Wild Hogs Blu-ray delivers truly amazing video and audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
A comedy-adventure about a group of middle-aged friends who decide to rev up their routine suburban lives with a freewheeling motorcycle trip. Taking a long, dreamed-of breather from their stressful jobs and family responsibilities, they can't wait to feel the freedom of the open road. However, when this mis-matched foursome, who have grown far more used to the couch than the saddle, set out for their once-in-a-lifetime experience, they encounter a world that holds far more than they ever bargained for. The trip begins to challenge their wits and their luck, especially during a chance run-in with the Del Fuegos, a real-life biker gang whose members are less than amused with the suburbanites' novice approach. As they go looking for adventure, they soon find that they've embarked on a journey they will never forget.
You can't even put on your left blinker without wiping out!
The first time I saw part of Wild Hogs was on a return flight home from my honeymoon.
I'd been
wanting to see it, but I was so worn out from the traveling that I slept through a good portion of
the movie. What I did see was fun and entertaining, and I was eager to pick this up on Blu-ray.
When I sat down to finally watch it from beginning to end, I was surprised. Wild Hogs is a
good movie, and I am sure it is even better for those who are in the same age group as our four
heroes who are each going through their own mid-life crisis. By the end of the picture, each man
will learn a little something about life on the road, the strength of their friendship, and the
importance of family.
Hog power!
Doug (Tim Allen, Santa
Clause 3) is a dentist who has to watch his diet. He's tired of the
day-by-day routine of
working, doing what his family wants him to do, and being stuck in a rut. He hasn't left
Cincinnati in 12 years and suffers from a stress-induced panic attack when he decides to go
against his family's wishes and devours all the junk food he has been craving lately. Bobby
(Martin Lawrence, Open
Season) has taken a year off from work to write a "how-to" book.
His family is driving
him up the wall too, nagging him for not working a job that brings in a paycheck every week. His
wife has called to get his old job back with "The Firm," which turns out to be a plumbing outfit.
Dudley (William H. Macy, Fargo) is a computer nerd who hangs out at coffee shops and
speaks to his
computer. He has no luck with women and embarrasses himself at every turn. Woody (John
Travolta, Broken
Arrow) is broke. He is divorcing a supermodel to boot. He's gone from the
penthouse to the
dog house, from having money to burn to negotiating a bottom barrel price with a neighborhood
boy over raking the leaves in his back yard. Each man finds respite in the form of motorcycles.
Together they form their own little biker group they have named "The Wild Hogs." One day at
lunch
after a ride, Woody recommends the quartet leave their troubles behind and embark on a
cross-country road trip. Doug's wife encourages him to go on the trip but Bobby has to lie to his,
making her believe he is attending a plumber's convention. The foursome head out on the open
road and proceed to meet "The
Del Fuegos," a group of mean and nasty bikers led by Jack (Ray Liotta, Field of Dreams).
He swindles Dudley's bike away from him and calls the Hogs out as posers. When Woody takes it
upon himself to get Dudley's bike back, he accidentally blows up the Del Fuego's bar and the
quartet finds themselves being pursued by the gang, seeking revenge on them.
Wild Hogs is simply a good movie. One of the best aspects of the film is the chemistry
between the four protagonists. They each bring something unique to the table, and they are all
believable as a group of friends who have ridden together for years. Wild Hogs is
seemingly a re-imaging of Deliverance meets Easy Rider. It's an escapist
film
where four friends leave the city to enjoy the company of one another whilst discovering the
untouched world around them from a unique perspective. They find themselves in trouble and
must defend their honor as well as others from a band of nasty, no good folks who hate them for
being who they are and for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Of course, the Hogs will
prevail, saving the day, learning a thing or two about honor, respect, and the importance of
friendship, and earning some new friends along the way. They may even show the Del Fuego's a
thing or two about who the real posers are. Wild Hogs is certainly not a movie
for young children, but it's a good comedy for the more mature members of the family.
Middle aged men will find a lot to like about this movie.
Disney presents Wild Hogs in 1080p with a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. This is a perfect Blu-ray
presentation. Colors pop off the screen, flesh tones look fabulous, black levels are perfect, detail is
high, the image is sharp and clear, and noise is nonexistent. This is one of the very best transfers I
have ever seen, period. It
rivals the best of the best Blu-ray has to offer. There's really not much else to say. It's a
jaw-dropper to be sure, and if you need a less intimidating, somewhat family-friendly movie to show
off
your
home theater, this is the one. Wild Hogs is a marvel visually.
Take the level of praise from the video review and apply it here. This soundtrack is amazing. This is
one loud, exciting, and aggressive mix. Presented with both a 5.1 Uncompressed and a Dolby
Digital 5.1 track, Wild Hogs is a title that showcases what high definition audio is all about.
The sound of motorcycles fills the room, and you'll swear you are riding alongside Doug, Bobby,
Dudley, and Woody. The classic rock soundtrack truly rocks, many of the classics songs sounding
better than I've ever heard them before. Dialogue is clear, unobstructed, and natural. Surrounds
are active throughout and discrete. Wild Hogs is a gem sonically on Blu-ray.
The main attraction here is a commentary track with director Walt Becker and writer Brad
Copeland. We get some dead air right off the bat after they introduce themselves. Both seem a
little timid and unsure of exactly what to do. Becker reveals that every major cast member was
his original choice, and the reaction to having the four stars together in one film. The track falls
into a few ruts, simply giving basic background on what's going on on-screen and it's rather dull
and lifeless at times. The two eventually get more comfortable, however, and offer up some good
tidbits here and there. This is a run-of-the-mill commentary track that fans of the movie and of
motorcycles will like, but it's not worth your time otherwise.
Movie Showcase offers viewers the opportunity to watch several scenes that show off the
best scenes from an audio and video standpoint. Bikes, Brawls, & Burning Bars: The Making
of 'Wild Hogs' (1080p, 16:19) is a fun but basic behind-the-scenes feature. Director Walt
Becker
discusses his fondness for bikes, movies, and his approach to the making of the film. How To
Get Your Wife To Let You Buy A Motorcycle (1080p, 2:49) is a fun little piece that tells you
how to get around the "dangerous" excuse your wife may give you, the safety aspect of wearing
leather, and the opportunity you will have to truly take in beautiful scenery you just can't get
riding in an enclosed car. An alternate ending and two deleted scenes (1080p, 4:11 total) are
available with optional director commentary. A set of outtakes (1080p, 2:34) rounds out the
supplements.
Wild Hogs is one of the more unique comedies to come out in recent memory. Four
memorable characters on a memorable journey through their mid-life crises results in a memorable
film that you will likely want to revisit several times, and this Blu-ray disc is the perfect way to
watch it. Boasting one of the best transfers yet on the medium, not to mention a top-notch
soundtrack and solid group of supplements, Wild Hogs perfectly represents what Blu-ray is
all about. Highly recommended.
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