Crwthod A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Lela The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Staci Frederick Blistering performances.

gavin6942 An experienced cop (Robert Duvall) and his rookie partner (Sean Penn) patrol the streets of East Los Angeles while trying to keep the gang violence under control.Looking back now (2017), this film seems so normal, something that could be included in a long list of L.A. gang movies, with the Crips and Bloods fighting it out for turf. We all know about "gangsta rap" and Compton and South Central and all of that. But then you look at the date this film was released -- 1988 -- and you see that all these things we take for granted had never been explored in any detail before. (Merriam-Webster, for example, does not even think the term "gangsta rap" was invented until 1989, even if Schoolly D and Ice-T were already around.)Although it is probably not true that "Colors" is the first film about gang violence in Los Angeles, it was probably the most influential at the time it came out. Allegedly, some reviews found it even hard to believe that gangs existed in L.A. -- that is just how novel the premise was. Director Dennis Hopper does an excellent job in laying out what these neighborhoods are like and really tackles the crack epidemic head on.The original script by Richard DiLello (best known as a Beatles historian) actually took place in Chicago (the traditional gang stronghold) and was more about drug dealing than individual gang members. Hopper ordered changes, so Michael Schiffer was hired and the setting was changed to Los Angeles with the focus of the story becoming more about the day-to-day world of gang members. This switch may be the single best decision Hopper made while developing and shooting the film.What makes the film valuable today, besides its historic aspect, is seeing just how great the casting was, too. Don Cheadle before he was widely known. Tony Todd before "Candyman". Damon Wayans before his entire family became big stars. Even a young Mario Lopez shows up. The idea of having a white kid (Courtney Gains) in a Latino gang seems strange, but as Gains himself says, that was written into the script and he just happened to be lucky enough to get the part.Thanks to Shout! Factory and their Shout Select label, we now have the full, uncut film on Blu-ray, looking great and sounding fantastic. The Herbie Hancock score is dynamite, to say the least. Special features are a little bit slim, unfortunately -- no commentary and not a single actor interview -- but we do have a look back at both the writing process and the gang situation in 1980s Los Angeles.

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.

callanvass With a movie that has Sean Penn & Robert Duvall as its main characters, you know it can't be all that bad. I actually dug this movie for the most part. It's gritty in nature, with many powerful moments. It has a very realistic aura to it, with all of the gang related stuff. It made me a bit uncomfortable at times, in a good way. It has some great chase scenes, and it's not overly violent, but it is violent. We get a pretty controversial scene which involves a drive by shooting at a church. That to me is really pushing the limit, and it made for a very effective scene. I did feel that the intensity could have been amped up a little more at times, than it was, despite a bit of a somber & clever ending. I also felt the subplot between Penn & Maria Conchita Alonso was otiose, and lacked any real emotion. It just felt like they wanted a quick romance in this film, without any proper thought. It was a major misfire, and ended up getting on my nerves. Casting Penn & Duvall as partners was a great choice. Their contrast of styles meshed together wonderfully. Sean Penn is excellent as the hotshot cop who is brash with all of the pent up anger. He comes close to being unsympathetic at times, but thankfully Penn doesn't overdo it. Robert Duvall is equally as good as the old bull. He is such a class act, and brings such a great dynamic to the table. His calm demeanor contrasted well with Penn's brazen style. Stars like Grand L. Bush, Damon Wayans, Tony Todd, Mario Lopez (Saved By the Bell Fame), and Don Cheadle (By far the biggest part of the aforementioned), all have parts here, pre-fame. Bottom Line: I liked this movie. It was an engaging two hours or so for the most part, and kept my interest throughout. The acting is top-notch, and Dennis Hopper did a really good job of directing. See it6.8/10