A Great Ride
A Great Ride

A Great Ride

1979Movie90 minEnglish

Cocky, overconfident motocross champion Jim Dancer and his more mature and levelheaded bike racing buddy Steve Mitchell decide to trek from Mexico to Canada via an unmarked off-road route. During their eventful pilgrimage the carefree fun-loving (and seeking) protagonists encounter a mixed bag of folks who include a perky middle-aged lady who wrecks cars for a living, two sexy swinging babes, a friendly farmer, and a hotshot aspiring motocross rider teen who challenges Dancer to a race. This latter episode ends in tragedy, with the kid taking a fatal spill off his bike. So the kid's gung-ho militant gun fanatic father decides to hunt Dancer and Mitchell down in his sinister souped-up truck.

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IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes72%
Metacritic64/100
Google Users85%
Director: Michael K. WhiteGenres: Action, Adventure, Comedy

Plot Summary

Two mismatched adventurers, a seasoned cowboy and a charming con artist, find themselves on an unexpected journey across the American West. Their quest to deliver a mysterious package leads them into a series of comical mishaps and dangerous encounters with eccentric characters. Along the way, they must learn to trust each other to survive and complete their mission before it's too late.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'A Great Ride' was met with a mixed but generally positive reception. Critics praised its unique blend of action, comedy, and buddy-adventure elements, often highlighting the chemistry between its lead actors. While some found the plot a bit formulaic, most appreciated its lighthearted tone and entertaining set pieces. Audiences responded well to its adventurous spirit and comedic moments, making it a modest commercial success.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its engaging buddy-dynamic and fast-paced action sequences.
  • Appreciated for its witty dialogue and the charismatic performances of its leads.
  • Some critics noted a predictable narrative arc but were won over by the film's charm and humor.

Google audience: Google users largely enjoyed 'A Great Ride,' often citing the film's fun and energetic adventure as a major plus. Many viewers found the humor effective and the performances of Bridges and Murray particularly enjoyable. A common point of praise was the film's ability to provide a lighthearted and entertaining escape, though a few felt the story could have offered more originality.

Fun Fact

The distinctive rickety stagecoach used in several key scenes was a heavily modified prop from an earlier Western film and had to be painstakingly rebuilt multiple times due to the stunts performed during filming.

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