Punk's Dead: SLC Punk 2
Tags: romantic, philosophical

Plot synopsis:
The film outlines the daily lives of two punks in Salt Lake City, Utah in the fall of 1985: Stevo and his best friend, "Heroin" Bob; Stevo narrates the film. The nickname "Heroin" is ironic, as Bob is afraid of needles and actually believes that any drug (with the notable exception of alcohol and cigarettes) is inherently dangerous.
Stevo and Bob go from party to party while living in a dilapidated apartment. They spend much of their time fighting with members of other subcultures, particularly rednecks. Stevo has a casual relationship with a girl named Sandy, while Heroin Bob is in love with Trish, the manager of a head shop, but reluctant to ask her to become his girlfriend.
The two of them are shaped by their experiences with their parents. Stevo's parents, now divorced, are former hippies who are proud of their youthful endeavors; however, Stevo is revolted by what he perceives as their "selling out" by becoming affluent Reagan Republicans, which they lamely try to justify. Stevo's grades are excellent, and when his father—a lawyer with a Porsche and a penchant for younger women—sends an application to Harvard Law School and Stevo is accepted, he nevertheless rejects it because of his beliefs. By contrast, Bob's father is a paranoid, drunken wreck who mistakes his son and his friend for Central Intelligence Agency operatives, and chases them away with a shotgun when they visit him on his birthday.
Stevo begins to see the drawbacks of living the punk life. Sean, a fellow punk, is a drug dealer who once attempts to stab his mother while under the influence of an entire 100-dose sheet of acid, before being taken away by the police; Stevo later finds him panhandling on the streets with some obvious mental issues.
While Stevo understands that his relationship with Sandy is casual, he's still enraged when he discovers her having sex with another man, and savagely beats him, later loathing himself because his action contradicts his own belief in anarchism. His social circle begins to drift away, as Mike leaves Salt Lake City to attend the University of Notre Dame. Stevo falls in love with a young rich girl named Brandy (Summer Phoenix), who points out that his anarchistic clothing and attitude are more of a fashion choice than an actual political philosophy. Rather than being offended, Stevo takes the criticism thoughtfully and they passionately kiss.
At the same party, Heroin Bob complains of a headache (induced by Spandau Ballet's "She Loved Like Diamond" playing on a stereo), and is given Percodan, which he consumes after being told the pills are simply "vitamins" that will help his headache. The accidental drug overdose kills him in his sleep, seemingly justifying the aversion to chemicals he previously espoused in a diatribe delivered to Stevo. When Stevo discovers that his best friend is dead, he breaks down completely. At the funeral, he appears with a shaved head and changed clothing, and decides that he's done with his punk lifestyle. He decides to go to Harvard, and suggests in the narration that he marries Brandy and she will be the mother of his children. He notes in his closing narration that his youthful self would probably kick his future self's ass, wryly describing himself as ultimately just another poseur.
=== The "Tribes" ===
The film features several cliques presented as "tribes." The film focuses primarily on the punk tribe, but includes several others as well:
Punks: Stevo, Bob, Sean, Megan, and Mike belong to this tribe, although Mike doesn't dress the part. The punks are rivals of the mods, Nazis and rednecks.
Mods: Mods wear suits and ties, and they ride scooters. They're generally the rivals of the punks, but the character John the Mod acts as a diplomat who freely moves between the tribes. In the beginning of the movie, the mods are trying to buy acid from Sean.
Rednecks: Rednecks are rural Utah folk who wear trucker caps and flannel, and drive around in big trucks. Punks hate them for their conservative views.
Neo-Nazis: Neo-Nazis are white power skinheads who wear pseudo-military fatigues and Nazi armbands. Punks and mods are shown to be predatory towards the Nazis.
The Heavy metal Guys: They have long hair and flannel. Not much else is known about them, except that Stevo explains that they are predatory toward the New Wavers.
New wavers: They are people who dress like New Romantics and are said to be the least threatening of the tribes. They are described as being "the new hippies." Every Tribe is predatory to the New Wavers.
The Teddy Boys: Though it is not mentioned in the film itself, Eddy belongs to the Teddy Boy scene.

Review: This is NOT a punk movie.
BTW Bob's mohawk was never that long in the original movie, something they must have overlooked, but die hard fans of the first would never overlook.
There are so many fails in this movie that I could go on for hours about, but I won't.
Everyone in this film looked and acted like posers!
