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Wild Hogs By John P. McCarthy Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- Grown men behaving foolishly in an attempt to feel young again is all that drives the sputtering midlife-crisis comedy "Wild Hogs" (Touchstone). Perhaps that's why the humor seems to be aimed at 13-year-old boys. Even if they don't appreciate the message about holding onto one's youthful dreams, it's no doubt hoped they'll go for the lowdown jokes and slapstick violence. In any case, there's a woeful disconnect between the movie's theme and content. The suburban Cincinnati biker pals -- Doug (Tim Allen), Woody (John Travolta), Bobby (Martin Lawrence) and Dudley (William H. Macy) -- are embodied by baby-boomer actors lost somewhere between raunchy comedy and resonant, issue-oriented humor (think "The First Wives Club"). If the filmmakers were thinking the material might evoke the free-spirited, counterculture vibe of, say "Easy Rider," they've missed the mark. Dentist Doug wants to break out of his dull professional routine and impress his son. Bankrupt businessman Woody has been jilted by his swimsuit-model wife. Henpecked plumber Bobby desperately needs to assert his independence. Computer nerd Dudley seeks gumption, especially with regard to women. So they smash their cell phones and point their Harleys west. In New Mexico, they cross a chopper gang called the Del Fuegos, led by mean Jack (Ray Liotta), and must defend a town terrorized by the allegedly authentic bikers. Director Walt Becker was at the wheel of "National Lampoon's Van Wilder" and is well-schooled at staging painful pratfalls and organizing suggestive gags and banter. Lightly humiliating mishaps and squabbling are occasionally broken up by pretty scenery. Macy's blissfully clueless naif is the most appealing character and the only one who really grows thanks to his romance with diner owner Maggie (Marisa Tomei). Dudley resembles a goofy teen and serves as a bridge between the movie's setup, which will strike the nerves of fathers, and its lowest-common-denominator execution. These adult males are grappling with the same issues as rebellious teenage boys. "Wild Hogs" is a four-headed case of arrested development, exhausting to witness at any age. The film contains pervasive crude language, much sexual innuendo, rear male nudity, fleeting images and sounds from Internet pornography sites, bathroom humor, a drug reference and some violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. - - - McCarthy is a guest reviewer for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office for Film & Broadcasting. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies. END Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
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