The Decline of Western Civilization Part III (1998)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Penelope Spheeris

Release Date:

13 November 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot Keywords:

Punk | Third Part | Sequel | Homelessness | Independent Film

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Stephen Chambers	...	Himself
Flea
Gary Fredo	...	Himself (LAPD)
Michael Orr	...	Pinwheel
Rick Wilder	...	Himself (The Mau-Maus)

Runtime:

86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Spheeris Films Inc.

Movie Connections:

Follows The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)

The name says it all...

I like P. Shpeeris, so I might be a little biased toward this movie. I think she did a good job with it, but as an interviewer, she comes across as a frustrated mother. Then again, how can anyone not be frustrated with the kids depicted in this film. From the opening interview, it's apparent that the movie's subjects are lazy and pretty stupid. Yes, I know some of them came from broken homes, etc., but they all come across as degenerates. It's hard to be sympathetic toward these teen-age train wrecks, but it's even harder to turn away from this film. And one has to question why these kids are the way they are? Has our country bred a subculture of mohawked hobos? Or, are things really that screwed up for troubled youth? The answers will vary depending on whom you ask, but go into this movie knowing you will be either very sad or very angry.