Wild Hogs: Ride into the Best Comedy of 2007

Four middle-aged men, who belong to a weekend warrior "gang" called the Wild Hogs, feel that they've grown old and lame so one of them talks the group into going on a road trip on motorcycles to become real bikers. They have fun at first, until they meet true bikers in a New Mexico bar belonging to the Del Fuegos biker gang. When the Del Fuegos steal a bike that belongs to the Wild Hogs, one of the Hogs returns to steal their bike back and inadvertently causes the bar to explode. Now the Del Fuegos want revenge!

When I first saw the trailer for Wild Hogs I knew I just HAD to see this! It looked hilarious and, after seeing it, I was not disappointed at all! Well, I didn't know it also had Ray Liotta playing the Del Fuegos biker gang leader. I just can't see him as a rough and tough gang leader but, since this is a comedy, I can live with it. Other than that one part, I've no problems with any of the other casting roles.

The four stars are played by the comedy greats, Tim Allen, John Travolta (not a pure comedian but he can be hilarious at times), Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy! What a treat to see all four together in the same movie! Just to see these four together is enough to get most comedy fans excited. Plus, toss in Marisa Tomei and John C. McGinley (as a gay cop) and you have comedy Heaven! And Peter Fonda puts in a cameo ala Easy Rider (1969). Just all terrific actors in one film! I can't ask for more! Everyone does their best. I think William H. Macy does the best job here as the "dumbest" of the already dumb four middle-aged guys. Being a comedy, dumb is a good thing.

The story is pretty much your simple guys suffering from their individual mid-life crisis story. Simple and straight to the point which is what comedies should be. When I want to laugh, I don't want to think or philosophize about the plot intricacies. Writer Brad Copeland picked up a new fan! He wrote a perfect, fun comedy. The script and dialogue are hilarious! Every situation the four characters find themselves in had me crying in laughter. Almost non-stop laughing for me. I'd consider watching this two or three times and those who know me know that I almost never watch a movie twice.

It does get a little hokey and goody-goody near the end but after the hokey part usually ends a comedy movie, it doesn't here. There's a small part after the usual ending that rids me of that hokey feeling and leaves me with a good laugh before really ending the film. And Peter Fonda doesn't look too goofy dressed up as an old biker and founder of the Del Fuegos gang, which is always a good thing.

This is the best comedy of 2007 so far and probably will be for the whole year. It will win several awards, it has to! If you enjoy an occasional no-think comedy, be sure to check this one out! I guarantee you won't be disappointed! 5/5 stars.

Cast/Characters:
Tim Allen ... Doug Madsen
John Travolta ... Woody Stevens
Martin Lawrence ... Bobby Davis
William H. Macy ... Dudley Frank
Ray Liotta ... Jack
Marisa Tomei ... Maggie
John C. McGinley ... Highway Patrolman
Peter Fonda ... Damien Blade

Directed by
Walt Becker

Writing credits
Brad Copeland (written by)