Movie Review
Wild Hogs
Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on March 2, 2007
Let’s play a game called “Which one of these doesn’t belong?†I will give you the names of 4 Hollywood actors and you tell me which one doesn’t fit with the others. John Travolta, Tim Allen, Martin Lawrence and William H. Macy. If you said Martin Lawrence, then you may be a racist. If you said William H. Macy, then you are still wrong. The answer is all of them. They all don’t belong, especially when it come to making a movie about middle aged men dealing with their mid-life crisis’ by heading off on a cross country motorcycle trip. In fact, prior to making this middle-aged man on bike-a-thon, these four actors had never even met. What they found in their newly acquired kinship may be a movie so laugh out loud funny that it will surprise you; at least, I know it surprised me.
Up to their handle bars in their unfulfilled and clich©d lives, these Wild Hogs decide that it is time to take to the open road where only freedom (and plenty of trouble) lie ahead of them. Doug (Tim Allen) is a dentist whose son has no respect for him because he is “lameâ€; Bobby (Martin Lawrence) is the classic house husband, bossed around by his wife and ignored by his deviant children; Woody (John Travolta) is a washed up talent agent whose supermodel wife left him to be bankrupt and alone with his Harley; and Dudley (William H. Macy) is a computer programmer whose dating skill set is on par with that of a brick wall.
The four take on the open road, mostly seen riding through the open spaces of the American Midwest, which is aptly filmed by Director Walt Becker (Van Wilder) and Cinematographer Robbie Greenberg (The Santa Clause 3) and supported by a soundtrack mixed with riding music from the 70s (Foghat’s “Slow Rideâ€) and the 80s (AC/DC’s “Highway to Hellâ€). It is much of what you would expect from a movie where 50% of the 99 minute run time is watching four guys ride their hogs on a lonely highway.
What you don’t expect is the infectious brand of comedy that this foursome delivers, with the help of some interesting characters of the open road, of course. Among those interesting characters is a brief encounter with a nefariously gay highway patrolman, played by the constantly scene stealing John C. McGinley (Office Space). Also among those interesting characters is Jack (Ray Liotta), a hardcore biker and the leader of a gang called the Del Fuegos. After a quick run-in with the Del Fuegos that results in the blowing up of their biker bar, the “Hogs†find themselves no longer on their way to the free, open roads and more or less on the run.
Of course they seek to find a way out of their mess, bond together and break free of their mundane existences to prove that they are still young at heart. But you don’t care about that, nor will you care about it when you see this movie (and hint, hint: you should see this movie). What you will care about is the fact that this predictably sappy plot yields some surprisingly ruckus comedic moments, all at the hands of its four bikesmen. Travolta is a bit zany, Allen is oblivious, Lawrence is full of attitude and William H. Macy is just unnecessarily geeky. Yet when you combine them all, you pretty much end up laughing your ass off. And you will, in fact, laugh your ass off. And you’ll be glad that the folks who made this one didn’t play that old game of “Which one doesn’t belong?â€
Wild Hogs is in theaters nationwide on March 2, has a running time of 99 minutes and is rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, and some violence.
Read more articles by Neil Miller
36 Comments
March 4th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
does this movie “Wild Hogs”
have a soundtrack? i love the music in it
March 7th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
nice lead, I couldn’t grasp why any of these are in a movie together. I can see Martin and Tim, since they both focus on comedy, but all four together? crazy, but I’m glad it works. I also originally thought Martin was too young for this part.
March 7th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Carol — It doesn’t look like a soundtrack has been released for this one. At least, not that I can see.
Tara — I would agree about Martin, but he does fit in quite well. I initially thought that William H. Macy was a bit too old to be playing a guy who had so much trouble with women… But then I remembered some people I know who are in that boat…
March 10th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Wild Hogs was a great movie. It was the funniest movie we have seen with enough to keep you from looking away. Just complete enjoyment and laughed so hard we were exhausted after it was over. The entire theatre (which was full) laughed as hard as we did. Great Movie. The four stars are diverse enough to make it more interesting. The music was wonderful, we WILL buy the soundtrack!!!
March 13th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Soundtrack??? anytime soon???
April 2nd, 2007 at 7:11 pm
SOUNDTRACK, SOUNDTRACK, we want the soundtrack.
April 21st, 2007 at 9:56 pm
a little late, but I finally saw the film. Loved it and stopped on the way home at B&N to buy a soundtrack. couldn’t find one. So I tried googling and wound up here. I see I’m not alone in wanting the soundtrack. Doesn’t look like it is going to happen.
May 5th, 2007 at 7:17 am
Okay…Need some HELP!! There is a song in the trailer that is played right after they blow up the bar and continues to the bull sceen…Remember it’s the trailer I am talking about. What is that song? I thought it was Rob Thomas or Matchbox 20 but I am NOT sure so if anyone knows it please please help! Thank you!
May 27th, 2007 at 11:35 am
I saw this at the local drive-in. I had never even seen it advertised, didn’t know who was in it or what it was about. I’m soooo glad that I went!! I found it hyterically funny and you could hear the collective laughter from all the hundreds of cars around me. A took an acquaintance along with my two children (they’d gotten in the car to go to sleep). My friend said quote, “I’m getting the DVD as soon as it’s out.” When I checked on my children, they were wide awake and laughing hard. Shame on those who have no sense of humor; they try to ruin the good movies for those of us who do by writing bad reviews!
