Review of Romper Stomper (1992) by Thomas D — 23 Apr 2011

Well, there isn't a lot to say about the critically acclaimed, controversial movie of 1993, Romper Stomper. I'll tell you right off, it is about Skinheads in Australia basically being violent, ignorant and stupid, but the movie is more than just a senseless portrayal of violence and hatred.

It is a powerful statement that shows both sides of the hatred spectrum of the underground world of romping and terrorizing and how both sides are affected. The movie also isn't a purely serious, straight faced display of neo-nazi lifestyle either.

The director decides to poke fun at the idiocy of the skinheads and just how stupid they really are for living the way that they live in a world meant for diversity, long after the ways of the nazi's died out.

Their head man/ leader Hando played wonderfully by Russell Crowe, is a very diverse, complex character. He hauntingly represents for something on a much larger scale of hatred and corruption than just a low level street gang as he recites passages from the Mein Kampf and other Nazi scripture.

Ultimately proving to be a force that cannot exist outside of this movie. It really is one of those roles that you will remember long after the movie is over. One of the most memorable parts of the whole movie that makes it all worth watching is the epic street battle between the chinese and the skin heads where the skinheads are definitely out numbered, beaten and even reduced in numbers as many of their once large gang are killed off and beaten to death with pipes, chains and bats! The movie is very satire and in homage to other great films of ultra-violence such as 'A Clockwork Orange' or even 'The Warriors' to an extent.

Russell Crowe's acting is just amazing! as well as Daniel Pollock who plays Hando's right hand man Davey who eventually has a change of heart and a new outlook on life toward the films finale.

Worth a watch just for the power of the directing and the depth of Crowe's character acting.