Fad movies were probably the most prevalent in the 80s. I remember the time when the urban world of hip hop and breakdancing broke through to the mainstream and produced such fare as Breakin' and Beat Street, but what I recall most vividly was the short-lived "Extreme Sports" fad. Seeing as I was a pre-teen at the time and had dreams of becoming a champion skateboarder (despite the fact my lack of balance would cancel that ambition with my best 'boarding' experiences coming from "California Games" and "Skate or Die" on my Commodore 64 computer), you can see why stuff like Thrashin' was right up my alley. This brings me to Rad. One of a handful of BMX-themed teen films, and certainly notable for being directed by Hal Needham, a former stuntman turned director of such "good old boy" slapstick fare like Smokey and the Bandit and Cannonball Run, Rad is (well) rad.

Our opening credits show off various BMX tricks while a typically upbeat song plays in the background before we head to the small town of Cochrane and are introduced to Cru (Bill Allen). Wanting to qualify to compete against the pros in an event dubbed the "Helltrack", Cru tries to get permission from his mom (Talia Shire) but, seeing as the competition takes place the same day at the SATs, she doesn't agree.

Cru ignores this and goes anyway and ends up crossing paths with the snobby pro rider Bart (Bart Conner), sleazy promoter Duke (Jack Weston) who changes rules as it suits him so Cru can't get in, and Christian (Lori Loughlin) who is soon to fill the role as his love interest - and give us an awesome dance number at a school dance staged completely on BMX bikes!

Told he can't compete without a sponsor, Cru gets the support of local businessman Mr. Timmer (Ray Walston), starts his own team "Rad Racers", and sets out to defeat Bart and get back at Duke. This leads to a finale packed with BMX riding galore, veteran actor Walston flipping someone the bird, and a sort of "roll call" of riders awkwardly smiling and waving at the camera.

In the lead role, Allen is perfectly acceptable as our put-upon hero. He makes a decent leader to his group of rag-tag fellow BMX riding friends. Loughlin is cute enough in the "girlfriend" role and would go on to be best known for the terrible sitcom "Full House". This also marks the only significant film appearance of 1984 Olympian Conner and he certainly fares better than fellow gymnastic champ Kurt Thomas did in Gymkata. I'm still trying to figure out how veteran actors Shire, Walston, and Weston ended up here but they add some acting chops to the mix. However, the show is stolen by Laura Jacoby as Cru's sarcastic younger sister Wesley - it's the kind of scene stealing her brother Billy pulled off in Just One of the Guys a year prior.

Completely harmless, and completely dated, I'm pretty sure Rad will only appeal to those who grew up in the decade and were caught up in the skateboard/BMX mania of the time. The script by Sam Bernard and Geoffrey Edwards follows a linear, by-the-book structure making this not much more than the kind of flick you watch on a lazy afternoon or for pure nostalgia. That said, I love the shit out of Rad. It's a fun time, delivers a bunch of bike stunt sequences, has a good natured cast, and even contains some okay comedy. It may be a cash-in but, much like Thrashin', it's a cash-in I'm always entertained by when I watch it. (Chris Hartley, 10/1/12)

Directed By: Hal Needham.
Written By: Sam Bernard, Geoffrey Edwards.

Starring: Bill Allen, Lori Loughlin, Talia Shire, Ray Walston.