Often confused with THE WANDERERS, Philip Kaufman/Richard Price’s less fanciful Rumble-in-the-Bronx/’60s Coming-of-Age tale, out five months later, Walter Hill’s Gangapalooza Cos-Play romp, inspired by a Greek legend, happens over one long night in what might be called the imaginary here-and-now.* That’s where Coney Island’s WARRIORS, sporting signature leatherette vests (undershirt optional depending on ab definition), grab the graffiti marked NYC subway going to the big Gang Pow Wow in the Bronx, No Weapons Allowed! But when violence inevitably breaks out, it’s every gang for itself and the defenseless Warriors have to strategize a safe way home thru one enemy territory after another, The Bronx, Manhattan and finally safe turf in Brooklyn . . . if they all make it. Along the way, Martial Art fights, romance (real & feigned), all while misplaced blame puts them in harms way. (In truth, the most dangerous place they go to is the subway Men’s Room. Yikes!) And speaking of territory, writer/director Hill is a bit out of his. Optical printer wipes to change scenes? Teenybopper music-video violence? But he seems to be having almost as good a time as the costumer, decking out the gangs in various themed outfits. (Check out the Goth Clown Baseball Team Gang.) Too bad the cast missed finding a big breakout star. Delicate hunk Michael Beck quickly lost his mojo with next year’s ZANADU. Yet somehow, knowing most of the cast only for this film helps rather than hurts.
DOUBLE-BILL/LINK: As mentioned, THE WANDERERS. Not so much alike after all. https://maksquibs.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-wanderers-1979.html
ATTENTION MUST BE PAID: *The most stylized element in the film is 100% real. The famous ‘70s-era NYC Subway Map of Massimo Vignelli.
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