The New Centurions – Review

Alright you knuckleheads, get in step! The film opens with the LAPD’s training group. Running, fighting, pushups, gun training and more are displayed, then it is graduation time for the cadets. Then it’s time for patrol. New officer Roy Fehler (Keach) pairs up with Andy Kilvinski (Scott) in order to hit the streets and learn the ropes.

Andy states that “Kilvinski’s Law” states to treat everyone the same, white, black, brown or otherwise. This is no Hollywood crap with a one-punch cop or karate that will save your ass. Rule Two of Kilvinski’s Law is to up the ante on the perps, as in fists are met with a nightstick, knives are met with guns, and to cancel the guy’s ticket right then and there.

Another rookie Sergio Duran (Estrada) pairs up with Galloway (Lauter). Galloway focuses on pointing out the Lobos gang, and maintaining order. New cadet graduate Gus Plesby (Wilson) gets partnered up with Whitey Duncan (James). Duncan has no patience for the violent couple that the cops take.

As this trio of rookies figure out how to survive as a cop in Los Angeles, their experienced partners have all seen enough to give them a rough edge. Will Roy’s goal of becoming a criminal law student and lawyer remain intact as the year winds on? How will Gus’ three kids and family handle his attitude as a cop? Will Sergio stay sane as a former street kid now patrolling the same area?

The New Centurions is based on a novel and features a deep dive into the cop livelihood, and how it can affect both time on and off the job for officers. While it is totally a cop movie, it features a look into the psyche and lifestyle of officers. The rookies all have their separate backgrounds and life goals, and it is interesting to watch them face the challenges of the cop life and figuring out how to patrol their city.

The cast is pretty good with a few strong actors leading the charge, and while it moves a touch slow the director keeps it mostly interesting. As the film covers a multitude of years, the actors perform a range of emotions and behaviors as their lives adjust. The 70s setting fits the picture just fine and the script is intriguing enough to push through its short enough runtime. There are themes of race, family, prejudice, community, grief, fear, depression, uncertainty, and unjustified shootings included in the story. There is a touch of action but mostly it is a character study of the life of a few police officers.

Take it from me kid, after 23 years you can smell ‘em.