Review of Joy Ride (2012) by Johnny T — 19 Apr 2015

The popcorn thriller manages to keep the viewer's disbelief at bay, while offering a deceptively smooth ride through some frequently bumpy territory. This is nothing particularly special but another good example of straightforward and effective storytelling. This taut thriller is sharply directed by John Dahl and benefits from fine, low-key performances by Walker, Sobieski and Zahn. Redoubtably hilarious as always, Zahn also lends his character unpredictable flashes of anger, pathos, and faint psychosis, even when the movie jumps the median from ticklishly discomfiting black comedy into by-the-numbers horror jolts. Some of the plot twists don't really stand up to close scrutiny, but the sometimes over-the-top Joy Ride plows through them with such joyful glee, you don't really care. There's plenty of scary pleasure to be had from this clever, compact thriller. Despite its few flaws, Joy Ride does take viewers on one hell of a ride. People who are looking for a good scare, with plenty of Steve Zahn laughs along the way, will be satisfied. It's one of those rare films that manages to take an overused plot and breathe some sort of creativity into it. The sequel-ready twist at the end is a letdown, but until then this is a neatly constructed nail-biter.

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).