Whoever came up with the concept of this story was very clever indeed, as the finished product doesn't matter that much when the film has four middle aged giants of the big screen playing bikers. It has to be worth the price of a ticket, irrespective of the content.
Friends Doug (Tim Allen), Woody (John Travolta), Bobby (Martin Lawrence), and Dudley (William H. Macy) are a group of suburban domesticated Hell's Angels. In fact that was the film's original title, until the Hell's Angels club threatened to sue Disney when they read the script, for insulting their bad-ass' image. Needless to say the foursome all have issues. Once he was so daring they called him "The Golden Knight", now disillusioned with dentistry Doug has lost the respect of his son.
Woody was an investor who had it all, with a super model wife, and is now a bankrupt. Hen-pecked Bobby feels directionless as his year off from plumbing to writing a self-help book is now up. Whereas nerdy computer programmer Dudley just laments his lack of success with women. So when Woody suggests that they all go on a jolly road trip with their treasured motorbikes for a week, they don't need much persuasion. After a certain amount of squabbling they even dispense with their mobile phones.
Over the next week they encounter all sorts of problems, from a major set back which started with a burnt marsh mellow, to trying to convince anyone who will listen that they aren't gay. But nothing had prepared them for a nasty confrontation with a group of real bikers called the Del Fuegos lead by Jack (Ray Liotta). It was only then that they had to decide whether they were mice or men.
The stars are not only funny they really look hilarious with each of them bringing endearing idiosyncrasies to their parts. On the whole the script is quite good: though it has some rather crass moments the story never lags. However if you aren't into slapstick this ain't for you. Director Walt Becker was really taken with the story because his own Baptist minister father went on a similar trip and apparently now has a pierced ear and a skull bandana.
There really is something rather liberating here with the old stagers all obviously having a great time. We even see that despite Travolta's gained bulk since his Grease (1978) days, he certainly hasn't lost the ability to move like a dream. However I do question if it will have the same appeal to the 12 to 25 generation, as this amusing tale of middle-aged male bonding is all about heartthrobs of the past. That said there can't be anyone who hasn't seen Easy Rider (1969) and even Peter Fonda makes an appearance putting his own cool stamp on this production. 7/10
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