Terror an der Highschool

I had seen this movie when it first aired back in the mid-eighties(I was a senior in high school at the time), and when I saw it again recently on cable TV, I realized that, for a made-for-TV film, it's not too bad. It's not great, either, but at least the writer and director seemed to not want to crank out yet another quickie network television thriller. The story gets surprisingly gritty, and a little bloody, in places. Even so,I think this film's big claim-to-fame is that the actor in the lead role is none other than future Speed-ster, dude-in-training Keanu Reeves. Check him out here at age 21!

I was a senior at Aptos High School when this movie was filmed there...and an extra (As many of my friends). It was incredible meeting, spending a little time with or around the main actors in this filming....as they would all become pretty huge actors. Being around to see it shot really effected the way I viewed this when it was finally released on Television. It was incredible to see the different Location shot in the same scenes...and as mentioned in other reviews the actors were young...I think Kiefer Sutherland was by far the most famous and experienced at this point...ad he was very cool and normal to everyone...Keanu Reeves had still not broken as a huge actor yet, but in his head he was the best of the crew....Billy Zane was also cool...but was very much like he appears in many movies...a little strange in ways of thinking of things...and many strange things to say...but all the actors were very cool. This is definitely worth watching, the scenes are fun to watch and the locations they were shot in are also cool to see...and it was great seeing all of the actors and actresses involved. Plus there is nothing cooler then seeing a number of your friends in multiple scenes...and your High School. I give it overall a thumbs up.

Derek (Keanu Reeves) is from an upper class home. His girlfriend Christie (Lori Loughlin) has to work for the money. He's jealous of her friendship with Victor (Kiefer Sutherland). After another incident of vandalism at school, the principal urges the students to set their own example. Quarterback Derek leads his football teammates in forming the Brotherhood of Justice. They crash a party where drugs are supposedly being used. Derek finds drugs on his brother and they beat up the drug dealer. Things soon get out of control as the vigilantes turn ever more violent. Derek has second thoughts.

It's early Kiefer Sutherland and it's understandable that he was underused. He could have been an amazing violent second to Keanu Reeves. It's a missed opportunity although Billy Zane isn't that bad. Keanu is alright but he's better in River's Edge. The other problem is that it's missing an explosive ending. This needs to build to a kick-ass blowup but the end fizzles. It's fun to see some early Kiefer and Keanu but this is not their break-outs yet.

I not only have seen this movie, I was an extra in it in about 15 scenes. I think Keanu Reeves was a bad actor then and hasn't got much better since. It's a fun movie to see as there are many actors and actresses just starting out their careers. Just don't expect any Oscar performances except for the extra who says, "No". He is amazing. The plot is fairly weak but it was only a made for TV movie in the first place so you don't expect too much anyway. The movie is filmed in Santa Cruz County in California. Lost Boys was also filmed here and was a much better movie with quite a cult following. Kiefer Sutherland was in both movies. I would recommend this movie to watch just to see everyone in their first stages of acting.

Santa Lucia High School has a real problem with juvenile delinquents. They're making it bad for the rest of the student body. After an inspirational talk from school principal Joe Spano, a group consisting of student government leaders and jocks decide to do something about it.

Keanu Reeves and his friends form something called The Brotherhood of Justice. They've got access to information that local law enforcement doesn't have and they make use of it accordingly. They know who all dope dealer, thieves, and bullies are and the Brotherhood deals out their own brand of justice accordingly.

Problem is that the members of this secret little fraternity start to use if for their own ends. It leads to some serious consequences for all concerned.

This made for television film was the first notice both Keanu Reeves and Kiefer Sutherland got. This was before the Bill&Ted films for Keanu and the first Young Guns for Kiefer. Both of them show a charisma that was apparent back then. No doubt wither of them would become stars.

Also Lori Loughlin of Full House and Billy Zane who was Leonard DiCaprio's nemesis in Titanic had some supporting roles.

The specter of vigilantism is always beneath the surface in society. There is certainly a great temptation to make matters in your own hand. The Brotherhood of Justice is not a great film, but not a bad one either and a bit above the average drama geared toward the teenage crowd.