Review: Sit Back, Enjoy 'Biker Boyz' Ride
Movie Has Stunning Action Sequences
POSTED: 10:05 p.m. EST February 2, 2003
'Biker Boyz' (PG-13)
(out of four popcorns)
"Biker Boyz" is one part action flick, one part romance, one part soul searching and one part modern Western.
It all adds up to a film that will keep audiences entertained, especially the teen set who have grown up on MTV videos and X-Treme games.
The film is based on a 1999 article of the same name that appeared in the Los Angeles alternative newspaper New Times, and written by Michael Gougis. The story profiled the world of black motorcycle clubs that compete in drag-races and fraternize up and down the coast of southern California.
In the world of the underground clubs, an undefeated racer known as Smoke (Laurence Fishburne) rules the roost. He's the undisputed "King of Cali." Smoke is about to be challenged by a young motorcycle racing prodigy called Kid (Derek Luke), who is determined to take over Smoke's throne. Kid is no stranger to Smoke. His bike mechanic and best pal is Slick Will, who just happens to be Jalil, aka Kid's, father.
If you're expecting a story about family relationships and the quest for greatness, it's here. But you'll want to bypass all that deep thinking and get right to the action sequences. The stunts are what make "Biker Boyz" worth seeing.
With camera work that gets inside the daredevil antics of the bikers, it's an edge-of-your seat display of sheer artistry: Think "Fast and Furious" on motorcycles.
There are a few cheesy scenes that mimic something straight out of "The Karate Kid," but you'll be able to excuse the over-enthusiasm and heavy handedness of director Reg Rock Bythewood, who also co-wrote the script. Jalil's strained relationship with his mother and a surprise deep, dark secret also give this movie a "gee whiz" factor. Bythewood however makes up for these antics by giving viewers intoxicating speed racing and cheap motorcycle thrills.
In a cool casting move, Kid Rock turns up as Smoke competitor Dogg, the leader of The Strays. (Yes, there are a lot of Kids in this movie.)
Kid Rock said it wasn't that difficult to step into the boots of Dogg since he's been riding motorcycles almost all of his life. Fishburne also is a seasoned motorcycle rider as are other stars of the film Djimon Hounsou, Orlando Jones, Tyson Beckford and Salli Richardson-Whitfield.
Girls won't find too many role models in this film, however. Despite the presence of some female bikers (Lisa Bonet stars as Queenie, the president of her own all-women motorcycle club), most of the females in the movie are left to be trophies on the back of the boys' bikes. Jalil's strong-willed mother, played by Vanessa Bell Calloway, is the only female in the film who is more than just a paper doll.
But there are more pluses than minuses in this movie.
The authenticity of life inside the motorcycle club will give the filmgoer the feeling he has been inducted into a special club.
It is also good to see a film that gives mainstream America a view of black life that isn't painted as a bleak picture.
"Biker Boyz" doesn't go deep, but that's not its intention. It's best if you just sit back and enjoy the ride.
(out of four popcorns)
"Biker Boyz" is one part action flick, one part romance, one part soul searching and one part modern Western.
It all adds up to a film that will keep audiences entertained, especially the teen set who have grown up on MTV videos and X-Treme games.
The film is based on a 1999 article of the same name that appeared in the Los Angeles alternative newspaper New Times, and written by Michael Gougis. The story profiled the world of black motorcycle clubs that compete in drag-races and fraternize up and down the coast of southern California.
In the world of the underground clubs, an undefeated racer known as Smoke (Laurence Fishburne) rules the roost. He's the undisputed "King of Cali." Smoke is about to be challenged by a young motorcycle racing prodigy called Kid (Derek Luke), who is determined to take over Smoke's throne. Kid is no stranger to Smoke. His bike mechanic and best pal is Slick Will, who just happens to be Jalil, aka Kid's, father.
If you're expecting a story about family relationships and the quest for greatness, it's here. But you'll want to bypass all that deep thinking and get right to the action sequences. The stunts are what make "Biker Boyz" worth seeing.
With camera work that gets inside the daredevil antics of the bikers, it's an edge-of-your seat display of sheer artistry: Think "Fast and Furious" on motorcycles.
There are a few cheesy scenes that mimic something straight out of "The Karate Kid," but you'll be able to excuse the over-enthusiasm and heavy handedness of director Reg Rock Bythewood, who also co-wrote the script. Jalil's strained relationship with his mother and a surprise deep, dark secret also give this movie a "gee whiz" factor. Bythewood however makes up for these antics by giving viewers intoxicating speed racing and cheap motorcycle thrills.
In a cool casting move, Kid Rock turns up as Smoke competitor Dogg, the leader of The Strays. (Yes, there are a lot of Kids in this movie.)
Kid Rock said it wasn't that difficult to step into the boots of Dogg since he's been riding motorcycles almost all of his life. Fishburne also is a seasoned motorcycle rider as are other stars of the film Djimon Hounsou, Orlando Jones, Tyson Beckford and Salli Richardson-Whitfield.
Girls won't find too many role models in this film, however. Despite the presence of some female bikers (Lisa Bonet stars as Queenie, the president of her own all-women motorcycle club), most of the females in the movie are left to be trophies on the back of the boys' bikes. Jalil's strong-willed mother, played by Vanessa Bell Calloway, is the only female in the film who is more than just a paper doll.
But there are more pluses than minuses in this movie.
The authenticity of life inside the motorcycle club will give the filmgoer the feeling he has been inducted into a special club.
It is also good to see a film that gives mainstream America a view of black life that isn't painted as a bleak picture.
"Biker Boyz" doesn't go deep, but that's not its intention. It's best if you just sit back and enjoy the ride.
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