Predrag Dennis Hopper has always been a talent, both in front and behind the camera. "Colors" could only be handled by the likes of an independent spirit like Hopper: It's tough, brutal, no watered down studio gloss, no techno effects.Both actors bring more depth to their clichéd roles than might be expected, playing off each other surprisingly well, even in moments where they are given little more to do than react. But "Colors" offers no real answers to anything. The cops are presented mostly as well-armed zookeepers, while the gang members, blessed with youth and health but not much brains, run violently about, making the story mostly a series of aimless confrontations. Art imitating life? Maybe... This allows an ending, where the now older policeman repeats an old joke to a newer one.Why do people form gangs? It's a form of socialization or group support. In some other places it could be the volunteer fire department (a replacement for the long-forgotten militia) or a church or social club. No mention of ethnic grouping, more likely in some other places. This movie does not explain why they live there or do not move away. All in all, its an average story that is somewhat educational in its characters.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.

videorama-759-859391 This is a masterpiece of gangland all the way, rough, raw, and perfectly shot, that engrosses the viewer every minute. This is the truest depiction of gangland L.A. you'll ever see. Sometimes it's too close for comfort. Aging, veteran L.A cop, Duvall and his new hot headed partner Mcgavin, nickname Pacman (a great written character for Penn-suitably brilliant, one would say) are after a killer, Rocket (a young Don Cheadle before he moved into more serious straight arrow characters) who's smoked a homie from another gang. Violence shown is occasional, sometimes heavy, but really when only necessary. Penn and Duvall form a great team, part of a unit called CRASH, crimes only related to gangland. Unlike Riggs and Murtaugh, they're always disagreeing, or getting into some heated arguments. It was great, the family scene, where Duvall invited Penn and his new date over for lunch after a quite thrilling car chase, where their squad car has just upturned. But too, one of my favourite scenes, was Duvall lecturing Penn in his backyard, about the hang ups Penn's future has in law enforcement, where Penn defends himself, arguing his points, totally the opposite of Duvall, who's like the mediator of the duo. Penn's points about not buttering up these homies, and not getting respect is true, but then again you have to gain respect, where Penn's character would have zero tolerance on that one. When Penn goes too far, like a cop having a bad day with these nemesis's, Duvall's retaliation, knocking Penn back in line, was truly something unexpected. It then has Penn, balking. This was truly a powerful moment. Damon Wayans was a hoot as a gang member parading shirtless, in a stereo place, bunny uniform and all, until his act is brought to a standstill. The whole near two hour movie has our dynamic duo, and other enforcers, trying to track down Rocket, that lead to interrogations, where we take delight in watching Mr Macho Penn, do his thing, one scene I would love to acted out. Also we have a sub plot, an accidental shooting that puts one cop on the stand, but also in an earlier scene we have one full frontal beaver shot, after a place is raided, Penn just stilted by the beautiful sight. The tragic finale is memorable in a great slow zoom upward shot, where not every cop tale ends well. This film is no doubt Hopper's piece of resistance, an undying portrait of L.A. how it should of really been shown. I highly advise you to give this 88 pic a viewing over. It's reality will hit you in the face.

namashi_1 The Late Great Dennis Hopper's 'Colors' is A Brilliant Film, in all respects. A Gritty, Unforgiving, No-Holds-Barred Cop-Drama, that works in every level.'Colors' Synopsis: An experienced cop and his rookie partner patrol the streets of East Los Angeles while trying to keep the gang violence under control.'Colors' is Gritty, Unforgiving & No-Holds-Barred. Its certainly, NOT meant for the Faint-Hearted. But for those, who have the stomach for such hardcore Cop-Dramas, don't dare to miss this masterful film.Richard Di Lello & Michael Schiffer's Screenplay is No-Holds-Barred. Dennis Hopper's Direction is Rustic & Raw. Haskell Wexler's Cinematography is Edgy. Editing is Sharp. Music by Herbie Hancock is Good.Performance-Wise: Academy-Award-Winning Actors, Bob Duvall & Sean Penn pitch in Spectacular Performances. And its truly a pleasure to watch the Acting Legends performer together, with such flourish. María Conchita Alonso is terrific. Don Cheadle is menacing. Randy Brooks is effective. Glenn Plummer is proficient.On the whole, 'Colors' is a must see film. Two Thumbs Up!

Michael Neumann Dennis Hopper's much discussed gang warfare drama was tailor made for controversy, being too honest for exploitation but, at the same time, shallow enough to frustrate viewers expecting something more than what it is: only another action-packed, urban cop story with a topical background. No, it doesn't glorify gang violence, but it does romanticize the thrill of the chase, with cars careening off each other while the boom boxes pound on the soundtrack. Sean Penn and Robert Duvall make a formidable acting team, playing two LA policemen battling each other as well as the gangs, each of them bringing a measure of depth to their stereotypical macho cop characters with typically intense performances. Meanwhile the script wanders all over the east LA barrios before finally pausing for a suitably tragic conclusion; screenwriter Michael Schiffer wisely passes no judgment and makes no attempt to put the problem of gang warfare into perspective, which is probably why some people were worried that the film itself might incite violence (it didn't).