| | | Two cops. Two gangs. One hell of a war.
Features: DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1, Theatrical Version, Trailers
Academy Award winner* Robert Duvall (Tender Mercies) and Sean Penn (Dead Man Walking) star in a film that captures the vivid mark that gang life has left upon Los Angeles (The New York Times). Directed by the legendary Dennis Hopper (Easy Rider) and based on a compelling story by Michael Schiffer and Richard DiLello, Colors is grimy, hard-edged, heart-thumping action (Movieline)! Seasoned street cop Bob Hodges (Duvall) and his new, young know-it-all partner Danny McGavin (Penn) are forced to work together in the L.A.P.D. s renowned C.R.A.S.H. anti-gang unit. Together they set out to investigate a murder between two rival gangs. Hated and hunted by both sides, the cops get trapped in the middle of a turf war. With nowhere to turn, they are ambushed, double-crossed and shot at in a take-no-prisoners street battle. As the violence escalates, these two diametrically opposed men must come to terms with one important fact -- to stay alive they must come together!System Requirements: Running Time 120 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE
"Colors does for the inner city cop what Platoon did for the foot soldier in Vietnam... Dennis Hopper is a genius..." Michael Medved, Sneak Previews
"Penn and Duvall are well matched... realistic..." Leonard Maltin
"...engaging... stirring." Desson Howe, Washington Post
Editor's Note
After the events of the previous decade in Los Angeles, this 1988 film about L.A. street gangs as seen through the eyes of the LAPD represented a serious effort to throw some light on the appalling carnage of that world in which, for example, 400 gangbangers were killed in 1987, the year the film was in production. It stars Robert Duvall as Mike Hodges and Sean Penn as Danny McGavin, veteran/rookie cop partners attached to CRASH, the LAPD's gang-supression unit. Hodges has been working South Central for years and has the gangbangers' respect for his low-key, quid pro quo demeanor. Despite his partner's admonitions, McGavin wants to play Rambo, bringing the hammer down on gang members at every opportunity. Ultimately the rage that drives the younger man destroys his relationship with his girlfriend, Louisa Gomez (Maria Conchita Alonso), and raises questions as to whether he should even be allowed to wear a badge. While considerable attention is paid to the complicated rubrics of gang culture, the gangbangers remain shadowy, nearly anonymous figures, especially compared to later portrayals. COLORS is a solid film, featuring superb performances by Penn and Duvall, excellent photography by Haskell Wexler, and a killer soundtrack.
Plot Summary
An examination of L.A.'s gang problem, framed as a cop drama, COLORS stars Robert Duvall as Mike Hodges and Sean Penn as Danny Gavin, members of the LAPD's gang-control CRASH (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums) unit. Paired as a team, veteran Hodges tries to teach explosive rookie Gavin that a laid-back style is more effective in dealing with gangbangers than his macho, take-no-prisoners approach. But, as usual, the younger man chooses to learn the hard way.
| Features | Theatrical Trailer | | Widescreen Version Enhanced For 16x9 TVs | | Audio: English Stereo, French Stereo, Spanish Mono | | Subtitles: French, Sanish | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Access |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: MGM |
| Release Date: 10/2/2001 |
| Running Time: 120 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1988 | | Catalog ID: 1002570 | | UPC: 00027616867711 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English, French Dubbed, Spanish Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: French, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Memorable Quotes| "Want me to walk away from this? No way, man."----Gang Member |
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| | Professional Reviews | New York Times
"...Fierce, rollicking....Nothing about COLORS is ordinary..." 04/15/1988 p.C4Entertainment Weekly
"..This terse, violent LA cop story reek[s] of street cred..." -- Rating; B 08/05/1994 pp.56-7 Variety
"...COLORS is a solidly crafted depiction of some current big-city horrors....Excellent work from director Dennis Hopper..." 04/13/1988 Total Film
"...A surprisingly intelligent take on the LA badlands..." 11/01/2000 p.118 Washington Post 8 of 10
...On location in the blasted world of barrios, crack deals and gun battles, (director Dennis Hopper) covers the mayhem with unadorned, documentary immediacy that transcends otherwise formulaic cop-fare. Cops Robert Duvall and Sean Penn bring high presence to these mean streets... It's an exhilarating sparring match between Duvall's workmanlike fine-tuning and Penn's raw energy... - Desson Howe
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