I
never knew this movie even existed. It wasn't after Gladiator
that I found out about Romper Stomper. Also, I've come to
know about 20th Century Fox's plans to release this movie which
ultimately made me aware of it. I guess I had some high
expectations for Romper Stomper because it starred a post-famous
Russell Crowe and had a rather controversial subject matter.
Romper
Stomper follows a gang of Nazi skinheads, lead by Hando
(Crowe), in Melbourne who take their anger out on local
Vietnamese. The gang sees them as a threatening racial purity.
The Vietnamese have had enough of the violence and confront the
skinheads in an all-out confrontation, sending the skinheads
running for their lives. There's obviously more to this movie,
but why bother talking about it when you could get a better idea
by watching it.
The
Movie
Romper
Stomper starts off with a bang! Right from the start we're
introduced to the amount of violence that follows later in the
movie. I think this movie kind of served as an inspiration of American
History X. These two movies are considerably identical.
Well, almost. History X has a bit more meaning to it than
Stomper, because there's actually a lesson learned and
it's more emotional. Not that Stomper isn't emotional,
but it felt sort of flat in terms of having a message. The views
expressed here are more likely to be neutral, favoring neither
the skinhead's or the oppressed POV. Nevertheless, the movie was
powerful. It's got a hazy feel to it and much of the picture is
blue (maybe because it's so cold in that part of Australia? I
think it's more likely due to the fact that Wright intended to
tamper with the filter a bit to create a more wary atmosphere).
I
don't think the characters are nihilistic. They're not immune to
emotions and they do bleed. The realistic manner in which all
the characters were portrayed raised the ante of involvement,
maybe making you feel a little bit of sympathy for them because
for the lost purpose of their lives. The last 30 minutes of Romper
Stomper are renegade-like and build up to the perfect, yet
unhappy ending. A triangle relationship never works. Proving it
is the confrontation between gang leader Hando (Crowe) and his
best friend Davey (Pollock) at the end. Gabe (McKenzie) was
Hando's girlfriend for a while, but Davey always had an eye for
her. Davey is fighting for Gabe while Hando is fighting to get
rid of her (everything makes more sense in the end). It also
makes an interesting point, which is kind of ironic, about how a
character is basically setting up his own death in the end
(remember the knife Davey bought from Hando's dough).
Romper
Stomper is a powerful film that glorifies its subject matter
just a little too much. Its soundtrack and the respective
performances of Crowe, Pollock, and McKenzie all add to the
reality of the movie. I don't think anybody should avoid seeing
this movie, because it makes you aware of the situation of
desperation and lost cause that took place, or still does
perhaps, in Melbourne at the time (and most likely anywhere
else).
8 out of 10
The
Video
The
transfer of the video is definitely a great improvement from the
video version. Shot in super-16 film, the picture adds black
bars to top and bottom (anamorphic). Now, I'm not saying it's
perfect. Compared to grainy VHS, the picture quality of this DVD
is pretty buff, too. There are some occasional scratches and a
little grain is left. Some of the colors are not completely
fleshed out.
7
out of 10
The
Audio
The
sound is also a major improvement from the video version. Its
soundtrack rocks the speakers in three formats this DVD has to
offer: English 5.1 Surround, English 2.0 Surround, and English
5.1 Surround DTS presentation, though it could've been a little
bit better. Again, a big improvement over the VHS quality, but
it's not close to THX or anything like that. It didn't affect
the enjoyment of the movie, but it sure could've boosted the
amount of noise that Romper Stomper identifies with.
7
out of 10
The
Extras
Speaking
of extras, I wish there'd been some deleted scenes. I'm aware
that there's a bootleg copy out there of the uncut version,
because this movie initially received an NC-17 for the violence
and sexuality. Sadly, any excised scenes that were definitely
made are not included in this 2-disc set.
Next
is Geoffrey Wright's commentary. I guess he recorded this in his
house somewhere, because there is the occasional hollow sound.
Nevertheless, Wright provides a lot of insight of the movie that
is both intriguing and interesting. I learned that Daniel
Pollock lost his life in 1994 (he actually did not mention how,
but under the 'Facts' section his death was due to his cocaine
addiction that caused him to throw himself in front of a train;
pretty fucking sad actually). Then there's the time when Crowe
and some of the cast members were arrested because they wore the
skinhead attire while getting ready for the characters. He also
mentioned how Romper Stomper got its funding and that he
received [some] support from the Vietnamese community.
The
interviews section is pretty much loaded with all sorts of
information and insight. There are the promotional interviews
the cast did in 1992 and new/recent interviews by Wright. The
making-of and "Skinhead" documentary that are included
add to the reality that Romper Stomper conveyed.
I
think that the 2nd disc is somewhat scant. Sure, there is the
trailer and the many interviews, two documentaries, three
reviews of the movie, and facts. However, it would've been nice
to know about the deleted scenes and maybe a second commentary
by Wright, Crowe, and McKenzie all together. But why bitch when
you have a lot already.