'PUNK'S DEAD: SLC PUNK 2': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)A sequel to the 1998 cult classic 'SLC PUNK!'; once again written and directed by James Merendino.
Goorjian, Devon Sawa, James Duval and Adam Pascal all reprise their roles (from the original film); as Heroin Bob, Sean, John the Mod and Eddie.
Matthew Lillard (the star of 'SLC PUNK!') did not agree to return, to his most iconic role.
The film also stars Ben Schnetzer, Machine Gun Kelly, Hannah Marks and Sarah Clarke (replacing Annabeth Gish, as Trish).
The film tells the story of three outsider rebels, on a road trip to a punk rock show.
The story, this time, revolves around a 19-year-old misfit, named Ross (Schnetzer); the son of Heroine Bob (Goorjian) and Trish (Clarke).
Bob died before Ross was born, but he still narrates his story; from beyond the grave.
Ross just got dumped by a girl, and has decided to go on a road trip with two punk friends, Penny (Marks) and Crash (Kelly), to a punk rock show.
Along the way he does drugs and alcohol, for the very first time, and his mother becomes very concerned; upon hearing about it.The movie is extremely low-budget, and amateurish looking; which is very fitting for a movie about punks, and punk rock music.
I admire the message of the film, and a lot of things the filmmakers were trying to say, but I just don't think it came together right (as a whole).
The jokes are not funny, and the characters all seem like bad fake stereotypes.
In a way, the movie kind of becomes what it's supposed to be fighting against.
In a way, the movie kind of becomes what it's supposed to be fighting against.
There are some good live performance in it (from the likes of Dwarfs and Screeching Weasel), and the soundtrack is pretty cool though!Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://youtu.be/n2qWxeZ0Tck. The title doesn't lie, Punk really is dead..
I like many other misfits gravitated towards a film like SLC Punk!
It was a movie for anyone and everyone who had ever felt like they just didn't belong, especially from a small town where most all forms of personal expression made you some kind of a pariah.
So to find a film like James Merendino's original really spoke to the majority of us.
It's sequel, however, falls short of delivering anything beyond a few tiny chuckles.SLC Punk!
had and continues to have a huge following, of which this sequel couldn't have even been possible without all the fan support.
After a couple quick feelings of nostalgia for seeing some familiar faces, Punk's Dead is pretty much just a less interesting rehash of the original.
It pretty much is the polar opposite of SLC Punk!
The characters, new and old, could have easily been replaced by cardboard cutouts and it really wouldn't have made that much of a difference.It's worth watching once to say you've seen it, but it looks and feels like a much more amateurish film that the original.
If there's something to take away from the film, it's that simply, some stories are better left untold, even if the characters have moved on and changed since then.
Where they end up is just disappointing and it feels as if they just go around in circles for the entirety of this movie.
As for me, I'll stick with the first film and having seen this once, I never need to watch it again..
I was glad when it was over.I wonder why anyone would make such a listless movie.The characters each seem indulgent yet none are developed to the point where they provide any interest.The usefulness of a car ride as a sort of journey device is marginalized by the redundant and boring settings.The production value is mix and match mediocre.The narrator's bad acting is creepier than the creepiness of employing a dead narrator character.The climax of the story is not even anti climatic, but at least you know the end is near..
Slc Punk was one of the greatest films about the social commentary of the punk rock scene in the mid 80's.
So when I heard this film was getting a sequel I was intrigued.
I was disappointed with the overall story of this film.
Ross was bland, over emotional with little explanation or character development of the relationship he was grieving over.
I saw the movie in NYC and I loved it.
It's the natural evolution of the characters, as we all did evolve since SLC Punk.
New characters give even more depth to this story and the whole thing is a movie full of fun, wisdom and humanity.
This movie also shows that besides major studios big money, you can still enjoy indie movies with a great story, amazing actors and a smart and strong director willing to carry his movie till it's made.
To be honest, this movie isn't a sequel to the first film in any relatable sense.
Some characters appear with the same names as some in the first film, there is some narration that happens, a goth kid goes to a punk show, gets hammered, has a revelation while getting the hell beat out of him, and end show?
SLC Punk!
The original was one of those films better left on its own.
Ross's character, which could arguably be considered as one that isn't the standard definition of "punk", was a refreshing twist.
I sincerely hope this movie goes down as a classic and is as well loved and received as the first.
But the character development is nothing compared to the original SLC which may have to do a lot to do with it being told in 3rd person.
