The Warriors
Generations always seem to blame youth for the problems they face. Every decade the youth of today are plagued with controversy as though adults skipped the development stage and went straight from babies to arseholes. The kids of today get a battering from the older generations and the press. They are too despondent, they don't try hard enough, they take too many drugs and alcohol, they have no respect, they are in gangs or they cause all the violence and disrupt the community they are in. It's a sorry state of affairs when instead of crafting a better world for our children to come into, we'd rather deconstruct their talent, confidence and hope so they are just as bitter and derailed as we are.
Filmmakers are on either side of the like. Many hold onto memories and tales, reaching out to the pubescent population and crafting tales for them. After all, it is a lucrative market filled with so many stories that are redolent and enticing. Others chose to belittle and patronise - affected by the stranglehold of government that chooses to wade into art and belittle its centric characters and target audience. In any teen cinematic outing, the thoughts of youth should be tackled with sensitivity with those as the subject and their emotions astutely thought of. This is very much the case of Walter Hill's The Warriors.
The film, based on a novel by Sol Yurick, revolves around the gang culture of New York City as different fractions gather at a regular meeting lead by Cyrus who has plans to expand the fractions and reclaim the generation. The titular group, honing from Coney Island, attend and all is well until the manic Luther from rival gang The Rogues shoots Cyrus dead, pinning the blame on The Warriors. As the gang run away from, unaware that they have been implicated, their leader Cleon is taken down by the riffs and leave the gang lost and unaware that the other sectors are hunting them down in ransom. Can The Warriors prove their innocence and can they make it back to Coney Island before it is too late?
Even director Walter Hill said of his film that he wanted to portray gang culture without the negative effects on the community or a character yearning to be free. Despite the drama that happens, unearthed because of the madness of one, Hill is sure to never let the identity of belonging to a gang part of the trouble. In fact, up until the unjust death of Cyrus at the beginning, they all gather in peace and solidarity as he writes a speech about their stance in today's society. The movie is so rich at gifting the characters with their own personality alongside that of the gang that being part of the group only fuels there individuality and gives them a sense of purpose and belonging. The film narrative, as dramatic and violent as it is, never degrades gang culture but shows how it can enrich youth who fall into it. We are so busy telling children to join school groups or extracurricular activities yet persecute those in benevolent gangs who chose to help their community and use it for frivolity and fun. See here it isn't the gangs, its Luther and his destruction of peace that pushes the violence forward.
Setting the entire film during the night and to this scintillating soundtrack
makes the film incredibly captivating. The cast of fantastic actors are truly remarkable and keep this impressive level of plight alongside the rambunctiousness too. Slipping into the shadows and allegiances that may not be trustworthy effervesces this worrisome atmosphere that is brimming with kinetic energy. As the cool crisp radio host narrates the impending danger as hostility increases towards out heroes, the climatic finale will leave you deliriously sweating with your pulse in your hand.
You may also be picking your next outfit - each gang has its own fashion choice here and they are all winners.