Vanishing Point
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Movie Reviews of Vanishing Point
Movie Review: best of the best
Summary: 5 Stars
By far the best car chase movie ever made. Kowalski and a 1970 Challenger, it doesn't get any better than that. The music kept pace with the movie which is rare these day's due to studios trying to sell music cd's as well as the movie. The meaning to the story, it's better to burn out than fade away.Cleavon Little was great as the DJ, but most the time seems to be Kowalski's co-pilot. The chase never lets up in this movie until the end, but even then, Kowalski is smiling. Even though this movie is mild compared to today's films, parents might want to remember the drug use and the nude biker girl scene in this film as well as the corrupt cop scene. And if you watch the international version of this film, don't forget the scene where he picks up a hitch-hiker. This is one of those flicks that I watched time and time again, it never gets old. They made a newer version of this film in 2004, don't waste your time, especially if your a big fan of the original. I read in a car magazine a few month's ago an article on the new Challenger, where they were talking about another remake of this movie. If they do, I hope they learn from other remake failures and learn what made this on a cult phenomenon.Movie Review: The Last Free Man On Earth
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this movie at a drive-in back in 1971 playing along w/ The French Connection. From that moment on, I was a Vanishing Point and Dodge Challenger fan.
In quick summary, the movie details a contract car driver named Kowalski (no first name given) who makes a bet that he can drive his 'hopped up to over 160' 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T from Denver to San Francisco in 15 hours.
We find through flashbacks that Kowalski was once a motorcycle and auto racer, an ex-cop as well as in the military. We also learn that His wife drowned while surfing.
Along the way of being chased by cops on motorcylces as well in other MOPARS, he is challenged to a hi-speed race with a jaguar, gets some much needed gasoline from some 'Jesus people' in the desert, is aided by a blind disc-jockey named 'supersoul' (Cleavon Little) and others along the way to avoid the police, all leading to the climatic ending.
The UK version which is on the 'B' side of the DVD has an extra scene with Charlotte Rampling.
Since Dodge has started producing the Challenger again, I wonder if a 'reboot' of the movie will soon follow.
Movie Review: Car chase movie with a storyline
Summary: 5 Stars
The original Vanishing Point (not 'updated' 1997 version) lives up to its name of being one of the classic cinematic car chase movies. Through subtle poignant tones is the story of a man known simply as Kowalski racing against the clock and himself on mission that becomes all too clear as the movie unfolds.
Super Soul (Cleavon Little, Blazing Saddles) is a blind black disc-jockey who appoints himself Kowalski's spiritual co-pilot much to despise of law enforcement promotes Kowalski to an ever increasing audience who listen in and follow him on his journey with destiny. 30+ years later this is still a movie that will leave more than an impression of watch and forget as this is an example of a car chase film that has a story line you will not easily forget.
Note previous comment re 'updated' 1997 version of Vanishing Point that re-edits the original 1971 movie footage to replace Cleavon Little (R.I.P 1939-1992) with Brett Priestly (Beverly Hills 90210) as Super Soul inserts into the story line a pregnant wife, mobile phones and a heavy metal soundtrack, enough said.
Movie Review: Escape From Planet Earth
Summary: 5 Stars
My favorite road movie of all time. I think this is a better film than Easy Rider. Barry Newman's subtle non-machismo performance is the perfect contrast to the awesome muscle car which carries him to his vanishing point. I just listened to the dvd commentary track by director Richard C Sarafian, where he claims his choice for Newman's role was Gene Hackman. I don't think Hackman could have done a better job, in fact the balance of the car and the driver would not have been the same. Gene Hackman is an incredible actor, but Barry Newman was, in my opinion, ideal for this film. A work of great beauty, and the haunting loss of a freer epoch. Incredible handheld cinematography by the late great John A Alonzo, married to an uplifting and deeply poignant soundtrack. This film can be viewed on many different levels from an exciting car chase movie to a true American existential classic. I never get tired of works of art and Vanishing Point is such a work. I can't understand why 20th Century Fox failed to put out a soundtrack album. "Another Soul Goes Free"Movie Review: Kowalski Rides Again
Summary: 5 Stars
'Vanishing Point' still resonates within my soul, some 34 years after it was filmed. This latest release in DVD offers great extras (Sarafian's commentary and the extra scenes edited out of the original release make it worthwhile). Vanishing Point has not a single allure, it has many. It is Kowalski, the Challenger, the music, the trip and yes it is (was) the times, all of which make it very personal for me, having lived them. So much so that in the summer of 2003 I retraced Kowalski's path from Colorado through Utah and Nevada in my 1970 Challenger RT. It's a long, long ride but the scenery is still magnificent and the Challenger still dominates the highway (and surprises the occassional state trooper like the one who eyed me just outside of Eureka, Nevada - arriving a minute earlier he would have heard me go by at 140 mph. And they say you can't go home again...of course you can :) If you didn't live it or can't drive it, then by all means see it - you're not likely to be dissapointed.