DVD Corner

The Bikeriders 4K UHD Review

“The Bikeriders” is a quality biker film.

Based on the photo-book by Danny Lyon, “The Bikeriders” is a 1960’s and 1970’s set crime-drama story that primarily revolves around 3 characters- Kathy, Benny (a member of the Vandals Motorcycle Club) and Johnny Davis (the leader of the Club). There are other key characters like Danny Lyon (who is following the bikers and interviewing them), The Kid, Brucie, Cockroach, Cal, and Zipco as well. Anyway, the story (which spans numerous years) covers the Club chapter expanding to other cities, Benny and Kathy’s relationship, Benny getting into trouble, The Kid wanting to join the Vandals, violence, and the Club’s growth and changes.

For 17 years now, writer/director Jeff Nichols has carved out a refreshingly unique career with underrated gems like “Mud” and “Take Shelter.” Now, after a 7 year absence, the filmmaker is back with a motorcycle gang story in the vein of “Sons Of Anarchy” and “The Wild One” (which is even referenced here). While the content is perhaps overly familiar, Nichols still manages to tell a compelling story about nostalgia, time, love, and change (for better or worse). The story almost plays like a tragedy in that the Club that started out as a fun adventure among friends and family begins to grow out of control and morph into something else entirely. Even the lives of the Club members begin to take a dark turn for many of them. “The Bikeriders” is also partially a love story with Benny being pulled in different directions with his wife Kathy and the Vandals leader Johnny (a sort of father figure). That’s the real core of the movie.

Speaking of the characters, Austin Butler oozes cool as Benny. He’s easily one of the most exciting actors in the biz today. Can’t wait to see what he does with each role. Normally, Jodie Comer turns in stellar work (see “The Last Duel”), but her distracting accent was a bit too much for me. Tom Hardy is perfectly cast as Johnny. It’s a more understated role for the actor. Expect to see a lot of familiar faces turning in good work here such as Michael Shannon (the DeNiro of the Nichols world), Boyd Holbrook, Damon Herriman, and Norman Reedus in a particularly inspired piece of casting.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39: 2160p. How does it look? The 4K disc offers up a pristine print. 

Audio Track: Dolby Atmos. How does it sound? From the roar of the motorcycle engines to the score, this is a perfect Atmos track.

Extras:
* Blu-ray copy
* Digital copy
* “Johnny, Benny And Kathy”- A featurette on the 3 core characters.
* “The Era Of The Bikeriders” covers the 1960’s period recreation.
* “The Filmmaker’s Eye: Jeff Nichols” is all about Nichols directorial style.
* Commentary by Jeff Nichols. 

August 12, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | 4K UHD Review | Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, Motorcycle Gang Movie, Norman Reedus, The Bikeriders 4K UHD Review, Tom Hardy