Review of The Getaway (1972) by Chris M — 12 Aug 2008

Hmmm - I had high hopes for this but was disappointed. The opening montage in prison is excellent, but it's downhill from there.

Peckinpah's renowned slow-mo violence is sometimes striking, but there are times when it feels like everyone is just going through the motions. Almost none of the characters are even vaguely sympathetic. The score is heavy-handed and some of the plot turns are ludicrous: Doc is set up as a master criminal, planning the heist himself and not trusting anyone else to do it right. But later, just hours after seeing his wanted face on TV screens, he 'keeps a low profiile' by stopping at a drive-in diner...