Sick Product of a Sick System

Overrated and overhyped

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

The only reason I give it a star is because I can't give it a 0. "Punks" are the most disgusting beings out there. They are the equivalent of what hipsters are to our society. They try to set themselves apart but in reality they're all a bunch of sheep. The only difference is they're following a different herd, but they're still sheep nonetheless. & anybody who tries to keep this sheep trend alive is just as bad. Punk= bratty middle class brats who think they're different and unique, but are just tool bags like everybody else. I'm glad this movie opened my eyes to the reality that music is just a lie.

Today it is hard to understand the subcultural magnificence of punk. But watching this film makes me feel if only for a moment what punk really is. I wasn't even born when this documentary was made and only saw it about a yr ago. I had been detached from the punk scene and after seeing Penelope's Speeris's masterpiece I got that same rush I get when watching one of my favorite 70's punk bands do a set in the run down old attic club I used to frequent in my early teens. Those of you who choose to look down on the punk world, do not understand it. Not everything has to make perfect sense to everyone but this documentary deserves the respect it has earned for portraying an overlooked generation so perfectly.

Decline is an excellent movie, but we must keep in mind that it only showcases one of the many sub-cultures of punk rock in LA at the time. the Germs and Fear etc are all great bands and the shots of them don't do them justice. but the shots of the fans cast an almost negative light on punk rockers. this movie was made at a time when angry youth from orange county found their way into the LA punk scene. they made it violent, (it always sort of was, but it was never meant to take away from the music) they are shown moshing for the sake of hurting each other not for celebrating the music; like the punkers before them. Decline is an excellent glimpse into the punk scene of the 70s and 80s, but be wary when showing it to someone who only has this to base their opinions of Punk rock on.

The One and the Only!The only really good description of the punk movement in the LA in the early 80's. Also, the definitive documentary about legendary bands like the Black Flag and the X. Mainstream Americans' repugnant views about this film are absolutely hilarious! How can music be SO diversive in a country of supposed liberty...even 20 years after...find out!