Hell Ride [DVD] [2008]

Quentin Tarantino’s Hell Ride delivers on its promise to be a “blood and sex-soaked tale of motorcycle revenge and retribution”. A modern day take on the iconic 1960’s biker movies sees DTV veterns Michael Madson, Larry Bishop, David Carradine and the one and only Dennis “Easy Rider” Hoper embroiled in a war with rival gang member Vinnie Jones (complete with an outstanding American accent) over the the death of a fellow gang member.
Actor Larry Bishop, who made his name in the ’60s as the star of biker pictures like The Savage Seven revives the genre with Hell Ride, a rough and raunchy action-drama produced by indie director and cult film aficionado Quentin Tarantino. Bishop, who wrote, produced and directed the film, is also top-billed as Pistolero, chief of the outlaw Victors, who cruise the sun-baked Southwest to avenge a fallen mama. Their target is Billy Wings (Vinnie Jones), head man for the Six-Six-Sixes, and Michael Madsen, David Carradine and Dennis Hopper (himself no stranger to biker flicks) are along to make sure that the job is completed. As pure exploitation, Hell Ride delivers the goods: the cast overacts with relish, and the on-screen excitement is divided equally between chopper action, fistfights and shootouts and plentiful female nudity, all set to a soundtrack of new and vintage fuzztone rock. However, those expecting the complexity and sheer cheek of Tarantino’s own features may find the picture a little too retro-minded for their own tastes, and Bishop’s pulpy dialogue is more overcooked than Tarantino at his most self-indulgent. Still, those craving old-school cycle movie satisfaction are likely to find that action with Hell Ride. — Paul Gaita