I think the punk aspect is mostly an aesthetic and not very necessary to to the overall story, unfortunately.
A lot seemed forced to make this happen, and as a fan of SLC Punk, I appreciate the attempt..
F*ckin loved it like the first one, shown to me by my best friend, the first punk kid i've ever met.So here's why this movie is awesome to me.I was the goth/cyberpunk kid who grew up with punks.
Going to shows in LA, moshing our asses off for every single song that's played, dripped in sweat and someone else's blood.This movie was great because it reminds me of the first show I ever went to.
Its a reminder that, no matter how old you get, you can wear a tie and work a day job, but you're still a punk no matter what.
This is one of those movies I'll be buying (along with the first one), showing my kids if DVD's are still a thing, going "listen here you little sh*ts.
This here is what love looks like.
In short, this movie is excellent because its something anyone in the scene who's getting older can relate to.
Even with the irony of the title, its a reminder that punk's not dead, because punk is where the love's at.
Its one of those movies that make you remember.Thank you heroine bob..
SLC Punk is a great coming of age movie focused on after college life, through the eyes of modern day rebels.
In any case, really good movie and dialog touches and goes to interesting places.
the shallow time of a hour and fifteen made me nervous from the start I know this movie didn't have a budget like the last one but if Kevin smith can make clerks I'm pretty sure James could have rubbed a little bit of a better especially with the time he took to make this too.
Shawn drew it together and was the only character and maybe Trish that I enjoyed seeing again very well written stories for those two.
In the end it tried too hard to capture on slc punk and grow and yet start something new with Ross and his two friends if it had more time to develop it would have been better.
If your a die-hard SLC punk fan see it once to see some old faces again then forget about it..
In case you thought punk was for the young, here's James merendino saying "f**k that!".
I loved this movie!
I adored the first one so much and sequels aren't usually known for being as good as the original, but like Heroin Bob would've recommended, I gave it a chance.
**SPOILERS** If you grew up thinking that being a punk or a mod or whatever was just a phase and once you hit a certain point, you have to grow out of it, this movie is for you.
The film follows Heroin Bob's goth offspring soon after his first heartbreak, on a road trip with his friends, Crash and Penny, to a punk show.
a lot of your old favorites are back and there all plenty of call backs to the original to give you a nice laugh and let you feel that nostalgia.
Its really just a day of self discovery, and even though bob is dead, his narration is almost like he's watching over Ross.
it wasn't the original with new characters, it was something different, which is part of its appeal.
the old characters i loved are older and different, but they still enjoy their eccentricities, they didn't turn their backs on them, and i think its what i love most.
don't go in expecting slc punk.
punk's dead is what happens when the scene has changed and you're the older statesman of it, relaying the history to the younguns, OR the new kid just coming out to experience your own scene.
I loved the first one and always will and respect Mr. Merendinos efforts to try and create another punk inspired movie with a uniqueness all its own.
Sarah Clarke brought nothing new to the character of Trish.
Jenny Jaffes character (can't remember the name and Ijust watched it) was ridiculously overdone by over dramatic acting and just plain, not believable.
Penny and Crash were pretty decent as far as acting goes.
They were the only characters and narratives that brought even a hint of entertainment to this dull, lifeless film by bringing the nostalgia I had waited for.
The worst part of this movie was the utter lack of character development and aimless plot.
It was not just Penny though, the entire movie lacks any real character development necessary to bring this movie to life with characters that are relatable and interesting.
When the credits hit, I was left scratching my head in astonishment asking myself "Did the movie really just end like that?
Maybe he wanted to end it like that because he has plans for a trilogy?
Because exploiting fans excitement was the only way they were going to get enough money to make this God awful POS.
Again, I LOVE SLC Punk!
I was a fan of Punks Dead page for years and kept myself updated on everything that was happening in the making of the film.
What it ended up being was another ultimate sequel fail and huge disappointment to many fans.
What seems obvious to me is that this movie was definitely written with the return of the Matthew Lillard "Stevo" character in mind.
All the secondary characters from the first movie who returned for this one claim an uncle-type relationship with Ross, the son of Bob, who is the main character in this movie.
But none of those guys had particularly close relationships with Bob, or Trish, the mother, in the first movie.
He could have kept him around for the whole movie and thereby kept the door open on all kinds of interesting antics, but he had a real story to tell and Mark's part was over.
