Supercross

Looking like a made-for-TV flick produced on the cheap, Supercross is set in the world of competitive motorcycle racing, a rapidly growing sport with big-money prizes (so one has to wonder why this semi-promotional effort—made in association with Clear Channel Entertainment Motor Sports—appears to have been shot on a home-movie budget). The script recycles every cliché of the genre into an indigestible farrago of familial melodrama, young-love soap opera, corporate skullduggery, and splashy race footage, with its thoroughly laughable underdog-takes-the-gold tale of two hot-wheels brothers—one cautious and responsible, the other a rebellious risk-taker. After the former is hired by a bike company, a fallout develops between the bros that is eventually resolved, leading to a (surprise!) climactic race. There's a certain amount of amusement to be had from watching a movie this inept go through its paces, but not nearly enough, and while the teen male target audience may well appreciate the periodic shots of the derrieres of nubile young women as they saunter away from the camera—a virtual visual leitmotif—everyone else should supercross this pathetic slice of hokum off their viewing list. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include both widescreen and full screen versions of the film, audio commentary by director Steve Boyum, a Fox Movie Channel “Casting Session” production (8 min.), and production featurettes on “The Stunts” (4 min.), “The Stunt Doubles” (3 min.), “The Story” (3 min.), “The Industry” (2 min.), and “The Cast and Crew” (2 min.). Bottom line: a solid extras package for a silly film.] (F. Swietek)