Hardcore Never Dies

The title and marketing would make it seem like this is a movie about hardcore gabber, but that is only partially the case. Despite that, if you lived through the 90s and went to gabber raves in Rotterdam like me, I think there is still enough to like.

Let's start with my gripes. I did not find the "troubled brother" very convincing as a real Rotterdam gabber. The main protogonist seemed inexplicably way more upper middle class than his parents. His affliction with gabber also seemed a bit superficial. If your first experience of raving in the early 90s as a teen was a gabber rave in the Energiehal with proper chemical stimulation, let me tell you: it would be extremely unusual for this not to be the beginning of an intense obsession. The ending also is a bit abrupt and superficial: after a little foray into the evil and criminal world of hardcore gabber, our young protogonist can put this all behind him to proceed with a serious life as a classical pianist? His hardcore seemed to have died quite quickly then.

On the up side, I liked most of the supporting cast, including the "villains". Though the story wasn't incredibly original (in fact almost cliche), there was still enough depth for me not to be bored. Though not everything about the raves was "period correct", much of it was done well enough to give me some goosebumpish flashbacks. You do get a sense of the intense energy of the music, the crowd, and the drugs. As a Rotterdam native it was fun to recognize locations.

In summary, I was plenty entertained despite the flaws and false advertizing.

My friend and I watched the movie for old times sake and it was pretty damn amazing. They put a lot of detail in the surrounding (entrance/ tunnel Energiehal), clothing (Australian suits and Nikes, even one's we had!) and usage of words and quasi-philosophies (intro of the movie). The story is close to some experiences we had and witnessed ourselves during the days as gabbers in Rotterdam-Delft-Den Haag. So a big compliment for the writers who did a good job in the overall research. Some would say that the story is simple or predictable but life back then was for some just how the movie projects. I think that most of us in the scene knew somebody who lived a life like this. If you want to have a great flashback or want to show your kids how it was back in the '90 gabber scene this movies comes close to a documentary and that's a great achievement! Overall we would thank the makers of this tribute of our scene and life. My friend and I had a good afternoon and a lot to talk about. Hardcore never dies!

As i said in the title, don't watch it for the story...that's really not that interesting and extremely predictable.

If you however either grew up in, or are interested int the hardcore/gabber culture in mid/late 90's Netherlands...man is it all just so recognizable.

The attention to detail is great, from the clothing to the music...even the hairgel in the main character's bedroom gave me those nostalgic feelings.

Overall it's played well, it looks and feels great, at times it's hilarious and for a particular group of people extremely nostalgic...just don't expect a great story because you will be disappointed.

With music you transcend your life. In classical music & hardcore. Do you choose the energetic music with edges or the music that we think is a bit more well-behaved. In this movie they seem to reinforce each other. Can you handle the temptations that the life with edges has got and can you maintain yourself on the edges of the volcano or are you slowly slipping away? Do you choose a hardcore life because of resistance to normal life and when you enter it, are you pushed away from normal life? Do people actually choose for living with the protagonist or do they end up with him because they can no longer live elsewhere? These are dilemmas that the film presents to you.

Loved watching the movie and overall acting with the typical Rotterdam 90's vibe around it. For Dutch people it might be more interesting then others. The plot was good but the storyline just didn't finish and ended abruptly. It left me with some questions I would have liked answered. Jim Deddes (Danny) was a pleasure to watch. Good overall casting. I was happy to see that there where no typical Dutch actors like you would see in a lot of Dutch movies. There is enough in this for a part two, but I think a part two would ruin it. Overall, great intense crime movie with some insight into the gabber culture.