No matter how unappealing a movie might seem from its description, I always leave open the possibility that the story will be well plotted, well written or well acted.
"Biker Boyz," billed as an urban western on motorcycles, wasn't something that sounded promising to me - but the fact that it stars Academy Award-nominated Laurence Fishburne gave me hope. If someone of his talent and reliability chose to participate in this film, there must be some redeeming qualities in it. Or, failing that, it would be another opportunity to watch a good actor do good acting.
As it turns out, Fishburne's performance left me wondering whether he'd decided - too late - that he'd made a big mistake.
As Smoke, the undisputed "King of Cali," Fishburne lords over hundreds of bikers in the southern California subculture dedicated to dangerous city street and open-road races where riders reach speeds of more than 100 mph.
He gave a deadpan, glazed-over sort of delivery to most of his lines; except for a few in which he mustered the energy for a snarling menace that came off as almost comical.
Fishburne brings no redemption to this predictable tale loaded with lackluster writing and surprisingly uninvolving and unexciting motorcycle races.
But that's not to say this film has no high points.
The best part about this film - probably the only part I could say is actually good - is the presence of Derek Luke, who plays Kid, the reckless youngster out to steal Smoke's crown.
Luke, who also stars in Denzel Washington's "Antwone Fisher," seems to relish every moment of his screen time and projects a charisma no one else in the film can match. He easily overshadows Fishburne as well as Kid Rock, who plays Dogg - the second-highest ranked racer - who has a few interesting scenes; and Orlando Jones, fresh from his role as a staid band director in "Drumline" and obviously itching to cut loose.
Luke displays a talent for capturing the mood of his character - whether he's in a scene that calls for a cocky machismo, a goofy friendliness, or smoldering romanticism.
He also can portray a quiet but angry grief - early in the film, his father is killed in a horrific crash, one of only two times the film openly acknowledges that the activities in which the characters are engaging involve an absurd level of danger.
And the film briefly shows that the activities also are illegal - when the police bust up a race and Kid gets arrested. That's when we find out that Orlando Jones character also has a day job - as a lawyer.
The film is based on an article written three years ago for the now-defunct Los Angeles New Times by freelance journalist Michael Gougis.
Gougis was allowed unprecedented access to the underground subculture of southern California motorcycle clubs, which are predominantly African American, and his article was turned into a fictionalized account by screenwriter Craig Fernandez.
Although it gains points by at least fleetingly pointing out the dangers of participating in the clubs, the ending of the film only makes sense if you buy into the idea that being the King of these clubs is something to aspire to - something that makes one mature, grown-up, and finally a man.
| 'Biker Boyz' |
Director: Reggie Rock Bythewood
Stars: Laurence Fishburne, Derek Luke, Kid Rock
MPAA Rating: PG-13, for violence, sexual content and language
