The Brotherhood of Justice

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.

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.

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.

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 have to start by stating that I have an unusually low boredom threshold! This film wasn't brilliant, but wasn't the worlds worst either.

What was interesting was how Billy Zane, Keanu Reeves and Kiefer Sutherland all looked the same age and now, Kiefer and Billy look about the same, but Keanue still has his youthfull charms ... hmmm! :)

Also funny was how even the one line extras upstaged Keanu - not that I've got anything against the guy. He's very good at what he does, the Matrix and Bill & Teds' series show his talent.

Overall an average TV movie - worth a watch if you've got a couple of hours to kill, but not worth going out of your way for!