Razor Eaters

This film was better than I expected, but I wasn't expecting anything great. It really had nothing to say, but gave the aura of trying to deliver a message. Took itself way too seriously.

Making the 'Razor Eaters' irresponsible morons, doesn't make them rebellious heroes in my book. And claiming this was based on real life is laughable. Or would be if it was funny. Better than Young's first film, but that is saying nothing.

Some of the special effects were good, but too often I was suddenly out of the world of the film, waiting for the next bit. A good film shouldn't do that.

I try to support local films, but...

"Robert Kennedy said: 'Every society gets the kind of criminal it deserves.' Well, congratulations, Australia, you've earned us." – Razor Eaters. Shannon Young's Razor Eaters played at the Kansas Film Festival on 09/09/05. I didn't know much about it going in but I was blown away. Shannon Young and the detective, Paul Moder were in attendance and the Q&A was terrific. As an ultra violent low budget feature from Austrilia the story was terrific. Basically 5 criminals decide to take anarchistic vengeance upon society. They rampage throughout Melbourne videotaping their crimes and taunting the cops. Interesting twist; they decide to pay back criminals (except for the occasional football player , an advertising executive, a Parking Clerk and a Chinese girl). Regardless they swore to kill one drug dealer per day until the cops catch them. The movie gave a very plausible account of how they became anti-heroes. In fact in one scene they order T-shirts and then beat the guy when he tries to get paid. Afterwards he is proud to be beaten by the Razor Eaters and makes money by selling T-shirts (of course such a thing couldn't happen in America - why you would need to be a washed-up singer and sleep with 8 year old boys to get that kind of fame). A couple of final points. The Detective is a very interesting character. He is not a very good cop, not a lot of friends on the force, under suspicion for a "questionable" shooting. But he does track them down and well, enough said.

Razor Eaters is a great ultra-violent film. See it. BTW - The gang is called Razor Eaters for two reasons. The first is they are named after a true life monster who used to make some of his 19 victims eat razor blades. The second; the initials of all five members first names.

Some "director" must have been sitting around one day and suddenly had the incredibly bright, novel idea to make a movie about a bunch of immature teenagers running around laughing like low IQ morons at their own juvenile antics while engaging in a "crime spree." Ooh.. tense.

To make the entire matter even crappier, this genius director had the even more novel idea of -- guess what? -- showing us said crime spree through "the eyes of the perpetrators." This translates to a bunch of actors given hand-held cameras and videotaping themselves acting like, well... morons.

Of course, no such wannabe "gritty, urban violence" type of film would be complete without the thoughtful, tortured detective out to get these darn kids.

Skip this trite cow dung of a film and go rent "A Clockwork Orange" instead.

Oh, and ignore the negative votes against this review. They were most likely put in by the "actors" in this film and their loser friends. After all, with the exception of hapless victims like myself, they are the only ones looking in this dusty corner of the internet.

I picked up "Razor Eaters" up on DVD about ten years ago,"The film that launched a police investigation" and 18 certificate on the cover both sparked my interest. Finally dug it out of my DVD cupboard, was it worth the wait? Not really. A gang of young thugs video themselves on an orgy of crime and violence in Melbourne, Australia, targeting mainly drug and arms dealers. Much of the plot is taken up by the cop leading the investigation. A lot of the running time consists of him watching the VHS tapes of their exploits, it is a variation on the found footage movie, only these were deliberately sent to the authorities as the Razor Eaters wanted fame and infamy. The movie is obviously low budget. The picture quality was poor, the acting wasn't great, it became too repetitive and I found the ending a bit disappointing. Does have a cool punk/rock soundtrack though. If you want to see a gang run riot in Melbourne then watch the excellent "Romper Stomper" instead.

If any fans want to see 4 hours of extra features, buy the UK disc in 5.1 Surround. Includes 1 hour 'Making of' documentary, 30 deleted scenes, Music video, Fletcher's 'behind the scenes' video journal, Trailers and 'A look at FX'.

The UK version will soon be re-released through ILC entertainment with the new kick ass Australian designed cover early next year as well as the US ( who will also be releasing the Special Edition version)

Both these countries are planning on a theatrical release, so keep your eyes open for screenings. We will be in attendance for these.

For those of you seeking information on the real gang that inspired the film, The Hedge Burners rampaged their way through Melbourne during the mid eighties led by Mr Gregory A (name suppressed) AKA 'Lucifer' We spoke to the police officer who apprehended them. They were convicted on the videos they shot of their arson and vandalism attacks. Lucifer was gaoled for five years as a result. I contacted the gang but they declined to be interviewed, Scary dudes.

Paul Moder Producer