DVD REVIEW

Hell Ride

Weinstein Company || R || October 28, 2008

Synopsis

Michael Madsen, Eric Balfour and legendary “Easy Rider” Dennis Hopper are part of a wild motorcycle gang bent on avenging the death of one of their own.  With Vinnie Jones as the crazed arrow-wielding rival gang leader, Hell Ride is a savagely enjoyable good time.


Critique

Modern audiences probably know Larry Bishop best from his role in Kill Bill.  He played Michael Madsen’s boss, the abusive strip club manager – “There used to be your name!” – who takes every opportunity to humiliate him.  Prior to that though, Bishop was in some badass biker flicks like The Savage Seven and Chrome and Hot Leather, not to mention The Devil’s 8 and, a personal favorite, Wild in the Streets.  Hell Ride feels like the biker film Bishop has wanted to make for a long time, as long as he’s been making them.  This is the 60’s drive-in biker film taken to its most extreme, and every frame is pure entertainment.

Despite what you may have read, there is much to like about Hell Ride, not the least of which is its dreamy, non-linear style that was so common back in the AIP days but seems to have gone the way of Beatle boots and Christopher Jones.  There are flashbacks that tell us everything visually, which is great, but it makes you wonder if people even know how to watch films like this anymore; films are so literal now.  But the style tells the story as much as anything else.

Bishop’s character, Pistolero, is drawn more deeply than might first appear.  He has a history and a purpose that goes beyond the day-to-day biker duties, which he seems to have little involvement with anyway.  The gang functions mostly without him; Pistolero is into his own action.

Each member of the gang has his own personality, but Pistolero’s personality is conveyed through his women, each of who personifies a different, distinct side to the man.  Like so many of those old biker movies (those old road movies in general), much of the story is between lines, as much in what is not said as in what is said.

Hell Ride is an interesting film from a guy who seems to have wanted to make this for a long time.  As much fun as it is to watch Bishop on screen, hopefully we’ll see more of him behind the camera too.


Video

Hell Ride is presented in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio.  The film’s interesting visual style is sharply presented.  The blacks and whites are solid, and the color palate is expertly translated.


Audio

This DVD is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1, and the presentation is excellent.  The roar of gunfire, the roar of engines, the moaning of women in heat: it’s all here in 5.1 glory.  The channels are humming on all cylinders.


Special Features

Feature Commentary with Writer/Director/Producer Larry Bishop and Director of Photography Scott Kevan: the two talk about casting and shooting the film, working quickly on a low budget, the Tarantino influence and more.  This is an engaging chat.

The Making of Hell Ride: from Quentin Tarantino and the genesis of the idea, Larry Bishop talks in depth about the thinking behind the characters and the story.

The Babes of Hell Ride: guess what this about.  There are many, many hot women in this movie, and this, umm, piece is a tribute to them.

The Guys of Hell Ride: “None of ‘em are pussies,” says David Carradine.  This one isn’t as, uh, compelling as the Babes piece, but it’s still worth a look.

The Choppers of Hell Ride: a look at the bikes as characters.  Each has its own personality to suit its rider.  The film’s motorcycle consultant talks about what went into each bike.

Michael Madsen’s Video Diary: some great on-set footage, unscripted.  There is some great material here.

Red Band Trailer: for restricted audiences only, with that old school trailer voice over.


Final Thoughts

Hell Ride is a helluva lot of fun.  Bishop and Madsen are great, as is the rest of the cast.  This is an olds school story with an old school style, and it’s pulled off brilliantly.  The audio-visual presentation is solid, and the bonus material is great.

VERDICT: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

 

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Review posted on Jan 5, 2009 | Share this article | Top of Page

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