I admit I did NOT want to see this film...I wasn't too impressed by the trailer and all the reviews I read were negative, but a friend wanted to see it and I reasoned that a cast this good could potentially save the film (but trailers don't tend to accurately represent films...). I did not expect this film to impact or impress me, but I was surprised by how much I laughed...
The film opens with a brief introduction to four middle-aged friends (even though they deny being middle-aged). Once a week they go for a ride on their motorcycles and have drinks at a local bar. They call themselves the Wild Hogs, and wear the insignia on the back of their jackets. Doug (Allen) dreamed of being a dentist and making a difference in the world, but settled for being a dentist. He used to be a wild man, but now he can't even impress his son (Dominic Janes). Bobby (Lawrence) is ruled by the women in his life: his wife, mother-in-law, and 2 daughters, who don't take him seriously. He wants to write a self-help book, but is forced to return to "The Firm" to get some more money for the family. Dudley (Macy) is a computer programmer who is afraid to talk to women. And finally there is Woody (Travolta), his life is falling apart: his wife (the model) left, he is bankrupt, and the kid he hires to rake the leaves wants more money. Frustrated with life and the way they all turned out Woody suggests they take a road trip: ride from Cincinnati to California and leave behind their lives for a bit. Along the way they manage to blow-up a biker bar (home to the Del Fuegos) and the head of the gang, Jack (Liotta), vows revenge. The Wild Hogs find refuge in a small town where Dudley falls in love with Maggie (Tomei) who owns the town diner, and the rest of the group bond with the local sherif Charley (Stephen Tobolowsky...the quote is his) and his deputies Earl & Buck Dooble (Jason & Randy Sklar) while slapping the bull (yes, literally).
Overall this film is just an excuse to make the leads look foolish. Macy runs into things and Travolta has several panic-attacks. Some scenes were completely unnecessary: the ENTIRE subplot featuring the Highway Patrol officer (John C. McGinley), and some of the Del Fuegos comments (actually pretty much anything said by Red...the big dumb one Jack hits). Some parts were funny...but it wasn't enough to save this film, nor were the charismatic leads (who had decent chemistry).
Don't waste your money!: it isn't worth the price of admission at theaters (I had to spend $7 to see it, and it wasn't worth it)
Rent it: other people I know liked the film...maybe I expect too much from films...if you like motorcycles you'll probably like this film (and you'll appreciate the cameos). Don't expect too much from the film, forgive John C. McGinley, and just laugh and you'll enjoy it (otherwise just wait till it plays on cable)
The film opens with a brief introduction to four middle-aged friends (even though they deny being middle-aged). Once a week they go for a ride on their motorcycles and have drinks at a local bar. They call themselves the Wild Hogs, and wear the insignia on the back of their jackets. Doug (Allen) dreamed of being a dentist and making a difference in the world, but settled for being a dentist. He used to be a wild man, but now he can't even impress his son (Dominic Janes). Bobby (Lawrence) is ruled by the women in his life: his wife, mother-in-law, and 2 daughters, who don't take him seriously. He wants to write a self-help book, but is forced to return to "The Firm" to get some more money for the family. Dudley (Macy) is a computer programmer who is afraid to talk to women. And finally there is Woody (Travolta), his life is falling apart: his wife (the model) left, he is bankrupt, and the kid he hires to rake the leaves wants more money. Frustrated with life and the way they all turned out Woody suggests they take a road trip: ride from Cincinnati to California and leave behind their lives for a bit. Along the way they manage to blow-up a biker bar (home to the Del Fuegos) and the head of the gang, Jack (Liotta), vows revenge. The Wild Hogs find refuge in a small town where Dudley falls in love with Maggie (Tomei) who owns the town diner, and the rest of the group bond with the local sherif Charley (Stephen Tobolowsky...the quote is his) and his deputies Earl & Buck Dooble (Jason & Randy Sklar) while slapping the bull (yes, literally).
Overall this film is just an excuse to make the leads look foolish. Macy runs into things and Travolta has several panic-attacks. Some scenes were completely unnecessary: the ENTIRE subplot featuring the Highway Patrol officer (John C. McGinley), and some of the Del Fuegos comments (actually pretty much anything said by Red...the big dumb one Jack hits). Some parts were funny...but it wasn't enough to save this film, nor were the charismatic leads (who had decent chemistry).
Don't waste your money!: it isn't worth the price of admission at theaters (I had to spend $7 to see it, and it wasn't worth it)
Rent it: other people I know liked the film...maybe I expect too much from films...if you like motorcycles you'll probably like this film (and you'll appreciate the cameos). Don't expect too much from the film, forgive John C. McGinley, and just laugh and you'll enjoy it (otherwise just wait till it plays on cable)
Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual content, and some violence
Director: Walt Becker
Starring: Tim Allen as Doug
John Travolta as Woody
Martin Lawrence as Bobby
William H. Macy as Dudley
Ray Liotta as Jack
Marisa Tomei as Maggie