Hellride (2008)

Written and Directed by Larry Bishop

Trashy biker flicks from the 1960's had few ethos that they eschewed upon their likeminded audiences: Pussy, beer, violence, and motorcycles. So when biker movie veteran Larry Bishop set out to make his own biker film, he kept those ethos close to his heart, and wrapped a neat mystery story around the characters of Pistolero (Bishop), The Gent (Michael Madsen), and Comanche (Eric Balfour) members of The Victors. The elements previously mentioned are sprinkled heavily over the mystery of a missing fortune, and their war with The Six Six Sixers, led by Billy Wings (Vinnie Jones) and The Deuce (David Carradine).

That's really all there is to explain about the plot in a review, and that description will either entice you towards the film, or repulse you immediately. So far, audiences have been split on their feelings over the film. Some have absolutely hated it, which makes a fan of the film wonder; Why would anyone watch this film, knowing what they are getting into, if this is not what they are looking for? If it's a Tarantino style epic based on his name alone, then the people that have hated it deserve the disappointment. If it's a biker flick that stays true to the nature of 60's biker flicks, then they are most likely going to enjoy the multiple scenes of excessive violence, crude humor, and gratuitous nudity.

The film unfolds in such a way that stays true to biker values that it represents. It is brash, simple, and unapologetic, like its main characters. The filmmaking also supports these elements, with trippy camera effects, brash acting, and dialogue that speaks true to the nature of the characters. Anyone expecting differently has no business watching a biker film in the first place, let alone criticizing it for being true to its nature. This is the type of film that wears its style on its sleeve, and anyone looking for anything different is obviously looking in the wrong place. For everyone else, it's an entertaining genre piece filled with interesting ideas transported to a modern setting. Beyond that, there is little else to say, you get what you pay for.

7.4/10