BMX Bandits (1983/Umbrella Entertainment/PAL Region Zero/0/Free DVD Import Set)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C+
Film: C+
PLEASE NOTE: This DVD set can only be operated
on machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region Zero/0/Free PAL
format software and can be ordered from our friends at Umbrella Entertainment
at the website address provided at the end of the review.
In the
midst of directing Oz-Ploitation classics like The Man From Hong Kong, Deathcheaters,
Stunt Rock and Turkey Shoot (all reviewed on this site), Brian Trenchard-Smith
decided to direct a teen action film for a younger audience and the result is a
film that has was a moderate hit and comes with the period title BMX Bandits. The 1983 film was especially a hit in its
native Australia
and also helped launch the career of its then 15-year-old star Nicole Kidman.
Three
teens (Kidman, Angelo D’Angelo and James Lugton) discover a box of (old, big
analog) walkie talkies (new then) that turn out to have been used in a major
bank robbery as a way to communicate and escape authorities. When the robbers want it back, the trip knows
they have no idea who found the box and decide to mess with the criminals, but
as they keep pushing their luck, things may just backfire.
A comedy
in the mode of Goonies (megafan
Tarantino likes this film even better and I agree), Trenchard-Smith has
delivered a competent, simple, child-friendly film that is also a time capsule
of childhood long ago that transcends the market it was made in. The title sounds like it would be a total
piece of opportunistic junk, but it is actually not bad and at least a curio
with Kidman in it, yet it could discover a new cult and kid audience if
rediscovered (or even remade), so it is worth a look. The adult cast includes veteran actor Bryan
Marshall (The Avengers, The Saint, Brian Clemens’ Thriller, Return
Of The Saint) in a film with more energy than expected.
The anamorphically
enhanced 2.35 X 1 image was shot in real anamorphic 35mm Panavision film by John
Seale (Rain Man, The Perfect Storm) and is a fine use of
the scope frame that does not look like a phony kids films the studio is ready
to send to VHS tape. Color is not bad,
but detail can be limited. The Dolby
Digital 2.0 Stereo is also not bad for its age and a film that was an old Dolby
A-type analog theatrical release.
Extras on
DVD One include the original theatrical trailer and a feature length audio
commentary led by Trenchard-Smith, while DVD Two adds stills, brief TV
appearance by Kidman promoting the film, PDF DVD-ROM accessible Press Clippings
and brand new making of featurette BMX Buddies.
As noted
above, you can order this PAL DVD import set exclusively from Umbrella at:
http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/
-
Nicholas Sheffo
