Razor Eaters

Felt I had to counter the comments on this film, many of which may well have been written by PR types or those close to the makers.

Just my opinion, but I thought this was appalling and amateurish and tedious. From the word go I hated it. It's shot on video, which is never a good thing: it exposes the dreadfulness of the acting, it makes the violence look fake, it makes the gore look unconvincing. It looks cheap and nasty, which is what this film, if you can call it that, is.

The gang simply aren't scary either, they're just idiots. The plot is banal. The statements it tries to make about the media's treatment of violence are portentous and unconvincing. The makers would like it if people bandied round the names of other, better films in relation to theirs, but I'm not even going to do that.

Avoid at all costs.

The titular Razor Eaters are a gang of Australian hooligans who decide to terrorize civilization and film their exploits, loosely based on a similar gang that rampaged through Melbourne. Their crimes are cruel and brutal. They kill without mercy. They burn people alive. And they even have official t-shirts.

Perhaps half of the movie focuses on the Razor Eaters, and the other half follows the hardened cop, Detective Danny Berdan (Paul Moder), who is trying to track them down. As with Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers, both the detective and the nation itself follows the activities of the gang through the video tapes they leave behind. While many are terrified of the gang, others support their activities, in part because many of their crimes are committed against other criminals, although they use a very broad definition of the term criminal to include people they just don't like. For example, they promise to target drug dealers, but end up killing people for driving like idiots and having loud car stereos. They've also got issues against the media and those who create it, but by the end of the movie it becomes apparent that they are very much enjoying being a part of that media.

It should be noted that, while the actual segments that were filmed by the gang have a documentary feel to them (with the camera moving around all over the place), most of the movie is not shot this way. Personally, I think this gives the movie a more "realistic", true-to-life feel without rendering the entire film unwatchable.

I bought this movie as part of a four-movie set out of the bargain bin at a local department store, along with two other independent movies of the 2000's (and, for some reason, Night of the Living Dead, a movie that gets tacked on to just about any "horror" collection as filler). This is probably the best of the set. Honestly, I think it's worth watching for virtually everyone, but those fans of extreme cinema living down under should definitely consider checking it out.

Some "director" must have been sitting around one day and suddenly had the incredibly bright, novel idea to make a movie about a bunch of immature teenagers running around laughing like low IQ morons at their own juvenile antics while engaging in a "crime spree." Ooh.. tense.

To make the entire matter even crappier, this genius director had the even more novel idea of -- guess what? -- showing us said crime spree through "the eyes of the perpetrators." This translates to a bunch of actors given hand-held cameras and videotaping themselves acting like, well... morons.

Of course, no such wannabe "gritty, urban violence" type of film would be complete without the thoughtful, tortured detective out to get these darn kids.

Skip this trite cow dung of a film and go rent "A Clockwork Orange" instead.

Oh, and ignore the negative votes against this review. They were most likely put in by the "actors" in this film and their loser friends. After all, with the exception of hapless victims like myself, they are the only ones looking in this dusty corner of the internet.

If any fans want to see 4 hours of extra features, buy the UK disc in 5.1 Surround. Includes 1 hour 'Making of' documentary, 30 deleted scenes, Music video, Fletcher's 'behind the scenes' video journal, Trailers and 'A look at FX'.

The UK version will soon be re-released through ILC entertainment with the new kick ass Australian designed cover early next year as well as the US ( who will also be releasing the Special Edition version)

Both these countries are planning on a theatrical release, so keep your eyes open for screenings. We will be in attendance for these.

For those of you seeking information on the real gang that inspired the film, The Hedge Burners rampaged their way through Melbourne during the mid eighties led by Mr Gregory A (name suppressed) AKA 'Lucifer' We spoke to the police officer who apprehended them. They were convicted on the videos they shot of their arson and vandalism attacks. Lucifer was gaoled for five years as a result. I contacted the gang but they declined to be interviewed, Scary dudes.

Paul Moder Producer

Despite my suspicions that superheidi's comments (above) are company PR and more than a little over-the-top, RAZOR EATERS is superior film-making with a depth and focus rare for low budgeters.

Paul Moder (SENSITIVE NEW AGE KILLER) plays a cop on the trail of urban terrorists who are committing acts of random violence and vandalism. They have a point, of course, and we discover what that is as the movie progresses.

The performances are very solid, the writing is tight, and the direction is clear and subtly stylish.

Director Shannon Young uses all the cinematic tricks to milk the most from his action scenes and the violence is tense and convincing.

Editing is tight and star Moder turns in a nuanced, convincing performance.

A solid achievement.