Grant, played by Jon Cryer, leads his two friends on an expedition to seek out a new life in the great land of California. These punk rockers from the Big Apple get more than they bargain for after they encounter a gang of thieves that leaves them rattled and member short. Grant and his friend Biscuit, played by Daniel Roebuck, have to channel their inner cowboys to avenge their friend. “Dudes” isn’t your typical rodeo, so grab your stir-ups and hold on for one bumpy ride.
This isn’t your old fashion western. Clint Eastwood isn’t around to take care of the bad guys and John Wayne doesn’t ride in to save the day. “Dudes” isn’t your typical western classic. A group of friends all the way from New York decide the Big Apple has nothing left to offer, so they pack all their belongings into a Volkswagen and head west for a new life. This band of misfits who’s led by their eccentric leader Grant, played by Jon Cryer, and his two friends Biscuit, played by Daniel Roebuck, and Milo, played by Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, embark on this cross country quest to the land of opportunity; California. This group of punk rockers isn’t familiar with the territory and wind up lost in the middle of the desert. After pulling over to camp for the night, this life-changing trip takes a turn for the worse when a group of outlaws surrounds the punk rockers. Lead by their notorious leader Missoula, played by Lee Ving, Grant and his friends are in for a rude welcome to the West.
Missoula and his gang of thieves hold the punk rockers from New York at gunpoint while they loot their car, steal all their money, and even take the clothes of their backs. Grant, Biscuit and Milo try and escape, only to get separated from each other and Milo being captured by Missoula and company. Unfortunately for Milo, a bullet to the head ends his cross-country trip and drives Grant and Biscuit to seek revenge for their friend’s untimely demise. This unlikely trio is now down to two, with no money, no experience in the desert and out of options. After meeting a woman named Jessie at a gas station, she teaches Grant the ways of a cowboy. Grant learns how to ride a horse and how to properly shoot a gun. Biscuit falls into a deep sleep and is visited by his Native American spirits, which empowers him to become an expert tracker and help his friend track down the evil Missoula. After a day of training and finding their inner warrior, and of course with the help from an Elvis impersonator, Grant and Biscuit have what they need to exact their revenge on Missoula.
My overall impression of this film is actually pretty good. It’s not something I would typically watch, but I actually enjoyed this movie. This group of punk rocker friends never leaves you with a dull moment. They provide excellent comedic relief throughout the entire movie. Even when times are hard, Grant and Biscuit, (what a classic nickname), always find a way to endure and prevail in any situation.
“Dudes” is unlike any western I have ever seen. Although you have your basic western themes, the murderous outlaw, the good guy cowboys, and the pretty girl, “Dudes” is far from your typical western classic. If you’re a fan of rock n’ roll music, then you’ll thoroughly enjoy the sound track to this movie. Dudes include hits like “Urban Struggle,” “Yard Dogs,” and “Show no Mercy,” just to name a few. The director, Penelope Spheeris is often referred to as a rock n’ roll anthropologist, which is extremely apparent in this film. Spheeris is also known for her work with the video for “Bohemian Rhapsody” as well as the film “The Boys Next Door,” starring the one and only, Charlie Sheen.
Overall, I enjoyed the movie and its corky nature. The unsung hero’s and this killer soundtrack made for an enjoyable watch. I would recommend this movie to people who enjoy the rock n’ roll era and have an open mind.
DVD Blu-Ray
Dudes is now out via Blu-Ray and as a Shout Select, meaning it should be in everyone’s DVD collection. It was produced in 1080p High-Definition Widescreen for maximum viewing pleasure. The DVD package also includes a few special featurettes. The DVD includes new interviews with director Penelope Spheeris, writer J. Randall Jahnson, producer Miguel Tejada-Flores, and interviews with the original trio themselves, cast members Jon Cryer, Daniel Roebuck, and Flea. The special features also include the theatrical trailer of Dudes, as well as an inside look at the making of the movie as well as a still gallery from the actual filming.