GO SEE IT!!!
June 2nd, 2007 at 11:14 am
Very enjoyable movie - - would pay to see it again
It’s now JUNE - and I too have been all over the net looking for a sound track.
I want a WILD HOG’S sound track!!!!!!!
July 21st, 2007 at 2:17 am
Love to buy the movie and sound track to the movie Wild Hogs
August 23rd, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Really want this sound track, is it out there yet?
August 27th, 2007 at 10:51 am
I want a sound track !!!!!!
August 27th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
I want a sound track!!!!
August 27th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Who can we talk to about publishing a soundtrack, cause it is obvious that we all want one, and we are probably not the only ones. Any ideas???
August 29th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Does anyone know if they have a soundtrack out yet? My husband and i have looked everywhere and still cant find one!! Anyone have any ideas let me know.
August 30th, 2007 at 12:40 am
OK…looks like no soundtrack anytime soon……no biggie, most of the songs can be had thru iTunes or whatever……there is 1 though I do not know……got the verse “walks like a man…..talks like a man….”……originally a 60’s tune I think but maybe not this version…..anyway, anyone know the name, who released it, the band, etc…….tried searching itunes but no luck…………..thx….mp
August 30th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
grand funk railroad sings the song you are asking about mike. does anyone know the name of the song thats playing at the end of the movie when the wives show up? the tune sounds familiar but i cant place it. thanks.
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I myself just watched the movie and I loved the music as well. I am not one to buy cd’s but this soundtrack is one I would purchase….now that is why I am here.
Let’s get a soundtrack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The movie was great.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:49 am
HI THERE.. DOES ANYONE KNOW THE NAME OF THE MOVIE IN THE SCENE WHERE THEY ARE AT THE FAIR /CHILLI FESTIVAL IN MADRID .. AND THE LITTLE SHORT CHUBBY GUY IS DOING KARAOKE ON STAGE … I THINK IT MAY HAVE THE WORDS.. RIDE A WILD PONY OR SOMTHING LIKE THAT ( AM PRETTY SURE ITS THE FIRST SONG HE SINGS ON THE STAGE AS I RECOGNISE ALL THE OTHERS) .. HOPE SOMEONE OUT THERE KNOWS
September 4th, 2007 at 4:50 am
SORRY - I MEANT THE NAME OF THE SONG IN THE SCENE AT THE CHILLI FESTIVAL…ARGHH!!!
September 4th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
What version of Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys was on the movie at the end???,, Thanks for any info, love that song!!!!
September 5th, 2007 at 5:00 am
There is a song which is played (only a couple of bars) when William H Macy was sampling some chillis at the fair - has anyone any idea what it is?
September 5th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Looking for the sound track. Does any one know if there is one out?
September 11th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
For all those looking for a soundtrack to the movie “Wild Hogs”: it doesn’t appear that one will be produced — it’s probably too costly to get the rights to all the fantastic songs they used in the film. But, the Internet Movie Database does appear to have a fairly complete track listing of all the music in the film so you can create your own. That’s my plan. Here is the link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486946/soundtrack
Hope this helps!
September 13th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Elena:
The song you wanted to know about during the chili cook off is Ginuwine’s, “My Pony”.
September 21st, 2007 at 10:46 pm
what song plays while bill macy and marisa tomei dance at the chile festival?
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:46 pm
What is the music playing when Dudley is trying to impress the girl with his laptop when he is first introduced? It starts with some nice music. I think that I have heard it before at some time. Thanks
January 5th, 2008 at 3:15 am
Jan. 4th, 2008 at 12:15am
hubby and I just finished watching the “Wild Hogs” movie for the 3rd time, and I will never grow tired of it. I love to watch movies that hit home with regards to life in the “middle-aged lane”. Another favorite is “Something’s Gotta Give”. The 4 main characters/personalities, compliment each other and make for a fun time, not to mention the supporting actors as well. I too went in search of a soundtrack (none), but as suggested, download and make your own. I thought one song in particular was a crack-up as performed in the movie, (don’t know the title: “Don’t you wish your g/f was hot like me”, hahaha. This is my first time making comments on-line and it was fun.
January 6th, 2008 at 12:35 am
I just finished watching this movie for the second time and loved it as much the second time around; too bad there is no soundtrack I loved all of the music. I tried the link that Denise posted and was able to find the name of the songs that were escaping me. Thanks Denise.
February 22nd, 2008 at 12:30 pm
SOUND TRACK!!! Must have sound track!
March 30th, 2008 at 9:36 am
I want a soundtrack too!!
March 30th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Anyone willing to make the soundtrack would make some serious money off it. Great Music.
May 30th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Can anyone tell me which version of Wanted Dead or Alive is used in Wild Hogs? I love it.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:23 am
the soundtrack end of the movie when they ride on beach is
Brian Wilson - Good Vibrations
i liked the movie and this song too much … sm1 find me a motorcycle :p
wanted deaD OR AL?VE is performed by bon jovi i think :)
July 5th, 2008 at 9:24 am
look for it may be help you …