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.

jcbutthead86 Colors is an excellent,powerful and gripping Crime Drama that combines great direction,a fantastic cast and a memorable score. All of those elements make Colors an unforgettable film that is Dennis Hopper.Sean Penn and Robert DuVall at their best.Set in Los Angeles,California,Colors tells the story of veteran LAPD cop Bob Hodges(Robert DuVall)who is teamed up with young hot shot cop Danny McGavin(Sean Penn)to patrol the streets and deal with local gangs such as the Crips,Bloods and Latino gangs while dealing with each other as partners.Before there was Boyz N The Hood(1991)and Menace II Society(1993)set the standard for Urban Drama in LA there was Colors a brilliant and intense Crime Drama that set the table and was also a mixture of amazing talents such as director Dennis Hopper and actors Sean Penn and Robert DuVall who all collaborated on this great film that was not only a critical and Box Office success but was also the right movie at the right time for Los Angeles in 1988. During the 1980s Los Angeles was known for being seen as such a beautiful place that was filled with glitz and glamour and the rich and famous,but Colors gave audiences a different side and look to Los Angeles that wasn't seen during the 1980s where parts of the city were not very pretty and gang violence was out of control with the cops trying to stop it but with little success. And while Colors is a obviously a more conventional movie than Dennis Hopper's landmark classic Easy Rider(1969)Colors is still an incredible film that is very underrated. Powerful,violent and at times shocking from beginning to end Colors is a film that punches viewers in the face with tons of grit and intensity that just never stops until the end credits roll. Colors is movie that combines elements of not only Crime Drama but also Action film,Gang movie and Cop drama into fascinating study of Gang life and violence seen from the points of view from both the cops and the gangs from the LAPD to the Crips and Bloods in South Central to the Latino gangs in East LA with tons of characters getting enough screen time. There is certain scenes with the gangs and cops that some will find a little over the top(and there is some funny moments in the film despite the serious subject matter)I think some of the scenes were pretty accurate about what was going on at the time on the mean streets of LA. The film while a study of gangs and gang violence is also a look at the partnership between McGavin and Hodges and how the two deal with gang bangers where as Hodges is more calm and friendly being the veteran,young McGavin while not a bad guy or a bad cop is more brutal and wants to busts all the criminals with an iron hand which Hodges doesn't agree with which makes them clash on how they do things. While it's the kind of thing people would see in a another movie(like in a Buddy Cop film)the dynamic and partnership between the two characters I think adds to the film. The violence in Colors is shocking and not for the weak at heart but is fitting for the tone and feel of the movie showing the harshness of being a Cop and a Gang banger. There is also a few scenes of Action that keeps the story moving and even an exciting car chase that gives the movie an energy. The ending of Colors is effective and powerful but brings the film full circle in many ways. A fantastic ending.The cast is great. Sean Penn and Robert DuVall are excellent as Danny McGavin and Bob Hodges,with Penn and DuVall showing great chemistry. Maria Conchita Alonzo is great and sexy as Louisa,Danny's girlfriend. Randy Brooks is sensational as Ron,a guy who works with gangs. Trinidad Silva is wonderful as Frog,the leader of 21st street gang. Grand L. Bush is good as Looney Tunes,Frog's friend. Glenn Plummer is fantastic as High-Top,a Blood gang member. Don Cheadle is effective as Rocket,a Crip gang member. Damon Wayans is funny as T-Bone,a member of the Crips. Leon Robinson is good as Killer Bee,another member of the Crips Geraldo Mejia does a fine job as Bird,a member of 21st street gang. Romeo De Lan(Felipe),Sy Richardson(Sgt. Bailey),Courtney Gains(Whitey)and R.D Call(Officer Baines)give good performances as well.The direction by Dennis Hopper is terrific,with Hopper bringing a gritty and realistic style and look to the film. Amazing direction,Hopper.The score by Herbie Handcock is fantastic,stylish and energetic matching the energy of the movie. Great score,Handcock. Also,listen for the classic Hip-Hop title song Colors by Ice-T.In final word,if you love Dennis Hopper,Sean Penn or Robert DuVall,I highly suggest you see Colors,an excellent,powerful and gripping Crime Drama that you will never forget. Highly Recommended. 10/10.

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

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).