Bad Boys (1983)

Prior to starring in the hard-edged 1983 drama Bad Boys, Sean Penn had proven his early promise in the TV movie The Killing of Randy Webster, played a memorable supporting role in Taps (with fellow newcomer Tom Cruise), and created the definitive California surfer dude as the perpetually stoned Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. But it was Bad Boys that cemented Penn's reputation as a rare talent--an actor whose skill transcended his youth, revealing a depth and maturity that the majority of his acting peers could only aspire to. That gravity and emotional dimension is evident throughout Penn's performance here as Mick O'Brien, a chronic offender whose path to a Chicago juvenile corrections facility seems utterly preordained. The institution is hardly conducive to reformation--it's a jail for problem kids, and a cauldron for all the societal ills that sent kids there in the first place. Mick's there because he was involved in a shootout during a botched robbery of drugs from rival street gangster Paco Moreno (Esai Morales), whose little brother was killed when Mick accidentally ran him over with his getaway car.

Overcrowding results in Mick and Paco's being sent to the same facility (one of the film's few stretches of credibility), and this leads to a rather predictable showdown that will take the juvie prison's violence to its inevitable extreme. It's a shame this conclusion ultimately doesn't live up to the film's superior first hour, but Bad Boys remains a remarkably authentic, even touching portrait of troubled youth whose torment is conveyed through thoughtful and richly emotional development of characters. Director Rick Rosenthal (who had previously helmed Halloween II) maintains a vivid sense of setting within the correctional facility's cold walls, and through the performances of Penn and a superb supporting cast (including Ally Sheedy in her film debut as Mick's girlfriend), Bad Boys emerges as one of the best films of its kind, forcing the viewer to ask difficult questions about at-risk youth and the proper way to improve or at least preserve their endangered lives. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

The only TRUE Bad Boys movie to me!

This was one of my favorites when I was younger and I'm happy to see that I still enjoy it. Sean Penn's performance was great in this film. To include everyone else. It has a very good dark atmosphere, solid acting, and action.

Bad Boys of course stars Sean Penn as a lunatic delinquent. He pulls off a crime that kills a young kid and lands him in a youth prison. He has to put up with the other inmates plus fight for his life later.

This is a very exciting movie and I recommend this to those especially who are fans of 80's films. The DVD extras aren't that great. Containing just the trailer and commentary. December 28, 2007

The Real Bad Boys Movie

I remember seeing this movie as a youngster and loved the fact that it was raw and in your face! (one I remebered into adulthood) I had my three boys watch this flick along with the Warriors, Cool Hand Luke and Papillon. This is the true Bad Boys not that Will Smith Hollywood BS. The scene with the coke cans in the pillow case is one to remember!!! You the MAN O'Brian!!! November 12, 2007

INTERESTING YOUTH PRISON FILM WITH AN EARLY SEAN PENN PERFORMANCE!

Bad Boys...Bad Boys, watcha gonna do, watcha gonna do when they come for you! This early 80's film about a youth reform school for really bad boys is very entertaining and full of familiar faces. Penn gives another great performance as a young punk heading straight for the "big house". The film is dark,gritty and feels true for the most part but, there is some unintentional laughter regarding some prison policies. The DVD transfer is very good with very little extras including a commentary and trailer. November 11, 2007

"Bad" Script/Acting

Sean Penn is overexposed nd overrated but certainly has proved self capable in other outings. He fails here first as the "hard delinquent" whose enviroment led to his crimes and second as the "sensitive inmate" who sees the light and just wants to go home.
Eric Gurry appears as Horowitz, playing the Jewish stereotype- craftiness and comic relief - a stupid casting attempt at lightening a grim reformatory flick.
While Penn is unbuyable as Chicago street tough, he is worse in a scene where he expresses sorrow over a family tragedy.Penn was lucky people liked his Jeff Spicoli character enough for Hollywood to give him another chance in "At Close Range", a much better outing for Mr.Penn. September 20, 2007

HOROWITZ ALL THE WAY!!!

My favorite character (played by Eric Gurry) in this emotion-packed, action-packed prison drama.
Loved it when Horowitz starts a food fight/riot in the mess hall and practically goes bonkers with the
joy of it. A real blast.

There is a fight scene in this flick that entails a pillow case filled with canned sodas that is worth the price of admission alone.

It's hard to believe that the same guy who directed the lame Halloween II directed this hard-hitting punks-in -trouble flick--but he did.

Definitely worth seeing. Ally Sheedy, Sean Penn do good work. Reni Santoni is also excellent here. July 18, 2007

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