The fifth entry in Vivid's Rites series retains the usual high technical and production values and boasts a cast that can hold its own with any competition. The real stars are Michael Brawn and Bill crane, who give the tape its unity with well-written and well-delivered dialogue, first on the phone, then in the "Bent" workshop. Brawn is particularly impressive, with a sense of characterization and a sexual charisma that rivets the viewer's attention. His two sex scenes, a duo with Matt Windsor and a threeway with Crane and Sean Cannon, are high spots in the feature. The third sexual peak is the scene between Cannon and Alex Stone, which uses jockey shorts with a fetishistic flair equaled only in the climax of Williams Higgins' Route 69.

The best news about this feature is that Dennis is obviously developing a shrewder sense of structure to complement the intensity of his erotic vision. Rites of Spring still holds the edge both as a sexual fantasy and as a sexvid because of its consistent use of erotic suspense, but Rites of Manhood is a solid production from start to finish, marketed in lovely packaging.