The Car
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Movie Reviews of The Car
Movie Review: 2.5 STARS: Before "Christine", there was "The Car"!
Summary: 3 Stars
When I was a kid, horror movies certainly felt different to me. Now, some things have changed, and some things have not. I still know garbage when I see it, but some things just do not have the same feel anymore either. Such is the case with "The Car". I suppose that's natural, but I still have somewhat of an affinity for this movie. When I was kid, I was scared of "The Car". It seems rather bland now, for sure, but back in the ole days....
"The Car" is about a mysterious car that kills people for no apparent reason whatsoever. In the same vein as "Duel" and "Christine", "The Car" comes across in a mysterious fashion in the sense that we do not know who is driving the car, and we do not know why the killings are taking place. Then again, does it matter? Isn't that the point? No motive makes it scarier that way and it's better theater. After all, when things get spoon-fed to us and explained to us, what's left for the imagination? Just take Rob Zombie's inferior "Halloween" remake for example. Who cares why Michael Myers acts the way he does? Who cares why he marked Laurie Strode for death? Does it make it better for us to know why? No, it just takes the horror right out of it when this happens. "The Car" does not have this problem, and even though it is confined by its own self-imposed limitations, it has a certain charm that allows the movie to work on some levels.
Indeed, "The Car" does a pretty good job of letting the imagination run wild, at least to a certain point. True, it doesn't take long for the savvy horror movie fan to figure things out, but there's often a kind of beauty in the simplicity of it all. I do not want to make out that "The Car" is some kind of superior horror movie because it's not. I'm sure as hell not drunk enough to give it five (5) stars. Yet, it stills has a certain identity that makes it worth watching. You could do far worse than watching "The Car" on a late Saturday night. The acting is okay, and the production values are good, but if for nothing than the nostalgia of it all, there is a reason that I like "The Car". Does it scare me now? Certainly not, but it takes itself seriously, and there is a certain degree of suspense and style which is about all you can ask for anymore when it comes to horror movies nowadays...hell, you can't even get that in today's horror movies.
In conclusion, I affectionately give "The Car" three (3) Stars although it probably deserves only two (2). Of all the automobiles run wild movies, I'd rank them as follows: (1) "Duel", (2) "Christine", (3) "The Car" and (4) "Maximum Overdrive". Still, with that being said, I'd rather watch "The Car" any day of the week than any of today's trash. I don't know what that says for today's movies, but it aint good, and I'm certainly not the only one. After all, any sophisticated and seasoned horror movie lover would undoubtedly echo my sentiments.
Movie Review: A highlight of seventies cheese.
Summary: 3 Stars
The Car (Elliot Silverstein, 1977)
Sharp, well-written horror flick from back in the days when a low-budget horror film could be made with a top-notch cast. While the movie faded into obscurity pretty fast after its release (I remember seeing it on network TV in '77), it deserves to be rediscovered by a new generation of indie horror fans.
On one end of the battlefield here we have the title character, a Satanically-possessed auto bent on causing destruction and mayhem in a small desert town. Arrayed against it are a number of townsfolk, led by Wade Parent (James Brolin), as well as a just-passing-through hitchhiker (21 Grams' John Rubinstein) who's in the wrong place at the wrong time and almost gets run down. Yeah, that's pretty much the entire plot, as the townsfolk try to think up inventive ways to outsmart the car, while the car comes up with increasingly clever ways around the townsfolk's ideas.
With a plot this simple, it's all about character and script, and writer Michael Butler (The Gauntlet) delivers with style. Witty, fast-paced, and action-packed, Butler's script gives Silverstein (Cat Ballou) a whole lot to work with, and he does what he can given the flick's basement-level budget. This is fun, fun, fun, and well worth your time. *** ½
Movie Review: LOW BUDGET WITH SOME GOOD MOMENTS, BUT........! 2 1/2 STARS!
Summary: 3 Stars
Watching 'The Car' you can't help but feel that you've been there before...and you have! It's basically 'Jaws' on land! This isn't so bad as if you're going to copy a film, why not copy one of the most successful and frightening films ever made? The film is hampered by a low budget, but it does deliver some good chills. The film is full of character actors we've seen over the years, but the acting is wooden and really adds nothing to the film. This film is about THE CAR and the is little else to really appreciate! I'm sure if you grew up with this film, it will lay better, but for most of us when "The Car" isn't on screen this film isn't going anywhere. I saw this on an HD cable channel and I do not have any information about the DVD release. This isn't the most original horror film, but it should entertain horror fans who like 70's style horror films and of course the films Duel and Christine, two much better films with similar subject matter.Movie Review: Fun, cheesy 70's horror flick
Summary: 3 Stars
There is a maniac on the loose and he is behind the wheel. No, it is not your daily commute to work on the expressway...it is a black Lincoln that is terrorizing a town. James Brolin is the sheriff of this small desert town, a single dad with a feisty lady friend who verbally challenges The Car and saves the town's children. Ronny Cox is a deputy with a drinking problem, and The Car challenges his vows to stay off the sauce. Just when you think it is safe to leave your house, The Car always seems to know where you are and what your plans are...Movie Review: Fright
Summary: 3 Stars
Good scary movie. I like the actors in this movie. plot is far-fetched, but good action.