After two BMX bikers and their friend Judy find a case of walkie-talkies they are entangled in a cat and mouse chase with a ruthless gang of bank robbers that will stop at nothing to get what is theirs back. The three teens have more in for the robbers than they would ever expect. With the police not believing them they must take action into their own hands along with the help of their fellow bikers. Get ready to be entertained with high flying fun, cheesy 80's synth music, stunts galore, rad BMX outfits, and Nicole Kidman with puffy 80's hair!
Review: Long before Nicole Kidman became a huge star she played in a very cool film called BMX Bandits which I didn't actually hear about until I ran across the documentary "Not Quite Hollywood" a couple years back. I have always been a fan of the BMX and skateboard films of the 80's and early 90's, but for some reason BMX Bandits I must of overlooked. What you get here is a very cool and fun action comedy that is a great entry into Aussie cinema. You get a plot that is filled with BMX riders, bank robbers, cops, and a case filled with walkie talkies. I would consider it to be more of a teen film or even one that families could enjoy, there is more comedy and BMX riding than any sort of violence. The only thing I saw as being annoying in this film was a character who is an overweight biker who is simply just annoying, even though he does help out the plot.
As far as the other main characters go Jill (Nicole Kidman) and her 2 friends Goose (James Lugton) & P.J. (Angelo D'Angelo) as well as the bank robbers Whitey & Moustache, they are all really great at their roles in the story and really make the film entertaining. I particularly like the scene where the robbers are stalking them in the graveyard. There is alot of good comedy moments between the 2 groups. The bandits are what you would expect in a film like this, they are very much bumbling crooks that keep screwing up. The 3 teens of course play the typical intelligent kids who figure out ways to out smart the robbers, until of course they have the cliche moment of getting caught by the robbers for a brief period. Of course this film would not be a true 80's film if it didn't have some delightfully cheesy montages between the comedy and dialogue. Trust me there is plenty of those radical montages.
Now for most people this will be a typical film of the genre to see, but it still is quite enjoyable and in ways does hold up as a fun popcorn flick even nowadays. One thing I will say is that if you are going to get this film I highly recommend you pick up the blu-ray release because it simply looks great. The colors pop and the picture just looks great. Also you get a 40 minute featurette, director's commentary, theatrical trailer, and last but not least a clip of Nicole Kidman on a show called "Young Talent Time". What more could you ask for?! Get a copy of BMX Bandits and sit back with a bag of popcorn and have a great time!
-Daniel "Damnation" Lee
Director: Brian Trenchard-Smith
Genre: Comedy/Action
Blu-ray/DVD Release Year: 2010
Theatrical Release Year:1983
Time Length: 88 mins.
Company: Severin Films
Website:
www.severin-films.com
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