Plot: What’s it about?
Mike (Casper Van Dien) and his friend Alex (Patrick Muldoon) are about to venture out on a motorcycle trek, but first they have to take care of some business. On the way out of town, the two witness an older man being accosted and decide to lend a hand. The man turns out to be a Vietnam veteran and since Mike’s father was killed in that conflict, a quick bond is forged. Mike agrees to help the man get some cash to his daughter, who happens to have a sick child. When Mike arrives at his mother’s house, he is greeted with some stunning news. His father wasn’t killed in Vietnam, instead he died in a motorcycle accident. But he kept his old chopper and while it needs some polish, it belongs to Mike now.But the journey isn’t over yet and before the end of the road comes, Mike will have face down even more adverse situations…
Easy Rider, this isn’t. An attempt to cash in on the popular series Sons of Anarchy, Born to Ride is a nonsensical road movie turned political thriller. Imagine Robin Hood on motorcycles, a good Samaritan who delivers boxes of cash to sick children, saves armed forces veterans from muggers, and aims to make politics honest again. Not exactly the premise the cover suggests, with the bare midriff of a stacked woman and promises of anarchic antics. In short, Born to Ride is a lame duck thriller with some biker elements tacked on. Casper Van Dien is hilarious, as he tries his best to look tough and be a “real biker.” William Forsythe is fun to watch as always, but his presence alone can’t keep this thing afloat. Unless you just love bikers with hearts of gold or lukewarm thrillers, Born to Ride should be dumped off at the state line.
Video: How does it look?
Born to Ride is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is a solid, but not memorable visual effort. The image sports a clean, bright texture that never looks bad, but also never stands out as great. I found detail to be passable for a standard disc, as the image isn’t razor sharp, but also not on the soft side. No concerns with contrast emerge, while colors seem natural in scope. This one isn’t gonna sparkle, but it looks good.
Audio: How does it sound?
Not a remarkable soundtrack, as the Dolby Digital 5.1 option sputters more than roars. The track isn’t bad, but there just isn’t much life in there. Even the motorcycle engines don’t fill up the speakers like you’d expect, which in a movie about the biker life, seems odd. The dialogue is clear however, so while not powerful, the mix does handle the basics well. The music also sounds okay, but again doesn’t dazzle. This disc also includes English and Spanish subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes no bonus materials.
