Customer Reviews

Rad [VHS]

5 star:		(125)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

RAD is the ultimate BMX movie. It is a movie about the underdog struggling to get to the top, or in Cru Jones case, the ability to prove himself. The action on bicycles in this movie started a freestyle frenzy all over the world. Guy's like Eddie Fiola and Martin Aparijo played a significant part in the film. When I first saw this movie I begged my parents to buy me a freestyle bike to do the tricks I saw in the film, that was in 86 and I still consider BMX to be an important part of my life, thanks to this film. Bmx did not fade out, look at DAve Mirra, if anything it has certainly grew. This movie is hard to find and it is something I treasure very much. I strongly encourage you to express your interest in this film and the release of it on DVD.

Basically, classics like Rad- The Goonies, The North Shore, Breakin', Star Wars, Return of the Dragon, etc. should go down in history as some of Hollywood's best work. Out of this illustrious group, Rad in particular has etched an idelible place in my heart. There is nothing more beautiful than watching Crew deliver the paper, spin 360s out of backyard pools, ...disco dance on his bike and take down hell track. It just makes me sad that I'm relegated to watching this cinematic masterpiece from a dilapidated VHS tape that's been 'fixed' a few too many times.

I also find it disheartening that the vast majority of kids born after 1980 don't even know what Rad is- unless they've had a really cool older brother/sister showing them what's up. And by the way, ignorance is no excuse...such a shame.

It's time for those with a keen eye for the cinematic aesthetic and way too much time on our hands to stand up, remove the matresses from the ramp and demand Rad be saved for those less fortunate than us...Rad is a dope movie that I wish everybody could watch- and don't even get me started about the soundtrack. Try tracking down a copy of Rad and protect it with your life...

Seriously, it's a real shame that this movie has never been released on DVD. I would purchase it in an instant. Rad rocked!

This movie opened up a whole new world to me as a kid. I love Watching It to see all the old bikes and riders I once knew of as a teen. Those were good times. The childhood memory will stay with me always.

I've owned this movie on VHS since I was young, and have watched it over a hundred times, at least. This movie is one of the most amazing films to come out of the 80's . . . It's got drama, comedy (See, Tim here races for Coke!), phatty BMX racing, and a killer soundtrack. And a young Lori Loughlin, not to mention a more seasoned Talia Shire as Cru's mom. One of my most prized possessions, and one of my favorite movies of all time, RAD is a definite "must-see."

I bought the VHS RAD not too long ago and I had to pay a little more then I wanted but it was well worth it for my childhood favorite movie. I would watch that movie over and over again with my friends when I was a kid. They need to put it out on DVD, every month I look for it to be out on DVD and every month I am disappointed. I don't think they would have a problem selling it on DVD because everyone remebers the bike dancing scene. The movie is a classic!!! The VHS is great but I want a DVD, I am sure the VHS could be copy to CD but that would not do it justice it deserves to be re-released and digitaly enhanced and such by the studio. Look at all the other crap release on DVD. It is just is not fair to let a classic movie like RAD fade away.

I was able to find a `Rad' DVD online, which I'm fairly certain is a pirated copy (subtle hints, such as the DVD itself still saying `Maxell'). Fortunately, I am not a DVD collector by any means. Unfortunately, it is not possible to rent this gem of a film anywhere.

As a veteran BMXer and a thirty-something who still enjoys doing very stupid things on bikes, I absolutely love this movie. I'm pretty sure some of my older and more faded scars are a direct result of attempting to emulate the great Cru Jones, a feat that was impossible for me at age 12, and will be at this age as well. The refreshing thing is that back when `Rad' was made, moviegoers were less concerned about how much a production company might be sued for. They did not need to show that Cru wore a helmet, in fact, while learning to back flip (incorrectly called `Airwalk' by a young and ever so compelling Lori Laughlin), we see Cru wearing a hockey goalie mask. My fellow freeriders (a style of mountain biking) can attest to the fact that this would be pure suicide. Law suits? None that I remember.

So that is what makes `Rad' so rad? A 90 minute trip back to slightly simpler time. A day when surfing was done with a board and not a computer. A time when computers were more about tic-tac-toe (and thermal global nuclear war) than about work. A time when kids could truly believe they had a shot at winning the big race. A time when kids were more interested in winning the big race than they were in landing a dream-sponsorship. A time when violence was not needed to compensate for a worthless plot. Best yet, a time when a girl like Lori Laughlin could be wooed by the sharing of an ice cream cone. Remember, she wouldn't be able to call you until she got home or came across a payphone.

I suppose this has become more of a rant than a review, but the feeling of being a kid again is more what `Rad' is about than a cheesy storyline and some impressive (even by today's standards) biking. In the interest of review, I should make note that the movie scores EXTREMELY low on the 80's cheese factor, especially for a sports movie. No montage, no evil jock named `Stalin', very little in the way of the hero's internal struggle with (un)popularity. Ok, maybe the Mongoose team's choreographed yet impromptu dance routine (especially with twin men in matching sleeveless suits) was a bit much. Point is, the movie itself is good; you'll spend (a LOT) more time reminiscing and enjoying the story than you will laughing at bright shoelaces and parachute pants.

Whether you are a child of the 80's or a child now, `Rad' will make you smile. Just don't try too hard to learn the freestyle tricks from the movie. I doubt the producer/distributor could be held liable for your injuries 25 years after the fact.

When I was 13 years old I would watch RAD and wish for a chance to be one of Cru Jones' friends, riding around the neighborhood, jumping fences and trying tricks. Everytime I hear "send me an angel" It brings back the whole movie, this movie is one of my favorites of all time. Once in a great while you watch a movie that does something to you, it has an atmosphere, a style, whatever it is, but you want to experience it, and live it, movies like RAD and The Lost Boys come to mind. I haven't watched a movie like that in a long time, probably since 1989. Today there are good movies, epic tales, great cinematography, big name actors, but none of that holds a candle to RAD, I love the movie, I love the actors, I love the music, its a complete movie, and It's a shame that its not on DVD. Im 23 now and its been a long time since I watched, Im looking for a copy now, when I find it, Im sure it will take me back to a very cool time in my life.

What this movie does to me I can not explain. Whether it be the almost 80's soundtrack or the amazing BMX mastership of Crew Jones or maybe the tight body of Bart Taylor, I can not even begin to describe the amazing power of RAD. This movie is great for some many different reasons. Like the time when Crew and his babe go ... sliding...I almost jerked a tear. Or how about when we see the dramatic scene with Crew all by himself in his little hideout near the lumber yard. I really felt the pain he was going through. Or how about qualifying for Hell Track? Those series of races in combination with the radical music really inspired me to get a BMX bike. That brings up the only complaint that I have... WHY IN ... TRACK ISNT THE SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLE. How is it possible?! It has to be a crime. I would love nothing more than to ride my bike and listen to the tunes of RAD. They really pump me up you know. Anyway, there is only one RAD and you should watch it over and over and over if you are really cool like homestarrunner.com.

I remember seeing Rad in the theaters and then renting it almost every week when it came out on video. Cru Jones is the ultimate normal guy turns hero and Bart Taylor is the pretty-boy villian--classic 80's tale of good vs. evil. Rad is the best BMX movie in history and has a great supporting cast--Lori Loughlin (Full House), Ray Walston (Fast Times at Ridgemont High), and Talia Shire (Godfather, Rocky). I was lucky enough to buy a copy of Rad from a video store, but this film NEEDS a high quality DVD release. Please release this movie on DVD, I will personally buy 10 copies!