Supercross (2005) (PG-13) ½

Supercross proves there's a good reason we don't see many zero-to-hero themed Motocross films. It could have at least included a little more real-life Motocross footage, if only to make the film a teensy bit engaging.

Story

The brothers Carlyle--K.C. (Steve Howey) and Trip (Mike Vogel)--have had just about enough of cleaning pools as a way to get by, so they decide to fully pursue their dreams of making it to the top of the Motocross world. In their first run, Trip, the younger of the two siblings, trips (couldn't resist) and wipes out, breaking his leg and damaging his career. His big brother is then deemed the better prospect and signs on with a big-name racing team. Meanwhile, Trip, arguably possessing more natural ability out of the two, wallows in self-pity and reverts back to his old self-destructive ways instead of trying to get back into shape to ride again. But don't fret. With K.C.'s burgeoning career in full swing, Trip gets just the pick-me-up he needs from his girlfriend, Piper (Cameron Richardson), and resolves to, at the very least, help his brother rise to the top. If it still is not inherently clear enough how the movie ends up, well then, you're probably the one person Supercross is searching for.

Acting

When one of your marquee names in a film--a name that's going to ultimately help attract an audience--is a guy who's most famous for a cult classic two decades ago (Revenge of the Nerds), you know you're in trouble. That's right, Skolnick's back. Robert Carradine arguably gets his biggest role since Nerds, as the owner of the racing company who signs K.C. While there's nothing wrong with his performance, you can't help but wish you were watching a Nerds reunion movie instead. The rest of the acting is fine, but it's a non-factor, with relative unknowns rounding out the cast. Howey and Vogel bear striking resemblances to Ben Affleck and a younger, more disheveled Brad Pitt, respectively, and their performances are solid, but their careers certainly aren't going to blossom with Supercross on their resumes. TV's One Tree Hill's Sophia Bush lends her name and beauty to a supporting role as K.C.'s girlfriend, Zoe. Oops, almost forgot. Aaron Carter (yes, the same teeny booper pop star Aaron Carter), who still doesn't look a day over nine years old, is supposed to pass as a weary Motorcross racer. Hmmm...

Direction

Supercross director Steve Boyum has had his hand in a great many films in years past--as a stunt coordinator and stuntman. His only other true foray into directing, aside from a couple straight-to-video releases, was the 1998 dud Meet the Deedles. Supercross obviously highlights Boyum's expert experience in the stunt department, even if the effects looks cheesy, but unfortunately, his lack of experience directing is also evident. It's not entirely his fault, however. There really isn't anywhere to go with such an anemic script, as well as with a subject matter that has no business being made into a feature film, except as a mildly interesting documentary. Whether you're dozing off, or covering your ears from the decibel levels, the film just doesn't connect.Supercross is sort of on par with the 1998 colossal failure Rollerball. Both films are about fringe sports. But the Rollerball remake came with much larger expectations--and, frankly, looks like a Orson Welles-ian masterpiece compared to Supercross.

Bottom Line

If it's hard to pinpoint the one thing about Supercross that makes it utterly horrid, it's because basically, the whole film maintains that very level. Unless you fall in the target-audience bracket--age 16 to 16-and-a-half--steer clear.