Supercross: The Movie (PG-13)

Low-budget film is about race footage, not plot.

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Common Sense rates it
2
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Twentieth Century Fox, Twentieth Century Fox
  • Directed By: Steve Boyum
  • Cast: Mike Vogel, Steve Howey
  • Running Time: 80 minutes
  • Release Date: 08/17/2005
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 01/31/2006
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: PG-13
  • MPAA Explanation: language and some sexuality

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is all about motorcycle racing. The competitions and stunts are sometimes exciting, often repetitive, shot with light digital cameras to emphasize movement and cut to highlight flying dirt and reacting crowds, as well as bikes flying through the air, crashing, and spinning. A couple of characters throw punches, girls wear tight outfits and show cleavage, boys curse mildly, drink beer and soda (they engage in a couple of kissing scenes that cut before much else happens). The racetracks feature prominent ads for bikes and bike-related products (tires, oil, and smokeless tobacco).

Families can talk about the conflict between the brothers. Clichéd in its conception (one brother is independent-minded and aggressive, the other more conservative, but still an excellent racer!), how does the movie update old ideas to appeal to an X-games fan base? How are the girlfriends, opponents, and father figures all used to illuminate the brothers' relationship? Does Trip's sacrifice show his generosity, loyalty to his brother, devotion to his father's memory, or perhaps his questionable investment in a sports championship?

Message

Social Behavior:

The brothers learn to support one another, set against cheaters and commercial ambitions.

Consumerism:

Someone orders a Heineken at a bar; racetrack signage includes ads for motorcycle equipment, Pepsi, smokeless tobacco.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Beer drinking, a brief scene at a bar, a visible cigar.

Violence

Races can be hectic and aggressive, some crashes.

Sex

Minor kissing, girls in tight outfits and short shorts, focus on cleavage at racetracks.

Language

Mild cursing (variations on "ass," "bitch").

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Cynthia Fuchs

After the death of their father, Trip (Mike Vogel) and older brother K.C. (Steve Howey) seek fame their own fame. Both gifted racers, they're opposite in temperament and appearance: tall and dark, K.C. rides "old school," according to Trip, playing it safe, whereas sandy-haired, slight-bodied Trip takes after their father, a "frequent flyer," who relishes catapulting himself-and-vehicle into the air, spinning and twisting until landing just hard enough to jolt your teeth fillings a bit.

Is it any good?

2

Low-budget and light on plot, SUPERCROSS: THE MOVIE focuses on its motorcycle races. Like '40s musicals, the movie arranges a loose-goosey plot to showcase fabulous dance numbers, here involving motorbikes and sand, smash cuts and frequent slow motion. Following a stunning first outing at a public race, they're both noted by Team Nami owner Clay (Robert Carradine), who hires K.C. to block other racers from endangering his son Rowdy's wins. Bald, inked, and vaguely egomaniacal, Rowdy (Channing Tatum) is the film's designated villain, though he's hardly colorful enough to warrant much attention.

The brothers eventually come to an understanding, though not with much help from adults. (No mothers in sight in this movie, but a pile-on of dads, including the dead one, a bad one, and a good one.) The races chart their changes: as the courses and crowds get larger, Trip and K.C. start making choices that are less selfish. But they never lose sight of their goal to "get famous."

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

4


Posted on 10/24/06 by Adult contributor

"Supercross" Cycle Show Docudrama

The film "Supercross: The Movie" shows some super cycle photography, especially nearing the conclusion. For the movie audience, count on waiting for the "pay day" of actual contest photography and stunt photography mixed with this limited story about young people living in Southern California. The digital production called "Supercross" has some interesting interviews on the DVD. The movie is also now in high definition television distribution, again called simply "Supercross".
4


Posted on 08/27/06 by thug2331 Kid contributor, age 13

Amazing

This was a really great movie. The plot wasa on target. There wasn't much obscenities and not that much sexal stuff.Some parents might be iffy about the sexual stuff but for the most part it was pretty clean and a great family film.
5


Posted on 09/04/05 by JayRobs Adult contributor

Exiting Action Movie

Although I've never riden motor bikes in my 60 years, Supercross was good entertainment and kept my attention for the entire 81 minutes !! Yes, it was a little short, a few technical details might not have been perfect but the film did convey the definite feeling of how dynamic supercross racing is and how the competitors must be totally aggressive from start to finish just to survive !! I can't recall any type of sports film that had actual race scenes included, no way a "staged" race could come even close to the "real deal" !! The racing was obviously the "star" but the supporting cast and script was pretty close to reality and there were the "good" and "bad guys" (how would it be with all good guys?) and there had to be either a "winner" or "loser". Don't most people root for the underdog anyway ? Sounds like life to me !! The action seemed realistic (in hot & sunny places don't short shorts and taking off your shirt/uni's seem common) and I bet the I'll bet the race site scenes were darn close to the way it is. All the critics nitpicking aside (none of which affected my enjoyment of the movie), Supercross is clearly not "Gone With the Wind" or "The Maltese Falcon" but proves a refreshing simple, family action/sports with intense racing scenes !! Supercross is the best "pure" entertainment picture I've seen in sometime !!

Adult Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

4


Posted on 10/24/06 by Adult contributor

"Supercross" Cycle Show Docudrama

The film "Supercross: The Movie" shows some super cycle photography, especially nearing the conclusion. For the movie audience, count on waiting for the "pay day" of actual contest photography and stunt photography mixed with this limited story about young people living in Southern California. The digital production called "Supercross" has some interesting interviews on the DVD. The movie is also now in high definition television distribution, again called simply "Supercross".
5


Posted on 09/04/05 by JayRobs Adult contributor

Exiting Action Movie

Although I've never riden motor bikes in my 60 years, Supercross was good entertainment and kept my attention for the entire 81 minutes !! Yes, it was a little short, a few technical details might not have been perfect but the film did convey the definite feeling of how dynamic supercross racing is and how the competitors must be totally aggressive from start to finish just to survive !! I can't recall any type of sports film that had actual race scenes included, no way a "staged" race could come even close to the "real deal" !! The racing was obviously the "star" but the supporting cast and script was pretty close to reality and there were the "good" and "bad guys" (how would it be with all good guys?) and there had to be either a "winner" or "loser". Don't most people root for the underdog anyway ? Sounds like life to me !! The action seemed realistic (in hot & sunny places don't short shorts and taking off your shirt/uni's seem common) and I bet the I'll bet the race site scenes were darn close to the way it is. All the critics nitpicking aside (none of which affected my enjoyment of the movie), Supercross is clearly not "Gone With the Wind" or "The Maltese Falcon" but proves a refreshing simple, family action/sports with intense racing scenes !! Supercross is the best "pure" entertainment picture I've seen in sometime !!

Kids Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

4


Posted on 08/27/06 by thug2331 Kid contributor, age 13

Amazing

This was a really great movie. The plot wasa on target. There wasn't much obscenities and not that much sexal stuff.Some parents might be iffy about the sexual stuff but for the most part it was pretty clean and a great family film.
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