undefined

HELL RIDE is a raucous throwback to the days of the Sergio Leone spaghetti western, with a heaping helping of testosterone-fueled chopper action thrown into the mix. Writer/director Larry Bishop takes on a third role as Pistolero, head honcho of the Victors, a group of badass bikers who are out to avenge the murder of one of their members at the hands of the 666ers, a rival gang whose actions live up to their hellish moniker. Along with his cohorts, the Gent (deviously portrayed by Michael Madsen) and the mysterious Comanche (Eric Balfour), Pistolero s to take down the Deuce and Billy Wings, menacing leaders of the 666ers, but a mutiny looms on the horizon when his commitment to profit is questioned by a few of his fellow Victors. An even larger story unravels when previously unknown information about Comanche resurrects ghosts from Pistolero's past. Although there is enough sex, violence, and all-out machismo to keep grind-house fans firmly plastered to their seats, Bishop's take on the genre strays far from exploitation as he weaves a twisting, multilayered tale of revenge, loyalty, and brotherhood that is brought to life by a superb ensemble cast, with memorable performances by Dennis Hopper, Vinnie Jones, and David Carradine. In the words of Comanche, "The road to hell is paved with anything but good intentions.]]0]]Larry Bishop]]]Larry Bishop]Dennis Hopper]Michael Madsen]Vinnie Jones]Eric Balfour]Kanin J. Howell]Michael Beach]Leonor Varela]Laura Cayouette] .com ---- 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 sunbaked 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. Bishop is front and center for the DVD commentary, in which he explains in the most passionate of terms how he conceived and executed the project with Tarantino's help; featurettes on the cast (split between male and female) are brief and flashy, with "The Guys of Hell Ride" providing the most juice by focusing on the veteran actors. There's also a look at the film's custom made bikes, but the most "special" of the Special Features is Michael Madsen's video diary, which gives amusing in into his distinctly offbeat perspective. -- Paul Gaita Stills from Hell Ride (Click for larger image) ( https://images-na.ssl-images-.com/images/G/01/dvd/genius/hellride/HR1_L.jpg ) ( https://images-na.ssl-images-.com/images/G/01/dvd/genius/hellride/HR2_L.jpg ) ( https://images-na.ssl-images-.com/images/G/01/dvd/genius/hellride/HR5_L.jpg ) ( https://images-na.ssl-images-.com/images/G/01/dvd/genius/hellride/HR4_L.jpg ) ( https://images-na.ssl-images-.com/images/G/01/dvd/genius/hellride/HR3_L.jpg ) ( https://images-na.ssl-images-.com/images/G/01/dvd/genius/hellride/HR6_L.jpg )