Colors (1988): Are Hodges and McGavin really that different?

Okay, so I just rewatched "Colors" and something's been bugging me. Everyone talks about how Danny McGavin (Sean Penn) is this hothead rookie cop and Bob Hodges (Robert Duvall) is the experienced old-timer trying to teach him the ropes, right? And Hodges is supposed to be all about understanding the community and de-escalation, while McGavin's trigger-happy or at least ready to throw down. But…are they really that different? Think about it. Hodges might talk a good game about knowing the streets, but he still resorts to violence when he feels threatened, especially when he and McGavin are jumped after the drive-by shooting. Does he try to understand the motivations of the gang members before drawing his weapon or even after? He's right there with McGavin, going for the guns. And McGavin, while definitely more impulsive, he does seem to genuinely want to make a difference, even if his methods are flawed and naive. I kinda think they both represent two sides of the same coin representing different perspectives on law enforcement: a desire to help, but tainted by distrust and a reliance on force. Maybe it's a stretch, but I kinda think the movie is subtly suggesting that no matter how much experience you have or how 'understanding' you try to be, the environment of gang violence ultimately corrupts even the best intentions. It's a grim thought, and maybe I'm giving Dennis Hopper (the director, just in case someone didn't know!) too much credit, but it adds another layer to what could've easily been a by-the-numbers buddy cop movie. What do y'all think? Am I totally off base here?