Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Rad 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 12, 2020

(The following review is for the Blu-ray release of "Rad," not the 4K version)

It was a box office bomb during its initial theatrical release in 1986, but something has happened to “Rad” over the decades. The movie hit right when BMX culture was growing and landed on VHS when rentals were all the rage, soon becoming a cable staple, developing its cult appeal. Due to many reasons, “Rad” hasn’t been available on disc until now, with the feature suddenly cleaned up and reissued to a rabid fan base that’s been waiting a long time to see the endeavor in near-pristine condition. It’s a glorious development for a picture that’s often ridiculous but always fun to watch, especially when it bathes in a time period that treasured the coolness of dancing bikes and primal emotions from teenage characters.

“Rad” follows the exploits of Cru Jones (Bill Allen), a small-town teen looking to avoid college and participate in Helltrack, a BMX race that’s set up shop nearby. He’s infatuated with visitor Christian (Lori Loughlin), wary of champ Bart (Bart Conner), and tempted by bike tycoon Duke (Jack Weston), while his mother (Talia Shire), worries about his future.

The dramatic ingredients couldn’t be simpler for “Rad,” with co-writers Sam Bernard and Geoffrey Edwards keeping Cru an earnest paperboy with a big bike dream, with the lure of Helltrack viewed as his ticket to the next level of competition. Not everything is tidy in the movie, finding Cru focused on a high school classmate before jumping ship to Christian in a hurry, and director Hal Needham has a peculiar way of celebrating their developing romance, keeping the pair wet, including a scene where the couple goes “ass sliding” into frigid waters. Ahh, young, immediate love.

BMX racing is really where “Rad” excels as entertainment, and while the writing gets bogged down with issues concerning Cru’s conflict with his mother and sponsorship panic, Needham gets the effort back up and running with race sequences. Highlighting strong stunt work and trick riding, the sporting aspect of “Rad,” including Helltrack, is exciting, capturing suspenseful pursuits and elements of mischief. Better is the showier stuff, displayed in a mid-movie “bicycle boogie” number where Cru and Christian wow onlookers with slo-mo feats of balletic grace on their bikes, with the best possible use of Real Life’s “Send Me an Angel” backing them up. It’s such a goofy moment, but perfectly so, delivered with full sincerity from Needham.

Rad 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation marks the big disc debut for "Rad," which was caught in rights purgatory for decades, never ever showing up on DVD. A new 4K scan has been created for the movie, bringing it to HD life with tremendous film-like texture, offering heavier grain and excellent detail throughout. BMX particulars are distinct, with bikes and gear displayed in full, along with costuming in general, which retains fibrous qualities. Facial surfaces are consistent, highlighting varying ages. Small town life is dimensional, as are Helltrack sequences, with all the riders and obstacles in view. Colors are lush, with deep reds on Rad Racer clothing. Period hues are balanced, enjoying bright yellows and blues. Skintones are natural. Delineation runs into a few moments of solidification during evening events. Source is in strong shape, with some mild speckling, and the "bicycle boogie" sequence offers a few jumpy frames inherent to the original cinematography.

Rad 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

A 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix is the default selection for the "Rad" disc, and it's a loud, clear listening event. Dialogue exchanges are crisp, preserving performances as they range from cartoon broadness to more subtle emotionality. Nothing is lost with group activity as well. Surrounds offer compelling atmospherics, doing well with crowd reactions during the race sequences, and room tone is appealing. Low-end isn't challenged. Scoring enjoys sharp instrumentation, but soundtrack selections are a bit stranger. For the two John Farnham tunes, vocals are isolated in the center channel, creating a "sound booth" experience for the songs, separating the voice from the music. Other soundtrack selections dial down the divide, retaining a more natural blend of elements. The 2.0 Dolby Digital mix, while not built for bigness, does a better job with musical consistency and balance.

Rad 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary #1 features actress/producer Talia Shire and producer Robert Schwartzman.

• Commentary #2 features actor Bill Allen.

• Commentary #3 features actors Bill Allen and Bart Conner, writer Sam Bernard, and BMX riders Eddie Fiola, Martin Aparijo, Jose Yanez, and Jeremy Moser.

• "The Stuntman Directs" (15:57, HD) is an interview except from a forthcoming "Rad" documentary, discussing the feature with the late Hal Needham. The interviewee shares his personal history, enduring years in the military before moving to Los Angeles, creating a career for himself as a stuntman, eventually becoming the highest paid fall guy in the business. A friendship with Burt Reynolds brought him the chance to direct "Smokey and the Bandit," and his initial reaction to "Rad" was one of skepticism, newly inspired to create a picture that would be a "step forward for BMX." Canadian locations are recalled, with the construction and literal drying of Helltrack a problem for the crew. Casting achievements are shared, including the collection of stunt riders. Needham also details the concrete slide shot and the "bicycle boogie" sequence. And, with a great degree of pride, he charts the growing popularity of the movie, happy to be known for two classics: "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Rad."

• "Writing Something Rad" (16:43, HD) sits down with co-writer Sam Bernard, who shares his Hollywood ambitions, making a name for himself with "3:15." Bernard charts his relationship with "Smokey and the Bandit" producer Robert Levy, and his discovery of BMX, eventually inspiring the screenplay for "Rad." The interviewee shares anecdotes about meeting Needham (who only knew cars, not bikes) and producer Jack Schwartzman, who wanted something more PG in mind for the project. Bernard gets semi-candid when exploring the movie's weak marketing push, which couldn't entice teens to see the feature, and the long disc delay of "Rad," suggesting rights issues, not bad guys, actually prevented the film from being released on DVD back in the heyday of the format.

• "Rad 25" (9:17, HD) pays a visit to a 25th anniversary event in Cochran, Alberta, Canada in 2011, surveying autograph opportunities, displays of bike replicas, BMX races, location tours, BMX stunt demonstrations, and interviews with Bill Allen and Eddie Fiola.

• Cast & Crew Interviews (25:19, HD) provide time with Martin Aparijo, Bart Conner, Eddie Fiola, Jeremy Moser, and Sam Bernard. Most of the conversations explore memories of securing a job on the production, interacting with Needham, and embracing the enduring cult legacy of "Rad," with Moser starting a fan website years ago, only to see it grow far beyond his expectations. And Conner has amusing anecdotes about being recognized in public for his role in "Rad," not his Olympic triumphs.

• Archival Featurette (5:22, SD) is an EPK offering on the making of "Rad," including a brief history of the bicycle, BTS footage, cast and crew interviews, and film clips.

• Archival Interviews (11:01, SD) discuss "Rad" with Bart Conner, Lori Loughlin, Hal Needham, and Bill Allen.

• "Break the Ice" (3:50, SD) is a 1986 music video from John Farnham.

• Photo Gallery (3:45) collects BTS snaps and personal pictures from the "Rad" set.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:29, HD) is included.

Rad 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Rad" isn't particularly strong with storytelling, and Needham has never been a nuanced filmmaker, preferring his scenes thickly sliced for mass audience appreciation. There's nothing here that hasn't been explored in dozens, possibly hundreds of teen-centric movies, but the feature contains a special screen energy as it deals with races, flips, and broad villainy. It works today as time capsule entertainment, and everyone in the cast seems committed to the project in their own special ways. It's taken a long time to reach a disc release, but "Rad" is finally here, providing viewers with a cool reminder of better days when conflicts were settled with BMX showdowns and nothing brought two lovers closer together than an afternoon of ass sliding.