November 6, 2008

Bikers… free roamers of this great yet dysfunctional nation and the subject of various movies. Biker films were a hit back in the 60s and 70s with films like “The Savage Seven” and “Easy Rider”. Larry Bishop and Quentin Tarantino bring back the genre with the non-linear (a Tarantino staple) film Hell Ride. Hell Ride is the story of bad-ass Victors biker Pistolero, played by writer, co-producer and director Larry Bishop, who along with The Gent (Michael Madsen) and Comanche (Eric Balfour), hit the road to avenge the death of Pistolero's old lady Cherokee Kisum (Julia Jones) by a rival motorcycle gang called the Six Six Six's. Dennis Hopper stars as Eddie “Scratch” Zero, an old member of Pistolero’s gang to round out the gang.

The Six Six Six’s, a satanic biker gang with a crazed arrow wielding leader named Billy Wings, played by Vinnie Jones along with bike riding legend David Carradine as The Deuce, are responsible for the death of St. Louis, a member of the Victors, and want nothing more to take over Pistolero’s turf.

Hell Ride is a film filled with hot women, awesome bikes and enough action to satisfy anyone looking for a good ride. The story is solid and well written by Larry Bishop who has had some past experience in the genre. He was in the films “The Savage Seven” and “Angel Unchained” and gained cult popularity for playing scruffy bikers. It was Larry’s knowledge and experience and Quentin’s backing that eventually led to Larry leading this film.

While this film has various different stories going on at once, the main underlying story is a promise made by Pistolero to his departed lady and his undying wish to complete that promise. The thing about this film and Larry Bishop’s character in particular is that you never really know how it’s going to work out, or what kind of person you are dealing with. One minute Pistolero is calm and seems like a nice guy and the next he is a man that you wouldn’t want to piss off in a bar. This is what I really about this film above all else.

Besides the underlining story there is the ever more pressing matter involving the return of the Sixers. One by one Billy Wings is taking out the Victors, and later we find out is looking for the same stash that Pistolero is. But the treasure that Pistolero isn’t just the one that Billy wants, no it is so much more.

There is one thing that I will mention about this film that is misleading thanks to a quote on the DVD box. The gunfights in this film are not what I call awesome. Sure they are quick, sudden and subtle but not what I would call a gunfight as they are pretty much one sided most of the film. The one thing that I will agree with the quote is that there are badass characters in this film. I mean you have a stellar cast playing some of the most ruthless bikers in a movie. Michael Madsen, Eric Balfour, David Carradine, Dennis Hopper, and Larry Bishop are all amazing actors in my book and they alone make this film.

Filmmaking: 9
Hell Ride is a modern day homage to the biker films of the 60’s and it shows. Hell just having Hopper in this film is proof of that. I love Easy Rider just as much as I do this film. Larry Bishop and his crew shot this entire film in just 20 days, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. He sought out to make this film as authentic as he could with his limited time frame to shoot.

All of the bikes were carefully chosen to reflect its rider. Pistolero’s bike is an early 70’s Outlaw FLH bike, which is mean looking, and without any polish while The Gent’s bike is a flashy chopper with apehangers or really high handlebars for the less biker savvy crowd. Comanche on the other hand rides a 40’s Indian Bobber, which is a hard bike to learn how to ride on.

Bishop also uses a lot of beautiful girls in the film to emphasize the three B’s, Bikes Beer and BOOTY!! This film is load with hot and I mean HOT girls. It gives the film a bit of authenticity as to the lifestyle of bikers back then and Hell probably even today too. So guys watch the drooling, it’s dangerous for the relationship.

Visuals: 8
Visually, Hell Ride looks good in all its rugged glory. The film is presented in widescreen so sorry full screen lovers. There are several scenes that are a bit graphic so this film is not for the young ones. There is also a good deal of nudity, especially in Pistolero’s altered state of mind as his naked dead girl friend is talking to him.

There are several visual effects that this film uses to great effect and adds to the biker movie feel. There are moments when the film is in black and white, Technicolor (as in acid trip) and in full color. The usage of freeze shots where the name and affiliation of a character pops up on screen is also pretty cool as well.

Sound: 9
Hell Ride features music that is reminiscent of the time and area in which this film takes place. Each actor and actress does an amazing vocal performance and Madsen’s performance is probably my favorite in the entire film. Hell Ride is presented in English 5.1 Surround Sound and sounds amazing. The roar of the bikes and the gunshots are almost perfect. The only thing that would have made this movie better would be if it were on Blu-Ray with 7.1 Surround Sound.

Value: 9
Value wise, Hell Ride has a bunch to offer in its $13-14price tag. The Special Features on this disc include a Feature Commentary with Writer/Director/Producer Larry Bishop and Director of Photography Scott Kevan. Viewers also get a behind the scenes look at “The Making of Hell Ride”, “The Babes of Hell Ride”, “The Guys of Hell Ride” and “The Choppers of Hell Ride.” There is some pretty interesting info to be had in all these features. Michael Madsen also presents us with a Video Diary of the production of the film.

Overall: 8.5
Hell Ride is an awesome film that is homage to the B-movies of the past. With Quentin Tarantino backing the project, Larry Bishop delivers a biker movie for a new age. I find it rather impressive that one man not only wrote, directed and produced this film but starred in it too. That is a major undertaking and I think Bishop did it well. Hell Ride features a phenomenal cast and I plan on watching this film again and again. I recommend this film to anyone looking for a good biker film or for anyone looking for a good story. Sit back and take in the rebellion against all there is.

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