Torque
THIS MOVIE is one HELL of a ride if you love bikes. If you don't love them, you will, the producers say. But yes, a ride it is, whether you love them or not.
Rightfully, Warner Bros and Village Roadshow Pictures' "Torque" should come with a `B' Certificate from the Censors. Bikers only, that is.
``What is it about you guys with cars that makes you a complete ... ?,'' Cary Ford (Martin Henderson) asks a bunch of freshly beaten up baddies. He gives them a thrashing in the first few minutes of the film. By which time, one has already seen one crazy bike chase stunt, one fight sequence and heard at least a couple of punch lines. "Torque" has great pick-up, the pace is fuelled by the action on the bikes. The script structure could be described like this: Gear One — start of a bike race, Gear two — chase stunts, Gear Three — slick action, Gear Four — hot girls, Gear Five — gang fights.
The movie is all about shifting from one gear to another, at top speed. Close on the wheels of the "The Fast and the Furious," (made by the same producers), "Torque" blends the formula of tough men, tougher machines and sexy women.
Will Martin Henderson turn another Vin Diesel? No, while Vin Diesel had the authentic raw Dharmendra toughness about him, Martin as Cary Ford, simply comes across as a wannabe action hero.
The storyline is only an excuse for Road Rash to unfold on the big screen — how else would you explain why the bike chase atop the train was so integral to the script?
"Torque" is a cleverly manufactured script that will appeal to those addicted to high voltage action, video games, "Knight Rider" (actually, "Knight Rider," though a TV series had a more innovative script and a smart screenplay) and music videos. This is such pure, popcorn entertainment that you can leave your brains safely tucked inside the helmet at the parking lot before you head for the theatre.
For the record, the story is all about how Cary Ford gets framed for the murder of the younger brother of Trey (the really cool Ice Cube), the fearsome leader of another motorcycle gang. So while he is on the run, he must get back with his ex-girlfriend Shane ( Monet Mazur), convince Trey he is not that bad a biker boy and settle scores with Henry (Matt Schulze), Trey's rival biker gang leader.
Director Joseph Kahn is in full control of the proceedings, sitting on the pillion, watching biker cameramen Chris Hayes and Peter Levy, complete the fast-paced movie that reaches the finish line in 83 minutes flat! Verdict: No helmet required, just get, set and go on this breezy bike ride. Word of caution: The parking ticket, however, is expensive.
SUDHISH KAMATH
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