The underground motorcycle drag-racing scene in Southern California is probably no stupider (apart from the danger level) than pro football or basketball. It’s a foreign activity to most of us, however, so the task of a filmmaker who’s trying to make us feel the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat is that much harder. Director Reggie Rock Bythewood isn’t up to it, and Biker Boyz is more Sly Stallone’s arm-wrestling epic Over the Top than Hoosiers.

After his motorcycle-mechanic father dies in an accident, Kid (Derek Luke), a brash 18-year-old, sets out to become the circuit’s "King of Cali." The title is currently held by Smoke (Laurence Fishburne), who at his mature age is the Fonzie of the scene. The hip-hop and soul music in Biker Boyz is good, and Bythewood keeps the movie going at a nice music-video clip. But the action sequences are virtually all the same, and actually confusing (often you can’t tell who’s under those helmets). Add too many characters and conflicts and the film quickly spins out of control. Orlando Jones, Kid Rock, Larenz Tate, Tyson Beckford, and a lot of cleavage also star. (90 minutes)