Biker Boyz

Biker Boyz is a 2003 American sports action drama film, directed by Reggie Rock Bythewood and written by Bythewood and Craig Fernandez, based on the 2000 New Times LA article of the same name by Michael Gougis. The film is about a group of underground motorcycle drag racers, and the intense rivalry between a legendary motorcyclist and a young racing prodigy who has formed his own biker club.

The film features an ensemble cast including Laurence Fishburne, Derek Luke, Meagan Good, Djimon Hounsou, Brendan Fehr, Rick Gonzalez, Larenz Tate, Terrence Howard, Orlando Jones, Salli Richardson, and Kid Rock. It also features Lisa Bonet and Vanessa Bell Calloway.

Biker Boyz was released on January 31, 2003, in the United States by DreamWorks Pictures, received generally unfavorable reviews, and was a box-office failure.

Plot
In the world of underground motorcycle drag racing, the undefeated champion Smoke is the undisputed "King of Cali", fending off challengers for his crown. Racing prodigy Kid has been assisting his father, mechanic Slick Will, as they prepare Smoke's bike for racing. In narration, Kid quotes his dad as saying "the difference between men and boys is the lessons they learn" and adds that his father taught him plenty.

A local biker issues a challenge to Smoke, who accepts. Smoke, utilizing "tunnel vision", wins the race but the challenger crashes into a row of parked bikes. Upended, the motorcycle strikes Slick Will and throws him through a plate storefront window. Both men are instantly killed. At Slick Will's funeral, Smoke leads dozens of bikers from the "Black Knights" to offer his condolences to Slick Will's widow Anita. They drop a Black Knights flag into his grave; Kid is unimpressed with the gesture.

Six months later, Kid, a now capable rider who is hustling with fellow racer Stuntman, attend a biker party where Kid and Stuntman hustle a fellow racer named Donny after Kid disrupted a race between Donny and Stuntman to show off his new bike and impress a woman he met in the crowd, Tina. To cover their tracks, fellow biker Primo suggests that the trio form a bike club. Kid starts a romance with Tina. Kid makes amends to the biker jury consisting of 10 leaders of the most powerful biker gangs following his stunt. He apologizes for his disrespect towards Smoke, their chairman, and they agree to verify the new club with the trio calling themselves "Biker Boyz".

Smoke is challenged by leader of the Strays and long-time rival Dogg, and the two wager thousands and the title. The day of the race, Smoke defeats Dogg and afterwards, in late but stunting fashion, the Biker Boyz arrive. Kid trash talks Motherland in an impromptu move to provoke Smoke. Smoke is unamused with Kid's bid to "make an entrance" and the Black Knights exit. Motherland and Kid race until police arrive and arrest Kid. A lawyer for the Black Knights bails Kid out and Anita confronts him, threatening to kick Kid out if he races again.

The night of the Black Knights annual dance, Kid is challenged by proxy to race Dogg and accepts after a squabble with Tina's brother and Stray mechanic Wood. Anita finds Smoke before the race and demands that he stop it. Smoke and Anita argue until she relents, telling Smoke that Kid is his son and not Slick Will's. Incredulous, Smoke is moved to act and manages to draw Kid into an altercation. Kid attacks Smoke, but gets his keys confiscated and knocked out, averting the race.

Recovering at home, Kid confronts Anita, who confesses. Enraged, Kid moves in with Tina. Kid elects to go rogue and after gaining more followers for his club, gathers his team. When Stuntman successfully hustles the nephew of a dangerous biker, he and Primo are ambushed at a party. Kid comes to the rescue but is overpowered by the leader of the other club who pulls a gun. Smoke and a group of Black Knights intervene and convince the vengeful bikers to stand down. Smoke and Kid have a sit down at the Biker Boyz spot but Kid is more dismissive and angry as ever. Smoke agrees to race Kid under the condition that whoever loses will never race again, but first Smoke has to allow Kid to race Dogg at the next circuit event. Soon thereafter Kid reconciles with Anita.

At the race track, Kid and his team face the Strays with Smoke and the Black Knights at watch from the stands. Dogg and Kid race down the strip until Dogg does a "bump and run" causing Kid to "lay the bike down" into a crash. Although Kid is unhurt, his bike is wrecked. Smoke informs Kid that the authorities are closing the track, due to the amount of crashes, but he has managed to rent a farm outside of town, securing their race. Kid agrees to arrive the next day.

