Torque (film)
A biker framed for murder races to clear his name.
Torque is a 2004 American action film directed by Joseph Kahn in his feature film directorial debut, starring Martin Henderson as a biker framed for murder. The film underperformed at the box office and received mixed-to-negative reviews, though its action sequences were praised and it earned several Taurus Award nominations for stunts.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Joseph Kahn
- Producer
- Brad Luff; Neal H. Moritz
- Writer
- Matt Johnson
- Starring
- Martin Henderson
- Ice Cube
- Monet Mazur
- Adam Scott
- Matt Schulze
- Jaime Pressly
- Jay Hernandez
- Music
- Trevor Rabin
- Cinematography
- Peter Levy
- Editing
- David Blackburn; Howard E. Smith
- Studio
- Village Roadshow Pictures; Original Film
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Biker Cary Ford stops at a diner owned by his ex-girlfriend Shane. Later, he meets his friends Dalton and Val. En route to a motorcycle party, they encounter the Reapers, a biker gang led by Trey and his brother Junior, who scuffle with Ford. At the party, the Hellions arrive, led by Henry James. Henry is irate that Ford stole his bikes, which contain crystal meth, and gives him an ultimatum to return them by sundown. That night, the three gangs cause a brawl at a nightclub. Junior, scared, apologizes to Henry for a botched drug deal, but Henry kills him. FBI agents Tehya Henderson and Jay McPherson assure Trey they will find Junior's killer. China falsely witnesses that Ford killed Junior, and Trey swears revenge. Ford, Shane, Dalton, and Val hit the road. The Reapers chase them into a forest. Ford tells his friends to split up, leading the chase near a passenger train. Ford saves Trey from the train tracks and gives him his own bike to escape. The group hides in a cave. Ford calls the FBI, but McPherson does not believe him. The next morning, they hitch a ride in a truck, but at a police checkpoint, Ford and Shane bust out in a race car while the others ride bikes, leading the FBI and Trey onto a highway.
Cast
Martin Henderson plays Cary Ford, a biker framed for murder. Ice Cube portrays Trey Wallace, leader of the Reapers, who initially hates Ford but later becomes an ally. Monet Mazur plays Shane, Ford's longtime girlfriend. Adam Scott is FBI Agent Jay McPherson. Matt Schulze plays Henry James, leader of the Hellions and the film's antagonist. Jay Hernandez plays Dalton, Ford's Hispanic-American friend. Will Yun Lee plays Val, Ford's Korean-American friend. Jaime Pressly plays China, Henry's girlfriend. Max Beesley plays Luther, Henry's second-in-command. Christina Milian plays Nina, Val's new fling. Faizon Love plays Sonny, a Reaper member. Fredro Starr plays Junior Wallace, Trey's murdered brother. Justina Machado plays FBI Agent Tehya Henderson. The hard rock band Monster Magnet appears in the nightclub. Dane Cook and Jesse James make cameo appearances. Director Joseph Kahn appears as a passenger during a train chase.
Production
The original score was composed by Trevor Rabin. The film has been called 'The Fast and the Furious on Motorcycles,' referencing shared thematic elements, though Torque was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures while The Fast and the Furious was by Universal. Director Joseph Kahn intended Torque as a 'piss take' version of the Fast & Furious franchise. The film directly references The Fast and the Furious when Henderson's character Ford borrows Vin Diesel's line, 'I live my life a quarter-mile at a time,' to which Shane replies, 'That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard.' Matt Schulze, who plays Henry James, also appeared in The Fast and the Furious as Vince. The film shows a street race between a Mitsubishi Eclipse and an Acura RSX, which Ford beats on his motorcycle. When Ford rides past a road sign, it spins and reads 'cars suck'.
Release
Torque debuted in fourth place at the U.S. box office, pulling in nearly $10 million during its first weekend. With a $40 million budget, it earned about $21 million domestically and over $46 million worldwide. The L.A. Times' Kevin Thomas praised it as stylish, unpretentious fun, while AllMovie's Jeremy Wheeler gave it three stars, calling it an over-the-top adrenaline rush. The film later developed a cult following among motorcycle racers and action movie fans, who appreciate its fast pace and wild stunts. It earned nominations for several World Stunt Awards, including Best Specialty Stunt and Best Overall Stunt by a Stunt Man. Torque hit DVD and VHS in May 2004, with a Blu-ray release arriving in April 2014.
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