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Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Critic Consensus: No consensus yet.
All Critics (18) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (0)
The ingenuity and appeal of this bizarre, riveting and compelling film lie in its value as reportage.
A bracing, stimulating and technically superb close-up look at the LA punk scene, pic is pitched at a perfect distance to allow for simultaneous engagement in the music and spectacle, and for rueful contemplation of what it all might mean.
The interviews are mostly very funny, probably not always intentionally so. It's far from unmissable, but it's valuable rock history with some great noise.
The Decline of Western Civilization' is a shrewd and engrossing documentary even for audiences who have absolutely no patience for the music it includes.
[A] still potent 1981 documentary about Los Angeles punk rock.
You can't put a price on a filmic document such as this one.
This is the first in a trilogy of rock documentaries made by Spheeris that, viewed today, seem like valuable cultural documents. But your granny won't like it.
This often-fascinating slice of rock history wisely avoids high-profile punk groups, and instead opts for bands who are still struggling to pay their rent.
This was the first time anyone had seen a mosh pit on-screen, and Spheeris somehow gets right in the scrum, capturing a blur of flailing bodies.
Spheeris doesn't stand at the remove some documentarians do; you feel like you're in the scene, at those shows, and in those rooms.
The result is both insanely funny and very frightening.
...a perfect symbol for the nihilistic hardcore punk rock that developed in Los Angeles - an angry and unwholesome scene that grew parallel to the more intellectual New York scene
Perfectly captures the self destructive nihilism of the late 70s punk movement through interviews and great performances by X, Fear, Black Flag, The Circle Jerks, Alice Bag Band, Catholic Discipline, and the Germs. Especially fascinating is watching interview and performances with Darby Crash of The Germs, in the months prior to his suicide. A powerful document of a moment in time.
Super Reviewer
It was interesting, but I guess because I was alive for the end of this era of music, I don't really appreciate it
a view from the pit at the height of the l.a. hardcore scene, circa 1980. blistering performances by black flag and x among others. film quality isn't great as this hasn't had a dvd release but it's well worth watching for those interested in a bunch of bored middle class kids bent on self destruction. i enjoyed it!
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