In tradition to the motorcycle flicks made popular in the late '60s and early '70s, Hell Ride basically plays out like a broken record, repeating gratuitous nudity, vindictive violence, and ceaseless drug use regardless of whether or not it makes any sense at all. It can be amusing (at times I did have fun with it) if you can subdue the fact that the nonsensical storyline (somewhat cleared up in the special features) is just a condonable way for Larry Bishop to exploit himself in a role that provides tons of female persuasion for him to vex and seduce.
Introduced in the opening scene are three center-stage characters titled Pistolero (Larry Bishop), The Gent (Michael Madson), and Comanche (Eric Balfour), who are the leading members of the biker gang known as The Victors. After the murder of one of their well-respected members, The Victors are determined to find the gang responsible. Fingers are pointed at The Victors' rival gang known as The 666ers and they are willing do whatever it takes to make them literally spill their guts. Hell Ride also features cameo appearances by David Carradine and Dennis Hopper
It isn't exactly the pompous acting that spoils the film's reputation (keep in mind these characters are suppose to be self-centered badasses), but mainly the inefficient scripting and dreadful dialog. The search for a missing safety deposit box and the battle between two ruthless biker gangs seemed to be the two main roots of the story and are scattered poorly throughout the film. Subplots include a lost love, betrayal, and rebellion.
I like the sex, drugs, and violence theme that Larry Bishop has surrounding the storyline, which is occasionally depicted with some charisma. What I didn't like was the fact that this obviously distracted him from his central storyline, which is the whole thing behind the missing safety deposit box. This portion of the story seemed to be lost in the mix until nearing the final act, where Bishop suddenly realizes he must somehow squeeze this very important plot into the ending.
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Article comments
1 - El Bicho
"If Tarantino had revised the script, making the appropriate adjustments in dialog, storyline, and editing"
That train left the station last century. Q hasn't been capable of that since Pulp Fiction.
2 - Jordan Richardson
I am so down for this one.
3 - Uncle MythMan
Wait a minute! Hell Ride ISN'T a rich moral tale for the whole family to enjoy? Phew! Good thing I subscribed to email updates of this blog!