Most people experience various age-based crises at pivotal points in their lives. Nothing much can be done about the bookend ones -- birth and death -- but the rest show a person's true nature and resolve over matters that are more psychological than physical. True, raging hormones do affect kids when they turn into adolescents and then finally reach official adulthood, but the impact of other milestones -- the 21st, 30th, 40 and especially 50th birthdays -- are mostly in one's head.
While it can and does affect both genders, men seem to be more predisposed to the midlife crisis where they suddenly realize that at least half of their life has passed them by. Accordingly, they make last-ditch efforts to hold onto some semblance of youth.
For some men, that involves having affairs with younger women, while others buy sports cars, hip clothes or participate in sports that tax their bodies, all in a futile effort to look and hopefully feel more youthful. Then there are those who simply want to be free of any encumbrances that might be holding them back from a similar feeling.
Many of those then set out, solo or with other male friends who are in the same leaky boat, if you will, to see where the skies (via flying), seas (sailing) or roads (any motorized vehicle) might take them. Of course, once they arrive at their mythological destination -- but usually somewhere along the way before then -- they realize that the grass isn't any greener and sometimes is so sharp it cuts one's feet.
Such is the case for the four protagonists in "Wild Hogs" who need to get away from it all (that being a failed marriage, a nagging and domineering wife, a successful but unfulfilling life, and being a women-shy, computer geek) and choose their weekend motorcycles as their means of escape. Biker wannabees, they end up running into the real thing, realize that sort of lifestyle isn't the answer to their woes, and then grow up and accept who they are.
Oops, that latter part was just me imagining what occurred, for this isn't a middle-aged, coming-of-age drama about such men. Instead, it's a road trip comedy, or at least that's what it purports to be, because I don't remember laughing that much, what with the repeated, lowbrow attempts at humor.
Featuring a good actor (that being William H. Macy slumming it, apparently for the paycheck or, following the film's underlying theme, trying to appear hip) and a trio of name actors who've committed some major cinematic sins in their lives (that being John "Battlefield Earth" Travolta, Martin "Black Knight" Lawrence and Tim "Christmas With the Kranks" Allen), the film isn't so much undone by their efforts, but rather that of director Walt Becker.
If that name doesn't ring a bell, I have two words for you: Van Wilder. Who knows how one goes from directing such a movie abomination to helming another picture (and one with far bigger stars, including Ray Liotta and Marisa Tomei in supporting roles), but I can only guess Becker has pictures of someone important in some sort of compromising position. That will be proven true if he gets another directing gig after this mess, although it's a safe bet it should make more money than "VW" (and money's the only language of note in Hollywood).
While set in the present, the film is filled with enough period songs to, well, sell a soundtrack or two to nostalgic baby boomers, as well as an episodic plot courtesy of screenwriter Brad Copeland. That's no surprise considering its underlying road trip structure, but even on that level, it's decidedly less than inspired and certainly not very smart or creative.
Instead, and not surprisingly considering the director's pedigree, the film relies on various sophomoric running gags, such as a great deal of homophobic humor (including, but certainly not limited to John C. McGinley as an enthusiastic gay cop who mistakes the men's camaraderie and misfortune for sexual preference), Macy's character running around with his "poop" bag, and Liotta's biker gang wanting revenge on the title characters for blowing up their bar.
Liotta (with that intense and slightly manic gaze) dives into his psychopathic character with plenty of gusto, but the script pretty much leaves him high and dry when it comes to delivering related laughs. That certainly holds true for the rest who get a little mileage and a few chuckles based on the familiar personalities they bring to their characters, but obviously strain under the weight of the juvenile antics inflicted upon them by the filmmakers.
With the proper tone and just the right touch, this might have been an okay and possibly even rather entertaining diversion. As it stands, it's trapped somewhere between comedies aimed at adolescent boys and the geriatric ones (think "Grumpy Old Men") that target a much older demographic.
At one point in the film, Macy's character asks the question every middle-aged person queries at some point: "Did you ever wake up and wonder what happened to your life?" After experiencing this film, you'll be asking the same about the time spent watching it that you'll never get back.
Filled with far two many inane, juvenile and mostly unsuccessful attempts at humor to mention, "Wild Hogs" is one big, loud and foul backfire on the road to midlife crisis humor. It rates as a 3 out of 10.
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