WHAT !S – DVD Review

Ben Mulherin

What !s, the sequel to What !f, is the second instalment in the DVD series presented by Red Tide Pictures. The film showcases the abilities of some incredible riders, as we join them on their travels into the mountains, swamps and valleys of North America. Completely action packed from start to finish, cutting between the tranquil, natural landscapes of North America to the buzzsaw action of two and four-stroke engines screaming around on top of just about anything and everything you could imagine, including the scenic hilltops of California, and the thriving urban centres of Mexico.

Red Tide Pictures employs the cinematic talent of Wiley Watson to create a fast paced, action packed film. The rapid editing and creative camera angles builds a dramatic mood, and when accompanied by an up beat soundtrack, there’s plenty to satisfy a number of the viewers senses. Watson secures the pace of the film by using short 5-10 second clips, rapidly cutting between scenes. As a viewer, this ensures that interest and attention is maintained throughout the duration.

Additionally, the variety of full speed and slow motion clips further emphasizes the skill of the riders, and power of the bikes. It was clear the budget wasn’t an issue, as the high quality production shone through. The extensive use of helicopter footage made the film exciting, and the various locations used for filming kept it interesting.

The consistent talent of the riders throughout the film was extraordinary. Aussie rider Geoff Braico was among the stars, alongside others such as Caselli, Bobbitt, Bakken, Robert, Norman, Cody, Webb and more. The on-bike action from all the riders was without fault. However, viewers are provided very little information about who each rider is, and the discipline they belong to. We did get a somewhat personal insight into the riders life away from the track, yet it wasn’t as thorough as I might have hoped. Next to no interviews are definitely a downside for this off road film. Voice overs could have worked effectively, but this seems to have been over looked in production.

Overall, a surface look at the off-road riding scene in America today is displayed well. If you after an action packed film, What !s will provide you with plenty of visual pleasure. If you’re after an informative insight into the lives and journeys of featured riders, it’s recommended you look elsewhere. I believe that the film has indeed achieved what it set out to do; display off-road riding in a visually appealing manner, but unfortunately it doesn’t go too far beyond that.

All in all, an awesome watch. It’s definitely going to ignite a desire to throw a leg over your bike and get outdoors!

Rating: 4/5