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One Hell of A
Ride A Review by |
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Just when you thought Vigilante had fallen off the face of the Earth, I manage to show
signs of life by bringing Gyeah.com an early look at the suspense film "Joy
Ride". Seeing as how this was the one of the three films that interested me in
this sad fall line-up ("Jeepers Creepers" & "Training Day" the
others)..."Joy Ride" had quite a bit to live up to. Thank goodness for me...it
definitely delivered. It's a summer break and college freshman Lewis Thomas (Walker) has decided to embark on a cross-country road trip to pick up the girl of his dreams, Venna (Sobieski). But Lewis' romantic hopes hit a detour when he stops on the way to rescue his older brother, Fuller (Zahn), who goads him into playing a practical joke on a lonely trucker, over a CB radio. Now, that trucker, an unseen and terrifying force known only by his CB handle, Rusty Nail, wants the last laugh... and revenge." This movie was originally to be released in 2000 under the title "Squelch"..but after many delays (One coming because Sobieski's "Glass House" was too close to the release of this film) "Joy Ride" finally gets its day. And its about damn time. Age must've done this film wonders, cause it is one intense suspense thriller. Talk about weird pairings, but Steve Zahn and Paul Walker is not a duo that would've immediately popped into my head. But, kudos to the casting director, the older/younger bro scenario goes off without a hitch. They do some good work together, and both balance between comedy and seriousness very well. Walker and Zahn setting up the start of the film get the wheels turning. I play with my bro/friends the way these to do, and we do a lot of dumb shit. But if playing jokes on people get what these got in return...I would be as funny as Chris Rock in "Lethal Weapon 4". The suspense in this film is top-notch. Its not scary in a horror way, but it keeps you on the edge of your seat, because every character is equally important (all their names are billed) so you don't know who/if anyone really could have their life ended. There are a couple of minor qualms I have with this film, but that's more because I'm a nit picker and avid movie goer than actual fault within the film. There is one or two things in the film that are routine. Seeing as how that doesn't occur often, the little things are overlooked. Plus the way they are done are so bad ass. Second, the use of the CB and sometimes telephone play homage to "Scream" in a way. However, "Scream" was a cheesy teen horror film and "Joy Ride" is a well done suspense flick. The phone/Cb is where the similarities end. Last problem with this movie is the very end. Its one hell of a ride, and then (like rollercoasters) you get that little jipped ending in the end where you feel a little empty. "Joy Ride" uses the odd pairing of Zahn and
Walker to its advantage and creates an intense suspense thriller that can be enjoyed by
both the teen audience as well as the grown ups. This film and "Jeepers
Creepers" have given Vigilante new hope for the horror and suspense genres. Of
course....Halloween part 78 drops soon to obliterate it all. Rating: |
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