The Brotherhood of Justice

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!

When vandals damage the Santa Lucia High School, the principal Bob Grootemat (Joe Spano) joins the classes and presents a lecture to the students about the problems with vandals, drug dealers and other bad elements. Six friends - the students and football players Derek (Keanu Reeves), Scottie (Darren Dalton), Mule (Evan Mirand), Collin (Don Michael Paul), Barnwell (Gary Riley) and Les (Billy Zane) - decide to form a group of vigilantes to punish the delinquents and they call themselves "The Brotherhood of Justice". But the problem is when they decide to use their power for personal issues with other mates and lose control.

"The Brotherhood of Justice" is a film based on true event, with a story of a group of vigilante teenagers. The cast has many names of actors in the beginning of career and it is worthwhile watching to see them in their early work. The conclusion could have been better developed. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "A irmandade da Justiça" ("The Brotherhood of Justice")

If you are familiar with the character of "Johnny Utah" from the 1991 film Point Break, then you are going to notice some peculiar similarities in Keanu Reeve's character here. Only this came out five years earlier.

In both films he is a quarterback. In both films he straddles the line between good and bad human being. In both films people say things like, "DO IT, NOW!" In both films, people ask him to summon the fortitude that helped him win football games.

I admired the kids' sense of brotherhood, and desire to support their school. That's rare. But I also saw that arrogant sense of entitlement that jocks and some "soshe" types have in high school. Real A-Holes.

It was interesting to see that there was a Mexican side of town, even back then. Little did they know how things would change.

I like Keanu Reeves. He has a certain "everyman" quality. I also liked the way the film depicted the contrast of rich kids and the working class ones. Of course in this case, it was based on a true story.

The dialogue was fine. There were several good scenes between two people at a time. Two brothers, the cop and the principal, coworkers, best friends, etc. I love good dialogue.

Not a bad film at all. Interesting concept based on truth.

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.

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.