The BikeRiders
9/10
This drama movie inspired by true events was hyped as GoodFellas on Motorcycles which it lives up to.
This drama movie succeeds showing realistic mortality for the human characters suffering realistic consequences for action scenes.
A character having to remove glass after breaking a car window with a bare fist, Benny needing a long time to recover from a severe foot injury, characters have visible damage after a fist fight, etc.
Johnny is a charismatic memorable leader of the Chicago Vandals that isn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty , Benny is a likable badass Motorcyclist that isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty also it was easy to root for Benny and Kathy to remain together.
This drama movie is set in 1965, and the movie succeeds with clothes, Motorcycles, and other things fitting this 1960s era set movie.
The love story of Kathy Bauer and Benny Cross is a realistic love story.
No love at first sight, no chemistry or connection, or any other nonsensical romance cliches for 2 characters that are in a serious relationship before they get married.
The movie shows a realistic serious relationship since Benny and Kathy that get married after a stated amount of time having to deal with realistic issues.
This movie maintains credibility being a drama movie that is inspired by true events because it would be highly unbelievable if Benny and Kathy had a constant smooth relationship with no adversity and no challenges since that’s entirely unrealistic.
Why Kathy is worried about Benny is understandable it’s not contrived drama, also it’s believable why Benny doesn’t use an easy solution.
Benny and Kathy have the expected challenging conversation scene which is a successful dramatic scene.
From what is shown the movie implies Kathy experienced physical attraction at first sight when she first sees Benny who is unapologetically himself that includes wearing a sleeveless t-shirt with his tattoos very visible along with his arms.
A glaring plot hole is avoided when Johnny gives a believable explanation to his right hand man in the Chicago Vandals brigade for why he grants permission to a member to expand the club after they fought because during a meeting he declined the member’s request.
It has thrilling scenes with protagonists riding 1960s era Motorcycles, and the Chicago Vandals is a memorable badass logo for the Motorcycle brigade.
A very memorable scene has the protagonists revving the Motorcycles with the movie giving an understandable reason for why the protagonists are doing that.
It’s life imitating art since most likely Johny got inspired to create the Motorcycle Brigade after he watched a 1953 movie that has Marlon Brando has a protagonist.
Why exactly Benny decides to make a change is believable because of great writing with the movie providing a realistic believable reason.
It does have the predictable movie cliche where you expect a character to be outside before another character goes outside of the shown inside location except that isn’t a flaw.
The movie does deal with the very dark issue that is rape because of an attempted rape scene showing the trauma of the realistic aftermath.
The movie doesn’t have a character explain turn in my colors said by a character is a Chicago Vandals member saying he or she is leaving the Chicago Vandals brigade because of respecting the audience.
The movie shows the change of the Chicago Vandals brigade becoming a terrifying illegal brigade.
The fate of the protagonists is stated so the movie doesn’t leave with cliffhangers.
The protagonists in The Chicago Vandals are very distinguishable including different hairstyles, and this movie does succeed in having a consistent serious tone showing the Chicago Vandals have a very wolf pack mentality.
This movie does show it’s unsafe to ride a Motorcycle without a helmet, however respects the audience to understand that risk without preaching it, or outright saying it.
A bittersweet ending is earned, and it’s a satisfying ending.