Rating summary
Movie | | 3.5 |
Video | | 3.5 |
Audio | | 3.5 |
Extras | | 5.0 |
Overall | | 4.0 |
Dudes Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 16, 2017
Whatever one thinks of “Dudes,” it’s certainly not the work of a director who wasn’t prepared. By the time she got around to helming the 1987
picture, Penelope Spheeris already created an indelible portrait of the punk rock scene with 1981’s “The Decline of Western Civilization,” using her
experiences with antisocial and depressive behavior featuring the youth of the day to inform her next two movies, 1983’s “Suburbia” and 1985’s “The
Boys Next Door.” She was already well-versed in the language and stance of a disillusioned generation, making her a natural fit for the extended
oddity of “Dudes,” which blends the primal scream of punk rock with the cowboy liberation of life in the Old West. Granted, she’s not completely able
to tame screenwriter Randall Jahnson’s wily imagination, and perhaps nobody could. The film is a mess, but a fascinating one, smashing genres
together to create its own identity as a revenge feature that’s more about the journey within than the squeeze of a trigger.
Living a miserable life in New York City, punkers Grant (Jon Cryer), Biscuit (Daniel Roebuck), and Milo (Flea) are ready to escape their depression,
hoping to make a change in Los Angeles. On the drive there, the outsiders experience the intensity of nature and wide open spaces, and they
eventually face the wrath of drunken monster Missoula (Lee Ving), who, along with his gang, terrorizes the New Yorkers, eventually murdering
Milo. Enraged and left without any money, Grant and Biscuit try to gather themselves and consider revenge, only they can’t deal with the West,
unable to fit in as they visit several towns. Attempting to get a handle on their masculinity and spirituality, the pair experiences an awakening of
sorts, with Biscuit transforming into a Native American warrior and Grant becoming a gunslinger, adapting to their surroundings. Receiving help
from Jesse (Catherine Mary Stewart), a kindly local, Grant and Biscuit strive to pick up Missoula’s scent and send him to Hell for his vicious crime.
“Dudes” is a scrappy production introducing viewers to the experience of miserable punks who work to maintain their mosh pit duty, but dream of
a better life. For Milo, this means a place with grass and sun, away from the concrete jungle of NYC, inspiring a move that initially doesn’t seem
possible. With minimal moves, Spheeris generates an evocative feel for the punk rock scene on the East Coast, but Jahnson’s story soon takes off
into the West, with the helmer enjoying the contrast of punkers with stained shirts, pinned pants, and mohawks driving through the sun-baked
open range, eased along by a remarkable soundtrack that has the guts to curate tunes from Faster Pussycat, WASP, Jane’s Addiction, The Vandals,
and Megadeth.
Violence soon visits the wanderers, attacked at a campfire by Missoula and his loyal goons. Jahnson creates a revenge plot with the murder of Milo,
but he’s in no hurry to get there, launching Grant and Biscuit on a journey of self before they begin to gear up for a final fight. The men aren’t the
brightest, with Grant especially doubting their chances, but both punkers receive a call of sorts from mystical forces, eased along by a bottle of
homebrew liquor. “Dudes” gets hallucinogenic on more than one occasion, with the characters imagining their lives in the Old West, with Biscuit
getting in touch with his Native American influences, while Grant is visited by a mysterious cowboy. The images inspire narrative change, but the
interludes throttle “Dudes,” which get a little lost during its second act as it indulges lengthy abstraction. It’s not a focused endeavor, but it offers
interesting ideas and terrific atmosphere. And some needed concentration arrives with the introduction of Jessie, a commanding character who
becomes a teacher for Grant, showing him the cowboy way.
Dudes Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Apparently, "Dudes" never even received a DVD release, making this Blu-ray perhaps something special for fans of the movie. The AVC encoded image
(1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation appears to be in line with an average catalog release, displaying some age and possibly baked-in filtering. Detail is
adequate, capturing punk and western decoration, while some facial particulars are open for examination. Colors aren't threatened, highlighting bolder
costuming and period hues, and locations retain their moody appearance. Greenery is satisfactory, and skintones are natural. Delineation isn't
problematic. Grain is heavier but filmic. Source has some wear and tear, with scratches and speckling present, but nothing distracting.
