Movie 156: The Warriors

Watched The Warriors instead. Jaws 2 is probably next, or next next. Probably next.

A conclave of gangs is called in New York, and the leader of the biggest gang announces his plan to get them all together and take over the city as they outnumber the cops 3 to 1 (or 5 to 1, cannae remember). He’s then shot by one of the Rogues, who pins it on The Warriors. The Warriors then have to make it from The Bronx to Coney Island with everyone out for their ass. 8 against the city. Shits on.

This is based on an historical event apparently, where a bunch of Greek soldiers had to get home through very hostile territory. I watched the Ultimate Director’s Cut DVD so it also has a more obvious comic book origin, which panels interspersing scenes.

I liked that, it was pretty funky. Though it was a bit obvious that this was a later edition as the comic art wasn’t really period with the making of the film

Essentially what you have here is a John Carpenter movie that John never made. The gangs are whacky weirdoes, the tension is ratched up, the score is synth a lot of the time and it looks very gritty. And it’s a lot of a fun

It’s also a lot of cheese. Gangs made up of baseball bat wielding KISS rejects, punks on roller skates and black guys in karate uniforms couldn’t be anything but cheesy really.

As you can tell I liked it, but I’m not sure I loved it. While I might have recognised a few faces it’s a cast of unknowns who went on to be not much better now as far as I can tell. They were in this, a bunch of other stuff, but can go shopping in Tesco without hassle. That’s no mark of a lack of quality really, but there’s not much to blow your socks off.

It’s a film of its time, that looks and sounds like a film of its time. And that’s fine. The late 70’s was a good time for movies. As I said a few paragraphs ago its definitely one for Carpenter fans. And obviously Walter Hill fans as its his movie. If you haven’t seen it but you have seen Escape From New York and Assault on Precinct 13 then go check it. You’ll dig it.

But chances are you have seen it. And you get that joke.

On a side note, I think this would make a great TV show now. Kind of like Sons of Anarchy but in a city setting. Our gangs are a bit less civilized so it couldn’t be too realistic. Watching guys shoot each other gets dull, watching KISS with baseball bats fight dudes with afros and leather vests is FUN.