Wild Hogs 2007. Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Color, Aspect Ratio 2.35 : 1, 100 minutes, Rated PG-13 Release Date: March 2, 2007 Wild Hogs is available at Amazon.com on DVD and Blu-ray. Movie Synopsis: Four middle-aged men on a motorcycle trip through the New Mexico desert find camaraderie and self discovery through their many unexpected adventures. ~Aimee Cast: Tim Allen, John Travolta, William H. Macy, Martin Lawrence, Ray Liotta, Marisa Tomei Director: Walt Becker Thoughts on the Movie: Ok, so this movie is complete, if somewhat confusing, fluff. I say confusing because, though it is a mid-life crisis road trip movie, it appears to be aimed at the toilet humor set. Seems an odd contradiction to me. Being a Disney production, it is meant to appeal to the entire family, but to me it seems a bit incongruous. That said, there are some very funny and even charming moments in Wild Hogs, and the guys actually learn a few things about themselves along the way. And what a way it is! Some truly beautiful New Mexico vistas play as big a role in this movie as the bevy of “A List” actors and comedians who populate it. Breathtaking high desert expanses highlight just how perfect New Mexico is for biking. The featured location, Madrid, is a favored day trip from Santa Fe: a sleepy little town of artists, iconoclasts, and the just plain eccentric. I haven’t been there in quite a few years now, so I enjoyed the cinematic visit, though I have to say, it looks quite a bit different from the Madrid I remember. Look for an odd continuity problem in this movie: somehow, they managed to place the Taos Gorge somewhere between Cincinnati and Missouri. ~Aimee Location Site: Madrid, New Mexico (see Map) The small village of Madrid was a major location for Wild Hogs. Disney came in and temporarily transformed some parts of the community for the film shoot. Right: Madrid, New Mexico, is a charming old-mining-town-turned-village on Highway 14 (also known as the Turquoise Trail). “Maggie’s Diner” was built in Madrid for the film, but the producers were asked to leave the building standing when filming was complete. It’s being (or has been at this writing) renovated and brought up to code to become a real diner. An old-fashioned gas station was created by bringing in collectible gas pumps provided by a fellow from Taos. The pumps were placed in front of one of the actual pitched-roof houses along the main road. About Madrid, New Mexico: Madrid, New Mexico (population 149, elevation 6,020 feet; 35° 24’ 21” N, 106° 9’ 16” W) is located about 20 miles south of Santa Fe on Highway 14. Today, Madrid (pronounced mad-rid) has become an artists community with galleries lining its main thoroughfare on the “Turquoise Trail.” Yet, it still has remnants of its origins of the 1850s, with the Mineshaft Tavern and the Coal Mine Museum. Madrid is a popular tourist attraction in Northern New Mexico due to its proximity to Santa Fe and its own “art colony” and “southwestern hippie community” charm. When visiting, plan to spend a half-day strolling through this lovely little village. Lodging & Dining: For Recommended Hotels, Motels and Lodges in the Santa Fe area, see: Santa Fe Lodging Right: “Maggie’s Diner” was built in Madrid by the Disney studio, specifically for the movie “Wild Hogs.” Filming Info: Although the guys are portrayed as being suburbanites-turned-bikers from Cincinnati, Ohio, none of the filming in the movie actually took place in Cincinnati. For example, in the early scene where Dudley loses control of his bike after parking, it is obvious from the distinctive road signs that they are filming in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. Movie Trivia: • The original script and logo line featured the notorious Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang, but it was later changed to the Del Fuegos after the famous bikers club sued Disney. • A sequel was planned, but was scrapped due to the critical and commercial failure of Old Dogs (2009), also directed by Walt Becker. • “Hog” is the trading symbol of Harley-Davidson, Inc. on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Right: Three of the stars of “Wild Hogs,” on location in Madrid, New Mexico. Left to right: Martin Lawrence, Tim Allen and John Travolta. Character Quote: “Come on, guys, we’re exhausted. I think we should take the bikes back to the hotel, put them in a shed with the doors closed, and then play Scrabble in the room with the shades down.” ~Woody Stevens (John Travolta)