Plot: What’s it about?
Cary Ford (Martin Henderson) has just returned from a trek to Thailand, which he used to clear his mind and gain new direction. Well, he also went on the run because of some contraband, which he found in two motorcycles. Henry James (Matt Schulze), leader of the biker gang the Hellions, asked Ford to watch over the bikes. He agreed, but word spread about the drugs inside and soon, the police were on the trail. So Ford stashed the bikes in a safe place, then stashed himself over in Thailand, to let the situation cool down. Now a year has passed, so Ford ventures back home and wants to clear his name and settle the situation. When he gets back, he finds himself wanted by more than one person. James wants his drugs back and Ford’s girlfriend Shane (Monet Mazur) wants to know why she was left behind, but that is just the start. Ford ventures to a massive biker rally in the desert, where he encounters Trey (Ice Cube) leader of the Reapers. In an effort to get even with Ford, James kills Trey’s brother, then frames Ford for his death. This enrages Trey, who promises to take Ford’s life to avenge his brother’s murder. Not just Trey wants the crime solved either, as the police are looking for Ford, as are the FBI. Can Ford somehow keep himself alive long enough to clear his name, or should he have stayed in Thailand?
After two films in The Fast and the Furious series, then the cycle driven flick Biker Boyz, you’d think the demand for such pictures had dropped off. But the producers of Torque didn’t think so, which means we have another fast paced, adrenaline soaked experience. The response to the film, both from critics and audiences was mediocre at best, with box office returns that were just over half of the film’s budget. But how does Torque stack up against its brethren? I have to admit, I had more fun with Torque than Biker Boyz and The Fast and Furious combined, as the filmmakers took the action to another level. In fact, Torque has perhaps the lowest level of realism in the stunts I’ve ever seen, with no real concern for realism at all. You’ll see stunts that could never be done, even by top notch professionals, but are pulled off here with ease. I know most action films are guilty of such crimes, but in Torque, the realism scale is tossed out the window. But in the end, you have to laugh at the outlandish stunts and in the process, you start to enjoy the sheer spectacle of Torque’s over the top antics. You can tell the filmmakers knew this wasn’t serious art, as some homages and humorous jibes to other genre films are sprinkled throughout. If you’re in the mood for brainless, over the top action, then Torque is worth a rental.
Video: How does it look?
Torque is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is a new release from Warner, so you know it looks terrific. The print is in excellent condition, as you’d expect, with no grain and only a few nicks to mention. This is a very visual motion picture, so colors race across the screen, metal hues reflect intense light, and black levels provide ample depth. This is all good news, as a poor visual treatment would have doomed Torque. But Warner has ensured that wouldn’t happen, as all the elements are in proper order here. The colors are bold and vivid, with no signs of errors, while contrast remains smooth and consistent also. Be careful if you purchase Torque however, as a pan & scan edition is also on store shelves.
Audio: How does it sound?
Not to be outdone, the audio is also quite remarkable, thanks to an excellent Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. This track is loaded with explosive presence, so the surrounds have to work hard throughout the presentation. The usual elements, such as engines, squealing tires, and such are here and sound great, but this soundtrack doesn’t stop there. No, we’re taken right into the middle of it all, as the atmosphere is top notch. You’ll hear urban sounds from all directions, as if you were there too and of course, that enhances the experience. A ton of creative audio use can be found in this track, so not only do the elements sound good, they are presented in fresh, natural fashion. No dialogue is lost in the mix either, so all the vocals remain clean and clear. This disc also includes a French language track, as well as subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Joseph Kahn, who served as director on the film, sits down in two commentary sessions, one with several cast members, the other with folks from the production staff. The cast track is quite good, with a lot of humor and behind the scenes stories. The production track is more technical, but offers a lot of worthwhile information. I’d recommend the cast session however, if you’re only going to listen to one of the two. This disc also includes some storyboard comparisons, a music video, and the film’s theatrical trailer.
