There have been some very good gang based movies that have come out of New Zealand over the years . Romper Stomper and Once were warriors are two that spring to mind but is Savage good enough to be mentioned in the same breath as those movies ?
Absolutely.
Inspired by the true stories of New Zealand's street gangs across 30 years, this movie follows danny at three defining moments in his life as he grows from a boy into the violent enforcer of a gang.
I really liked this film . It shows how one wrong turn ( or accident) in childhood can change an entire life and affect you and others for decades .
The performance are brilliant . Jake Ryan is superb and as far as I'm aware it's the first film I've seen him in anything . The young lad who plays Danny as a kid is great too.
It's violent but not gratuitous. You seen what is necessary to the story and no more and you have to applaud director Sam Kelly for not going over the top although it's still an 18 which is a shame as it will limit the audience.
I'd have no problem with my 15 year old watching this . In fact he may even learn a thing or two about how people can change despite the bum hand they have been given in life .
Savage has a limited cinematic release here in the UK and if you get the chance to see it , you should .
