Review of Joy Ride (1958) by Kevin R — 12 Oct 2010

Looking forward to the rain. It keeps everyone inside and washes everything clean.

Lewis Thomas is a college kid in California whose high school crush, who attends college in Colorado, admits that maybe they have something between them. Lewis decides to purchase a car and pick up his new found girlfriend on his drive home to New Jersey. On his way to Colorado he picks his recently released from prison brother. On the way to Colorado, the brothers decide to have some fun on the car's CB radio and joke around with some of the truckers. One of the truckers does not find their jokes funny. The trucker initially terrorizes the two brothers, but when they pick up the girl, all three of their lives are at risk.

"I've got a gun.".

"And I've got a Mastercard.".

John Dahl, director of Rounders, Unforgettable, Kill Me Again, and episodes of True Blood and Dexter, delivers Joy Ride. The storyline for this film is predictable but entertaining and was developed by the now infamous JJ Abrams. The settings are well selected, the action scenes are intense, and the actors deliver believable performances. The cast includes Paul Walker, Steve Zahn, and Leelee Sobieski.

"I thought there was no girl.".

"There is no girl.".

"Then what is she doing in the other room with your brother?".

Joy Ride is a movie that I watched in the theatre while in college with my in-laws. I remember thinking that this was a better film than I anticipated and even watching this again some years later I still thoroughly enjoy this picture. This is an underrated gem in the mold of Jeepers Creepers and the Hills Have Eyes remake. If you're a fan of the horror genre you will find this film entertaining.

"Now you know what it feels like to be the fucking punch line.".

Grade: B+.