I like it when a writer's not afraid to leave a good character behind for the sake of the story.No such artistry here.
The only character who really gets left behind is Lillith, Ross's first love, who was not developed at all.
So when she ended up making out with some other guy in some dark corner of a bar and obviously breaking Ross's little heart, I for one felt nothing, even though this was supposed to be the seminal moment in the movie that sent Ross off on an entirely new path in life.
By the way, it's pretty obvious that at some point in his real life, Merendino had a girlfriend and caught her making out with another guy, because the same scene happened to Stevo in the first movie.
Does this happen that often in reality?Also missing from this movie was any kind of counterpoint to the youthful rebellion that is punk.
Christopher McDonald as Stevo's father in the first movie was a vital (not to mention hilarious) representation of the kind of vapid, money-motivated society that punk kids want no part of.
It was good to see Bob narrating from the afterlife.
Unfortunately it kept reminding me that the first movie contained some real substance.
I actually cried when Bob died in the first one.Overall, I'd recommend it for people who loved the first SLC Punk.
I can't imagine, though, the boredom that would probably be felt by someone viewing this movie as a stand-alone comedy-drama, with no frame of reference from the original.
The original SLC Punk was a very insightful commentary on the conflict between youthful idealism and the reality of transitioning to adulthood.
Such is life that I will never be able to be 21 again and see SLC Punk for the first time.
It's a movie I proudly watch with my kids.
Punk's Dead is incredible.
Punk's Dead is nostalgic, pays homage to SLC Punk and Punk Rock, I cried a few time and laughed a lot.
I like the different vibe between the kids who are just having fun and the adults bitterness..
SLC PUNK 2: PUNK'S DEAD - Review by Sara Conrad.
SLC PUNK 2: PUNK'S DEADSeventeen years after writer-director James Merendino released his semi-autobiographical film SLC Punk!, he has returned with Punk's Dead: SLC Punk 2.
In the most recent chapter of this series, we follow Ross, "Heroin" Bob's love child with Trish – if you have not seen the first movie – go rent it, come back and then read this review – and his passage thru adolescent angst.
This movie is not a "sequel" in any traditional sense of the word.
It does not pick up exactly where the other movie left off and fill in the blanks all nice and tidy The movie begins in typical SLC Punk fashion with "Heroin" Bob crashing thru the underworld to narrate the story of his son's trials and tribulations, introduce characters, and wax punkly poetic.
I am pretty sure Bob is still in the apartment Stevo & Bob lived in during the original film – nothing like the promises of the afterlife only to end up back in Utah, but I digress.
Ross has a couple friends – Crash and Penny.
Kelly actually does a pretty impressive job of depicting a troubled teen with a "you wish I gave a ***" attitude – not entirely sure if that's acting on his part – but he does manage to bring some heart to the relationship between Ross and himself.
After Ross gets his heart broken, the best way to get over a break up is to go party – at a punk concert, which by the by, the way the movie is shot is pretty impressive you're literally in the middle of mosh pits, huge crowd fights, on stage with the band.
Meanwhile, back in Salt Lake City – Trish, and emo/Mormon, Shelley, Sean, John – the mod, and Eddie – all from the original film join forces to find Ross as he is nowhere to be found and given his recent heartbreak and general gloominess, that can't be good.
On a personal note, aside from the analysis of this movie, I am a fan of the original SLC Punk!
I thought the soundtrack for both this movie and the original was absolutely amazing.
It marries both ends of punk spectrum.
What I did watch was the way that the different genres of music were affected not only by punk music but its mentality.
I think that regardless of whether or not you were a part of this movement or whether or not you even like rock music, punk rock, heavy metal, whatever.
I loved the original, as one who grew up a confused, sometimes crazed, punk n the 80s and into the 90s (I was an adult in the 90s but somethings you just hold onto) I massively identified with so much in SLC Punk.
In life with and the death of others, it was all so familiar, a bit like the story of my life, and I know so many others as well.
Having lost my own father around the same time SLC Punk came out, and not really truly knowing him, it hit home.
Even him falling for Penny, it was so much like me and my wife.
I used to think love was a lie, a thing we deceived ourselves with, just like Ross.
Yes the roles were a bit reversed, I was the punk and she was the goth.
This was a truly worthy continuance of the story and characters so many of us loved and identified with.
In so many ways that I didn't point out, this is a brilliant and moving as well as entertaining film, thank you for your obvious labor of love!