Biker Boyz (2003)

A son of the leader of a legendary group of an urban biker gang tries to retain his championship title.

Director:

Reggie Rock Bythewood

Writers:

Michael Gougis (article), Craig Fernandez

Stars:

Laurence Fishburne, Derek Luke, Orlando Jones

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Laurence Fishburne	...	Smoke
Derek Luke	...	Kid
Orlando Jones	...	Soul Train
Djimon Hounsou	...	Motherland
Lisa Bonet	...	Queenie
Brendan Fehr	...	Stuntman
Larenz Tate	...	Wood
Kid Rock	...	Dogg
Rick Gonzalez	...	Primo
Meagan Good	...	Tina
Salli Richardson-Whitfield	...	Half & Half
Vanessa Bell Calloway	...	Anita
Dante Basco	...	Philly
Dion Basco	...	Flip
Tyson Beckford	...	Donny

Storyline

A mythic motorcycle tale of father and son", this is the story of Manuel Galloway, also known as "the King of Cali", the president of a motorcycle club whose members are all African-American men, mostly white-collar workers who exchange their suits and ties at night and on weekends for leather outfits and motorcycle helmets. The focus of this story takes place at an annual drag-racing event in Fresno, as Manuel tries to retain his championship title.

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Plot Keywords:

motorcycle | african american | helmet | biker gang | rural setting | 

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Taglines:

Survival of the fastest.

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Genres:

Action | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Baikeriai

Filming Locations:

Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,106,992, 2 February 2003, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$21,701,045, 23 March 2003

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks, 3 Arts Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Though they have no scenes together, Eriq La Salle's character, Slick Will, and Vanessa Bell Callaway's character, Anita, are married in "Biker Boyz". Back in 1988, they both had roles in "Coming To America" which shows some irony. Eriq was Shari Headley's boyfriend, Darryl. Vanessa was chosen to be Eddie Murphy's bride, Imani Izzi. In the end of course Eddie and Shari's characters married, jilting Eriq and Vanessa who end up married to each other in Biker Boyz.

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Goofs

At the end of the final race between Smoke and Kid, the motorcycles are presumably going very fast. Given that the finish line as an overhanging sign at a T-intersection, there is no way the bikes would be able to slow down fast enough to avoid collision with the fence once crossing the line, especially on a dirt road with street tires.

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Quotes

[after finding out that her son has been racing]
Anita: Do you know what we call bikers in the ER? Organ donors!

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Crazy Credits

Ending credits roll with pictures of motorcycle clubs that were on the set. Credits end with the quote "Burn rubber not your soul."

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Connections

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

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Soundtracks

Renegade
Written by JR Ewng & Anthony Haskins
Performed by JR Ewng

User Reviews

not good, not terrible

The days of Harley-Davidsons mastering the road are over. Nowadays color and plastic coat the fastest and most coveted motorcycles in the land, and `Biker Boyz' heralds the passing with unrestrained glee.

Set among African-American biker clubs in Southern California, the film follows Kid (Derek Luke), a prodigious young motorcycle racer, in his quest for the title of `King of Cali,' currently held by Smoke (Lawrence Fishburne), leader of the Black Knights bike club. Smoke hesitates in accepting Kid's challenges, citing that Kid is not a member of a legitimate club. In one scene, Kid addresses Smoke's assistant with anger and frustration: `Are you racing? Or are you just blowin' smoke?' Kid begins his own club (the aptly named `Biker Boyz') and sets out for the crown of fastest biker. The rest of the film follows a sort of formula we have seen before, with the underdog taking on the inhumanly skilled antagonist at the end. Though the plot is weak, the talent both onscreen and off push the film into something the script alone could not hold. The actors, for the most part, excel in their respective roles. Fishburne turns what may have been a trivial role into one exuding sincerity and masculinity, holding to an effectively pensive and reserved demeanor. His presence on the screen legitimizes the film as not just another `Days of Thunder.' Fishburne's charisma must have extended to the rest of the cast, as even Kid Rock, who made his film debut in 2001's deplorable `Joe Dirt,' portrays his character with gusto and road-wise scruffiness. Director Reggie Rock Bythewood makes his presence felt in the film. Bythewood made a splash at Sundance a few years ago with his debut `Dancing in September.' With `Biker Boyz,' he manages to pull off something slightly extraordinary: he makes motorcycle racing entertaining. The camera freewheels around smoking tires, colorful racing suits and bouncing nightclubs with dizzying ease. His film is loosely based on a feature from the Los Angeles New Times on the biking subculture in California, and Bythewood tries to bring a sense of biker culture to the screen. The nonfiction foundation of the film shines through, displaying a bizarre sense of camaraderie between cyclists similar to that of a fraternal order.

Despite its basically inane premise, the movie is not all bad. The poor title and plot outline summons memories of `Rollerball' and the like, but do not be deceived. `Biker Boyz' inspires some sense of genuine excitement and intrigue. As entertainment, it works on the same level as last year's `Spider-Man.' It cannot be praised as a piece of art, but the craftsmanship of the film is undeniable, which grants it a begrudged recommendation.