The Warriors (1979)

Original Theatrical Release: February 9, 1979
Director: Walter Hill

Cyrus (Roger Hill), the charismatic head of the gang known as the Gramercy Riffs, calls a summit for all the gangs to send nine unarmed representatives to. He feels that they shouldn’t be fighting amongst themselves but should team up and take on the police, who would be vastly outnumbered. However, during the summit, Cyrus is shot by Luther (David Patrick Kelly), the chaotic and cowardly leader of the Rogues, who blames it on the Warriors instead. Now with a hundred other gangs out for their blood, the Warriors must bop their way home to Coney Island until they can clear their name.

This movie is based on the novel by Sol Yurick. I have never read the book so I can’t state any differences between the film and the writing. (It’s definitely on my to-read list, though)

What I DO know is that I loved the movie. The gritty atmosphere was very predominant. From the opening scene, you know what sort of world you’re about to inhabit. Graffiti-covered subways, tough-looking gang members strolling down the streets, and the dark but high-energy music heightening the anticipation of seeing what Cyrus is all about as you take the subway with the delegates from The Warriors to the opening scene after the montage/credits at the summit.

The gangs are all really cool and distinctive, from the iconic Warriors and Baseball Furies (Baseball Furies…..picture Marilyn Manson wearing a New York Yankees outfit and swinging a bat at you) to the denim-wearing Rogues, to the dirty, 1950’s gang-looking Orphans.

There is definitely some noir/pulp flash going on in the film as well, and I can really dig that. Also, the fight scenes are really great with lots of slo-mo shots that I thought seemed unusual for the time, but which lent itself to the pacing  of the fights. The main characters died, got dirty and got hurt and you really start to root for them to get home.

This is just one of those movies that sticks with you after you see it (especially Luther’s call to the Warriors to come out of hiding). Once you do, you will see constant references to it by other shows, music artists, video games and even other films. Give it a watch.

JOE Rating: ★★★★★

Movie Trailer For The Warriors

This is what I look like when I’m blogging my reviews

I just wanted to take some time, and a breather, and say that this new blog is fun and I’m enjoying writing these reviews of (so far) games, movies and books.

I truly appreciate the time everyone takes to read, like or share the reviews because I know there are a million other blogs out there that do the same thing.

I have lots more Wii game reviews coming up soon, seeing as how I let my cousin borrow my X Box 360 so he could play the new Resident Evil game. There will be vintage games (like Super Mario Brothers and Chrono Trigger) because those are all available on the Wii so HELL YEAH I’m going to be playing them.

You can also count on other movie reviews soon, including some old Sword-And-Sorcery 80’s films, some newer stuff like The Avengers and Dark Knight Rising…and some older stuff, too, like Stand By Me and Suicide Kings.

On the book end (ha!) of things, I will have a review on The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers and also Aristotle’s Poetics for Screenwriters coming up fairly soon, too.

I plan on getting into some more comic book and graphic novel reviews as well, but I have no idea when. Music and television shows are on the list, too.

Keep on keepin’ on!

-Joe