"Del Fuegos" might've been a better movie than "Wild Hogs."  At least they're a motorcycle gang that's more interesting than the Wild Hogs.  Last spring's surprise hit is now on DVD.

The disc contains the feature film in widescreen (2.39:1), a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, French and Spanish language tracks, bonus features including a "making of" documentary, audio commentary by director Walt Becker and writer Brad Copeland, the alternate ending, deleted scenes, outtakes and a feature called "How To Get Your Wife To Let You Buy A Motorcycle."       

The cast is heavy and all-star with Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, Marisa Tomei and Ray Liotta.  The four middle aged and upper middle class friends (Allen, Travolta, Lawrence & Macy) decide to hit the open road on their Harleys as the Wild Hogs.  Think of this movie as an update of "City Slickers" (1991) on bikes and you get the idea.  Along the way, they cross paths with a menacing, yet cartoonish motorcycle gang called Del Fuegos, lead by Ray Liotta.  Of course the Wild Hogs get into trouble with these rough guys and comedy ensues. 

As with most of Disney's releases on DVD (this film was released thru Touchstone Pictures), the picture and sound quality of this disc is excellent.  Credit goes to cinematographer Robbie Greenberg, ASC for his outstanding choice of color and photography.  The film looks very good and has an intimate, yet expansive look.  The Dolby Digital sound, playing back at 384kbps, has a deep soundstage and has decent quality to it.  I'm sure the Blu-ray version's sound is much fuller, though.
 

"Wild Hogs" is passable entertainment.  It plays like a movie you might watch on a cross country airplane flight, while stuffed somewhere in coach.  You could watch it without headphones and still get the story.  You might also hear some chuckles here and there from your fellow passengers, especially those real life yuppies who might own a Harley.  Director Becker, according to the bonus documentary, sold Harleys at one time to pay for film school.  I guess he could relate to the bikes, and the cast could relate to a middle age crisis movie idea.  But it doesn't pan out in "Wild Hogs." 
 

The Hogs aren't very fascinating to watch or really care for, despite their often goofy adventures.  Almost all of them, except for William H. Macy's character, whine and pout about their lives.  They have some occasionally funny scenes through the movie, but as a whole, they're as disposable as the cue-it-up to "Give Me Some Lovin'" soundtrack.  They're predictable.

Who does stand out in the movie is Ray Liotta.  Here is an actor that we should've seen more over the years.  He's menacing yet funny in his role of the leader of Del Fuegos.  In "Good Fellas" (1990) and "Unlawful Entry" (1992), he could play a convincing hood in a great movie, or a bad cop in a terrible movie.  Either way, Liotta commanded your attention on the screen.  He's the best character in "Wild Hogs."
 

Despite my own reservations about this movie, there is obviously an audience for it.  It took in an impressive amount of money during its release in April of this year.  I'm sure it will do well on DVD and as a rental.  However with such a great cast and decent idea, "Wild Hogs" could've been a better ride.    
 
Wild Hogs
Touchstone Home Entertainment
Catalog Number 53736
Region 1
2.39:1
Dolby Digital 5.1
DVD Release Date: August 14, 2007
$29.99
PG-13
2007
100 minutes
Color
Director: Walt Becker
Cast: Tim Allen, John Travolta, Martin Lawrence, William H. Macy, Marisa Tomei and Ray Liotta
 

Special thanks to Mac & Dinah McLean

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