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.