am now convinced after seeing the majority of his films that he could play just about any role there is and make it believable. If you like his other films, such as Gladiator, Insider, you will definitely appreciate his performance in this film.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A correction
Review: Good film, great DVD translation.
An earlier reviewer referred to National Action being an Australian neo-nazi party. This is not the case however. National Action party ideology is in fact opposed to nazism. Its a common tactic of the liberal media to refer to anyone who opposes the establishment (which implements many nazi laws) as a neo-nazi. For example, Nazi germany was the first country to introduce gun registration, and they also had many laws restricting free speech (just like Australia today).

I wish there was more films today like this that brought public attention the worldwide problems we are facing. Reccomended.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Skinheads
Review: While I can sympathize with the skinhead ideology of racial survival I think this movie gives a pretty accurate portrayal of the misguided skin-lifestyle.
As Australia becomes flooded with non-white immigration and suffers a displacement of its peoples, it seems the only response these guys can come up with is drinking and beating up little Vietnamese kids.
Russell Crowes character obviously has a head on his shoulder and his bravery is commendable yet he never shows any real resourcefulness and his tactics would only scare other white people away from his all-too-important message.
By ignoring the importance of building up character Crowe's character surrounds himself with fools and a traitorous girlfriend. The fact is none of them really believe in anything.
As far as the film itself, it's good. A lot of violence but I didn't mind so much because that's the reality of multiracial societies.
A sad story. What makes it even sadder is that it's accurate.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: ANOTHER reviewer from Australia
Review: This is a truly great film. The version I saw on release and subsequently in Australia would seem to be a cut version -- the american version has some scenes which I did not remember...
Contrary to what the other reviewer from Australia said, there are neo-nazi skinhead gangs in Australia, or at least there were at the time this movie was made. One need only visit the Hotel in Adelaide in the early 90s to see them. There are documented cases of skinhead violence in Adelaide, Melbourne, and no doubt other cities as well, and they were closely linked to a political party called 'National Action' at that time. The leader of National Action -- Michael Brandon? -- was a history student at Flinders University, and was so hated by other students that he had to be escorted by bodyguards so he could attend classes, as an anarchist student had once chased him across campus trying to attack him with a claw-hammer. Neo-Nazi groups were also active in Perth and Brisbane at that time. I'm not sure where the reviewer got his facts. We had them on the 6 o'clock news giving hitler salutes (including the National Action leader's Spanish mother -- a supporter of Franco who migrated with her boys to Australia in 1976) at protests against multiculturalism in the early 90s. Presumably the rightward shift of australian politics since 1996 has deprived them of their popular base.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A classic Australian film
Review: This is the film which began Russell Crowe's career and it is a classic. Powerful, haunting, it gives a fascinating insight into a misunderstood subculture. Those (including the earlier review by Hoin Jumlos) who dismiss it as racist are missing the point. Romper Stomper makes no judgements. Especially appealing is the muted colour grading used in the film. Although it has the form of a documentary be warned - this film is wholly fiction, nothing more. There are very few neo-nazi gangs in Australia anymore despite an outrageously liberal, open door immigration policy and despite skinhead-style haircuts being popular among Australian males. Romper Stomper contains a warning to politicians tempted to winch up the immigration rate beyond what the community is prepared to accept - as ye sow ye shall reap. We've seen the results in the form of drug dealing, contract killings, ethnic gang violence, SARS, suburban shootouts and terrorism threats. And the gangs featured in Romper Stomper are part of that bitter harvest.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: one of Russell Crowe's Best
Review: This film is amazing the music isnt that great but the performances and direction make up for it. This is by far one of Russell Crowe's best films and is a very good showcase of hate,friendship,and betrayel. This film is only for adults the DVD is the unrated version and has extremely graphic sex scenes and Brutal violence. The film was first rated NC-17 and than they change it to unrated with a adults only simble on the add. This film is one of the best films of the 90'es and is a great adults only film.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Violent/Simple/But Good
Review: The powerhouse performance of Russell Crowe is the only reason to see this film. In my opinion, its his best performance to date (Gladiator? No comparison). He is completely believable as a neo-nazi skinhead leader. The plot is VERY simplistic. There is virtually no character development. Neither is there development of relatinships between the characters. If violence bothers you, have the fast forward button ready. Even with all this said, I recommend it. Its fast paced and intriguing. (The fake tattoos are great too).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Life of a Skinhead
Review: If you are researching the life of a Skinhead, then this film is a MUST! As a former "Boots and Braces" guy, I can tell you this is the most acurate portrayal of the skinhead life I have seen. The violence and foolishness are so true to Skinhead life. If you want ACCURATE portrayal of HARDCORE Skinheads then look no further, NO OTHER movie can even come close to Romper Stomper, this movie IS the life.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Oy!
Review: 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.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: If you liked "American History X"...
Review: ...you'll definitely love "Romper Stomper." Before "AHX" was released, I compared this film most often with "A Clockwork Orange," but "AHX" seems like the best comparison...though there are still very definite elements of "ACO" packed in this cinematic miracle. As with most of the better independent films I've seen, I caught this on IFC and was mesmerized by its depictions of neo-nazi skinhead life in Australia. In later years, when I first saw "LA Confidential" and "The Insider," it took a while to put two and two together and realize that this Russell Crowe person who was so fabulous in both films was the actor who'd portrayed Hando so magnetically in "Romper Stomper," which I'd seen years before. I still believe that this is his best performance to date, and the film itself will inspire awe in many viewers, though it is not suited to all tastes. My comparisons to "AHX" and "ACO" should not only give you an indication of my devotion to this film (I don't just throw around comparisons to two such movies which I hold in the highest regard)...it should also let you know what kind of film you're in for when you rent or buy "Romper Stomper." If the violence of "ACO" put you off, or if the intense and twisted depictions of hatred and racism in "AHX" made you turn it off halfway through, this is NOT the film for you. If, however, you've the stomach for the sex & violence, and can handle the racist elements, you will undoubtedly love this film from start to finish. I'll make it clear here that I am NOT a neo-nazi or a racist of any kind. The subject of neo-nazism fascinates me because I simply cannot comprehend the mentality of blind hatred. Films like "Romper Stomper" and "AHX" disturbed me, and still do...but they make you think...and they're unbelievably brave and intense films. Please pick this film up and give it a chance. It's well worth it. "Romper Stomper" is a cinematic treasure and a shining reason to support independent film, both in the United States and abroad.


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