By Andrea Banda
A&E Editor
Biker Boyz” starring Academy Award Winner Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do With It”) and Derek Luke (“Antwone Fisher”) is an action movie that brings the unfamiliar subculture of motorcycle clubs to the big screen.
The movie is director and co-writer Reggie Rock Bythewood’s attempt at a modern-day Western, and also his first major studio feature. The idea for the movie sparked three years ago when Los Angeles Times writer Michael Gougis wrote an article about the African-American motorcycle clubs of Southern California.
Although the attempt at a modern representation of a Western is somewhat hard to catch (unless maybe you grew up watching Westerns), the movie is definitely more than the average action flick. It is somewhat comparable to “Fast and the Furious,” but with a much better storyline.
The film captures the realities of street bike clubs with a very emotional spin. The bike riding is not the only highlight of the film, but a sense of community and brotherhood are evident throughout. It shows the clubs are serious about racing, but also have concern for their communities by hosting fundraisers for children and other charity events.
The most impressive part of the film is the racing and the dangerous tricks the riders enjoy undertaking. There were few stuntmen in the film as over 200 extras and real motorcycle riders stepped in to make the film as real as possible.
While the film shows the flash and excitement of motorcycle riding, it also accurately presents the responsibility required to race, as well as the dangers of the sport.
The movie follows Kid (Luke) through his struggle to find his identity in a culture where riders have to prove themselves to gain acceptance into the clubs. After overcoming a terrible tragedy, Luke and his friends Stuntman (Brendan Fehr) and Primo (Rick Gonzalez) form their own multicultural bike club that breaks into the predominantly African-American scene. The only other white rider besides Stuntman is Dogg (Kid Rock), the president of the Strays, another bike club.
Smoke (Fishburne), president of the Black Knights, is the fastest rider in all of the clubs, and is universally known as “The King of Cali.”
While the clubs are rivals on the pavement, they are all part of an extended family, connected by their love of bikes and the code of conduct required to ride.
The movie takes a surprising and even more emotional twist that becomes a crucial part to Kid’s quest for identity and acceptance. Kid decides to take on “The King of Cali” as part of his desire to gain respect from other club members, as well as Smoke.
The movie discredits many of the stereotypes that people associate with motorcycle riding. Soul Train (Orlando Jones) represents the truth about the lives of many members of actual biker clubs. He has a daytime job as a lawyer, but after hours he joins the club and rides.
The movie gives audiences a new perspective on a culture most people do not know exists, as well as sparks the adventure and ignites the emotion inside us all.
January 30, 2003