Kid, Primo, and Stuntman try to fix Kid's bike when the Strays arrive to confront them. Wood confirms that the damage is too severe to mend in time for the race. Dogg concedes that only their bikes are as strong and fast as Smoke's. As a peace offering, Dogg lends Kid his bike.

The following day, Black Knights and Biker Boyz arrive and line up in opposing formation in the open field. Smoke calls for a fair race, with no nitrous oxide system; Kid wants Tina to call the start. Smoke and Kid race on a dirt road behind the farm and Kid adopts Smoke's "tunnel vision" with the finish line in sight. On course to win, Smoke is suddenly filled with emotions and instead slows down to let his son win, giving way to Kid becoming the new "King of Cali".

Smoke relinquishes the crown to a humbled and respectful Kid who tells Smoke to keep his helmet. Kid watches on as his father rides off into the sunset and in narration repeats Slick Will's sentiment in full context that "the difference between men and boys are the lessons they learn" and adds that his father taught him plenty.

Cast

 * Laurence Fishburne as Manuel "Smoke" Galloway
 * Derek Luke as Jalil "Kid" Galloway, Anita's son, Tina's boyfriend and Smoke's estranged son
 * Orlando Jones as "Soul Train"
 * Djimon Hounsou as "Motherland"
 * Lisa Bonet as "Queenie"
 * Brendan Fehr as "Stuntman"
 * Larenz Tate as "Wood"
 * Terrence Dashon Howard as "Chu-Chu"
 * Kid Rock as "Dogg"
 * Rick Gonzalez as "Primo"
 * Meagan Good as Tina, Kid's Girlfriend
 * Salli Richardson-Whitfield as "Half & Half"
 * Vanessa Bell Calloway as Anita Galloway, Kid's Mother and Slick Will's Wife
 * Dante Basco as "Philly"
 * Kadeem Hardison as T.J
 * Dion Basco as "Flip"
 * Tyson Beckford as Donny
 * Eriq La Salle as William "Slick Will" Galloway, Kid's Stepfather
 * Nicholas Sheriff as "Kidd Chaos"

Featured motorcycles

 * Silver and Magenta 1999 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R: Smoke
 * Yellow and silver 2001 Suzuki GSX-R 750: Kid
 * Black 2000 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R: Dogg
 * Red and silver Ducati 996S: Primo
 * Silver 2000 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R: Kidd Chaos
 * Orange 1998 Yamaha R1: Chu Chu
 * Silver 2000 Yamaha R1: Stuntman
 * Green 1999 Suzuki TL1000R: 1/2 & 1/2
 * 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000: Soul Train
 * 2001 Honda CBR1100XX: Motherland
 * T-Rex (automobile): T.J.

Development
Biker Boyz is based loosely on Manuel "Pokey" Galloway the president of Valiant Riders of Pasadena, California.

Laurence Fishburne, Derek Luke, Orlando Jones, Djimon Hounsou, Nicholas Sheriff, Lisa Bonet, Brendan Fehr, Larenz Tate, Terrence Howard, Salli Richardson, Kid Rock, Rick Gonzalez, and Meagan Good are all avid bikers in real life.

The real "King Of Cali" made a cameo appearance in the film, in the scene where Kid is in a meeting with the set.

Slick Will really doesn't blink as the bike hits him, as Soul Train states.

Actual motorcycle clubs were on the set as technical advisors, and performed some of the tricks, stunts, and racing. They include Valiant Riders, The Mighty Black Sabbath Motorcycle Club Nation, G-Zer Tribe, Ruff Ryders, Soul Brothers, Total Package, Chosen Few MC, Rare Breed, Brothers of the Sun, Sisters of the Sun, Deuces, and Black Sabbath New Breed.

The Biker Boyz jackets were in part inspired by Nexxunlimited Entertainment (as shown in the end credits).

Soundtrack
A soundtrack containing hip hop, rock and R&B music was released on January 23, 2003, by DreamWorks Records. It peaked at #98 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

Critical response
The movie received generally negative reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a score of 22% based on reviews from 94 critics. The site's consensus states: "Waste of a good cast. For a movie about bike racing, it never gets up to speed." Metacritic gives the film a score of 36% based on reviews from 27 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.

Box office
The film was a box office failure, earning a worldwide total of $23.5 million against a $24 million budget.

Home media
The film was released on DVD & VHS on June 10, 2003, in North America, and on DVD in the United Kingdom on August 21, 2004.