Dudes Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix on "Dudes" handles the cacophonous mood of the movie adequately. While there's no obvious distortion, many
elements are trying to be heard at once, creating a noisy listening event, and intentionally so. Dialogue exchanges are comfortable, registering
mumbled performances and heated encounters. Soundtrack selections retain their metal edge, and while precise instrumentation isn't always available,
power and loudness remains. Atmospherics are basic but effective, sound effects hold together.
Dudes Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Interview (31:42, HD) with Jon Cryer (conducted by Penelope Spheeris) is a lively exploration of the "Dudes" filmmaking
experience with an affable guest. Cryer explores the process of his casting, with a producer adamant about hiring him (Spheeris wanted Keanu
Reeves), and he discusses his education on the punk scene, as being a child of musical theater didn't prepare him properly for the role. Also of
concern for a road trip movie was Cryer's inability to drive, requiring some lessons and a lot of luck. The pair works through the picture's co-stars,
sharing anecdotes and memories, and Cryer articulates his process of characterization. Lastly, the duo offer reflection on "Dudes" 30 years later,
with both of them completely surprised the oddball feature was even made in the first place.
- Interview (26:05, HD) with Flea (conducted by Spheeris) showcases a different side to the Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist,
who seems genuinely excited about his rise as a semi-actor, previously working with Spheeris on "Suburbia." Flea shares his career hopes as a
teenager, which even found him playing with Lee Ving in the band Fear for a short time. For "Dudes," Flea details the difficulty of riding a horse and
shares the complexity of his musical tastes, which blended nicely with the movie's soundtrack. Spheeris also quizzes the rock star on his preference
between acting and playing music.
- Interview (13:01, HD) with Catherine Mary Stewart explores what drew the actress to the character, playing an
empowered role during a filmmaking era that was beginning to showcase a level of heroism for women. Stewart shares her love for horses, taking
easily to the picture's western interests, and she offers thoughts and anecdotes about her co-stars and Spheeris.
- Interview (25:15, HD) with Daniel Roebuck is similar to Cryer's conversation, inspecting the casting process and his on-
set memories. Most interestingly, Roebuck shares the professional opportunity "Dudes" provided by allowing him to play against type after "River's
Edge," creating a professional challenge.
- Interview (14:12, HD) with screenwriter Randall Jahnson and producer Miguel Tejada-Flores examines how Spheeris
joined the production and the preservation of the material's tone and complexity when facing with the crushing process of marketing the effort,
which left industry types scratching their heads. For fans of the film, the pair is joined by the original Daredelvis sign that hung on the rodeo
warrior's trailer.
- Making Of (6:50, SD) is a 1987 featurette that works very carefully to explain what "Dudes" is to the general public,
using clips and interviews with key cast and crew to share the idiosyncrasy contained within.
- Photo Gallery (7:39) is a wonderful assortment of BTS snaps, highlighting crew camaraderie and mischief during the long
days.
- And a Theatrical Trailer (2:25, HD) is included.
Dudes Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
"Dudes" travels around the west (visiting towns like Peckerville), and Grant and Biscuit stir up all kinds of trouble on the road and at a rodeo, adding
some blasts of action to the odyssey (there's even a shootout inside a movie theater). And, just to keep things quirky, there's the addition of
Daredelvis (Pete Willcox), an Elvis impersonator who doubles as a rodeo clown, making friends with Grant and Biscuit, while helping them out of a few
jams. "Dudes" is the kind of film that can offer a world with a Daredelvis and trippy role play sequences and not fall completely apart. Spheeris keeps
the picture upright, and while pacing and plotting issues are persistent, the feature remains an original vision with a superb soundtrack, and it's just
weird enough to beguile.