Torque (film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Joseph Kahn (director), Matt Johnson (screenwriter), Neal H. Moritz (producer) |
| Products | Action film |
Torque is a 2004 American action film marking the feature directorial debut of Joseph Kahn, with a screenplay by Matt Johnson and production overseen by Neal H. Moritz. The cast includes Martin Henderson, Ice Cube, Monet Mazur, Adam Scott, Matt Schulze, Jaime Pressly, and Jay Hernandez. The narrative follows motorcyclist Cary Ford, who inadvertently becomes involved in transporting motorcycles loaded with crystal meth. When gangster Henry James attempts to reclaim the drugs, he frames Ford for the murder of a rival biker gang member. Consequently, Ford must evade both the FBI and multiple motorcycle gangs while striving to prove his innocence.
Torque premiered in U.S. theaters on January 16, 2004, but failed to achieve significant commercial success, earning $46.5 million globally against a production budget of $40 million. Reviews were largely mixed to unfavorable, with particular criticism directed at the script and direction; however, its action scenes garnered commendation. The film received multiple Taurus Award nominations recognizing its stunt performances.
Plot
Motorcyclist Cary Ford stops at a diner owned by his former girlfriend Shane. Later, he meets up with friends Dalton and Val. En route to a motorcycle gathering, they encounter the Reapers gang, led by Trey and his brother Junior.
At the event, Ford reunites with Shane, who expresses her frustration over their past separation. The Hellions gang arrives, headed by Henry James accompanied by his girlfriend China and lieutenant Luther. Henry demands that Ford return stolen motorcycles carrying crystal meth before sunset.
That evening at a biker nightclub, conflict escalates into a violent fight. Junior apologizes to Henry for a botched drug transaction but is subsequently killed by Henry. Ford, Shane, Dalton, and Val spend the night at a motel.
FBI agents Tehya Henderson and Jay McPherson assure Trey they will identify Junior’s murderer. China falsely accuses Ford of the killing, prompting Trey to seek vengeance.
Ford and his group flee as the Reapers chase them through wooded terrain. Near train tracks during the pursuit, Ford rescues Trey from an accident and lends him a motorcycle before they separate. The group takes refuge in a cave overnight.
Ford contacts the FBI to assert his innocence; agent Henderson believes him while McPherson remains skeptical. The following day features a dramatic escape from a police checkpoint involving a high-speed vehicle chase with FBI agents and Trey in pursuit.
Ford confronts Trey and exposes Henry’s deception framing them both. They decide to collaborate and schedule a meeting with FBI agents at Shane’s garage.
During the rendezvous, McPherson reveals himself as Henry’s informant by shooting Henderson. Henry arrives with accomplices holding Dalton and Val captive along with Shane as a hostage. A violent altercation breaks out; Trey kills Luther while Ford manages to free Shane. Wearing a bulletproof vest, Henderson survives and triggers an explosion that kills McPherson.
Outside, Shane kills China during a confrontation.
Ford chases Henry in an intense motorcycle pursuit that culminates in both their bikes exploding; Henry dies while Ford survives. Shane rescues Ford, and they reunite with their friends at the garage. Henderson remains alive but injured.
Ford and Shane reconcile and make plans for a vacation with their friends as they ride off into the desert together.
Cast
- Martin Henderson portrays Cary Ford, a biker wrongfully accused of murder
- Ice Cube plays Trey Wallace, the head of The Reapers who initially despises Ford for implicating his brother but later teams up with him
- Monet Mazur appears as Shane, Ford’s longtime partner
- Adam Scott is FBI Agent Jay McPherson
- Matt Schulze takes on the role of Henry James, leader of the outlaw motorcycle gang The Hellions and the film’s villain who orchestrates Ford’s framing
- Jay Hernandez features as Dalton, Ford’s Hispanic-American companion
- Will Yun Lee acts as Val, Ford’s Korean-American ally
- Jaime Pressly portrays China, Henry James’ girlfriend
- Max Beesley plays Luther, The Hellions’ second-in-command
- Christina Milian is Nina, Val’s new romantic interest and Ford’s recent acquaintance
- Faizon Love appears as Sonny, a member of The Reapers who drives a black Ford Excursion
- Fredro Starr takes the role of Junior Wallace, Trey’s younger brother who was murdered
- Justina Machado is FBI Agent Tehya Henderson, McPherson’s partner
- Hayden Mcfarland plays Kho
- John Ashker is the Yellow Acura RSX driver involved in a street race against Ford
- Lance Gilbert portrays the 18 Wheeler driver
Cameos
The hard rock group Monster Magnet performs "Master of Light" in a nightclub scene. Comedian Dane Cook makes a brief appearance as a tourist who encounters Henry. Jesse James, known from West Coast Choppers and Monster Garage, appears during a conversation between Ford and Shane; two of his custom choppers are shown storing Henry James’ drugs. Director Joseph Kahn makes a short appearance amid a train chase sequence. Stuntman-turned-director Scott Waugh cameoed as the driver of the red Mitsubishi Eclipse. The iconic Peterbilt 281 truck from the film Duel is also featured.
Soundtrack
The film’s original music score was composed by Trevor Rabin.
Similarities to The Fast and the Furious (2001)
Often referred to as "The Fast and the Furious on Motorcycles," this film shares many thematic elements with the 2001 hit. Director Joseph Kahn described it as a "piss take" on the Fast & Furious franchise, despite both movies being produced by Neal H. Moritz. It is notable that Torque was produced under the Warner Bros banner, whereas The Fast and the Furious was released by Universal.
Torque directly nods to The Fast and the Furious, including a line originally spoken by Vin Diesel—"I live my life a quarter-mile at a time"—which is then dismissed by Shane (Monet Mazur) as "the dumbest thing I have ever heard."
Matt Schulze, who portrays antagonist Henry James in Torque, also appeared as Vince in The Fast and the Furious series, reprising this role in Fast Five, which transitioned from street racing themes to action heist narratives.
The opening sequence features a quarter-mile street race between a Mitsubishi Eclipse and an Acura RSX, with protagonist Cary Ford winning on his Aprilia RSV motorcycle. A road sign spinning past Ford reads "cars suck," underscoring the film’s focus on motorcycles.
Box office
Torque opened at number four in the U.S. box office rankings, generating $9.97 million during its initial weekend. The film ultimately earned $21.2 million domestically and accumulated a global total of $46.5 million, with a production budget estimated around $40 million.
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds an approval rating of 22%, while Metacritic assigns it a score of 41, indicating mixed critical reactions.
Kevin Thomas from the L.A. Times commended the film as "an excellent action movie" that delivers "stylish and straightforward entertainment." Jeremy Wheeler of AllMovie awarded it 3 out of 5 stars, characterizing it as "an adrenaline rush" packed with exaggerated thrills that cater to aficionados of intense action sequences.
Following its release, Torque has gained a dedicated cult audience among sports motorcycle riders and fans of racing cinema, admired for its rapid tempo, sleek action scenes, and elaborate stunt work.
Awards
At the World Stunt Awards, Torque earned nominations for Best Specialty Stunt as well as Best Overall Stunt performed by a stuntman.
Home media
The film became available on DVD and VHS on May 18, 2004, with a subsequent Blu-ray edition released on April 22, 2014.
External links
- Torque at the Internet Movie Cars Database