Breakdown

Rating:
Summary: A very scary reality!!!
Review: This will make you think twice about driving cross-country, Kurt Russell & Kathleen Quinlan are a married couple driving cross-country to start a new life, & along the way encounter some very intimidating characters, this is a very well wriiten story that suggest that this could happen, while at a gas station Russell is taunted by a local who is accusing him of nearly hitting him in a scene earlier, feeling intimidated Russell & Quinlan leave & soon breakdown & soon a trucker stops to offer help, but little do they know that their nightmare has just begun, J.T. Walsh is his nastiess here as he soon kidnaps Quinlan & denies ever meeting Russell later on when Russell summons a police officer played terrificly by Rex Linn, soon Russell is frantically searching for his wife, & soon discovers that Walsh , the local & another guy are working together to trap Russell in the hopes of extorting money from him, at their mercy, Russell agees to their demands, butsoon realizes that his life might soon be over & fights back at the first oppurtunity, he is soon picked up by the local who taunts him, but Russsell pulls the element of surprise & turns the tables to his advantage, the local is soon killed by Linn after he is shot by him, & Russell soon catches up with Walsh & soon turns the tables on him as well, Russell's anger is powerful & the showdown between him & Walsh is full of tension in a somewhat satisfying ending, a great film with some of the nastiest villians you will ever see!!

Rating:
Summary: Breakdown
Review: Great Movie it's such a realistic plot.the only thing i did not like was that wide screen is realy in letter box form I have a 50 inch wide screen TV and I could only get half the screen.why do they do that. if is wide screen tv you should be able too view the movies in full screen.that's the only bad thing other than that it's a great movie love the plot.

Rating:
Summary: HOW STUPID DO YOU THINK WE ARE?
Review: If you were a man whose car broke down in the middle of nowhere, would you just allow your wife to get in some stranger's truck to get help while you stayed behind with the car? Doesn't it make you suspicious when someone else's cell phone (the bad guys) works in the middle of the desert but yours (the good guys) doesn't? So, so, so many unrealistic and stupid things happen in this pathetic and worthless film. Kurt Russell is horrible and the script makes him look like an incompetent idiot who can barely take care of himself and then loses his wife to a group of amateur con-men. Kathleen Quinlan as his wife is not much better. She can do a lot better than this. The only decent part is JT Walsh as the diabolical truck driver and mastermind of the plot to kill Russell and Quinlan. And after their characters' stupid behaviour in this film it is no wonder that they are good prey.

Rating:
Summary: Very Realistic! This Could Very Well Happen To Anyone!
Review: This is definitely one of the most realistic motion pictures ever released. Scene-for-scene, you can really visualize these terrible events actually occurring. The acting is top-notch here as well. Again, "realistic" is the key word here. They don't seem to be actors at all! J.T. Walsh is especially effective as the film's #1 villain. This should be in everyone's video library!

Rating:
Summary: Laughably lame
Review: This movie was preposterous, an unbelievably unpleasant film. The idea that this roving gang has the wherewithal (and the organization) to terrorize people passing through makes no sense. Kurt Russell is fine and Kathleen Quinlan does what she can with a thankless role, but I found the movie got sillier with each passing moment. For instance: if they are trying desperately to remove all evidence of Jeff and Amy, WHY do they take Amy to the basement under their barn rather than tossing her body somewhere? Only to have Amy and Jeff live happily ever after, of course. And was the guy at the bank in on it? You'd think so - you'd think some stranger coming in every week or so to wire money to their bank would tip someone off. The ending just got on my nerves. This movie was a train wreck. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Kinetic and fast-paced, taut and suspenseful!
Review: "Breakdown" is a thriller about a couple whose car breaks down in the middle of the desert in the West. Out in the middle of nowhere, the wife hitches a ride with a truck driver, but never returns.

Director Jonathon Mostow has certainly created a terrific little thriller here, infusing his scenes with genuine suspense, and a mystery surrounding the wife's disappearance that progresses very nicely. Under some very powerful performances from Kurt Russell and J.T. Walsh, this action film has a lot to offer.

The movie begins with a near-accident between a Jeep and a pickup truck. In the Jeep are Jeff and Amy Taylor (Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan), a married couple moving from Massachusetts to San Diego, who are confronted by the man in the pickup when they stop at a gas station. Passing it off, they continue on their way, only to experience car trouble soon after. Luckily, a semi pulls up, offering them a ride. Amy goes, and Jeff stays behind to watch the car.

When his wife does not come back, he finally realizes the car's malfunction (obviously not a mechanically inclined person), and makes his way to any place he can find, stopping at a small cafe to inquire about his wife's whereabouts; they know nothing. He catches up to Red Barr (J.T. Walsh), the man driving the semi, but Barr denies even knowing who he is as a cop searches the truck and finds nothing, no traceable evidence of Amy.

So where is she? The movie keeps us at bay for quite a while, allowing Kurt Russell to give us some very dynamic acting as he plays out all of Jeff's inner collapses and states of confusion. Russell has always been good at playing the action hero, but here, he is the one being chased, the one being toyed with, and in this interesting turn of events, he pulls it off successfully, convincing us of his emotional drive to find his missing wife.

J.T. Walsh is equally impressive as Warren (a.k.a. Red Barr), who, along with his road pals (including the man in the pickup from the beginning), have plans in store for Jeff, the pawn in their lethal game of chess. Walsh was gifted with one of those faces, those strong, stern faces that could cause mountains to crumble at a mere glance. Here, he is harsh and overbearing, fitting the role with an unsettling ease.

As the mystery unfolds, the action begins. Russell is in even finer form during the film's second half, as he gets involved in a high-speed chase and must figure out a way to elude his pursuants. I'm going to do my best not to give away their intentions, which may come as a letdown to some, given the initial paths the story takes, but the commencing action and breath-holding finale are a tour de force of thrills, chases, and suspense-packed action.

At the helm of this project is director Jonathon Mostow, who uses his photography to add to the intensity of the story. Here, he chooses to surround us with wide open spaces to convey to emptiness and vastness of the western terrain, adding to the overwhelming sense of dread that Jeff must be feeling in search of his wife. He also puts us right in the middle of some very intense car chases, and a scene involving Jeff making his way along the bottom of a moving truck is full of tension.

If you are able to break down the mystery behind "Breakdown," you may be at a loss. But the movie does a pretty good job of keeping it hidden from a mainstream audience, and those in the mood for a story that keeps you waiting will find pleasure in its many exciting twists. The action is intense and involving (I almost cheered at the closing credits), and Mostow knows what he is doing, as do the cast members. I had a large smile on my face after this film, a smile of satisfaction that very few movies have ever put on my face.

Rating:
Summary: How can a film like this go so unnoticed?
Review: During the summer of '97, a summer that gave us great movies like THE LOST WORLD, CONTACT, and AIR FORCE ONE, certainly there was room for BREAKDOWN, wasn't there? How in the world could so well-made a thriller as this one was escape everyone's notice?

Kurt Russell is this film's Everyman, who is travelling with his wife (Kathleen Quinlan) from New England to San Diego, when they run afoul of a redneck gang in the Utah hinterlands. One of them sets the trap for Russell's Jeep to break down, and then the leader of the gang (J.T. Walsh, chillingly despicable as always) abducts Quinlan and forces Russell to wire $90,000 as ransom for his wife's return. Naturally, this is money that he doesn't have.

After having to endure so much abuse from Walsh's sadistic underlings (the "rich a**holes lookin' for trouble" line really got my blood boiling, let me tell you!), however, Russell finally fights back and takes matters into his own hands, leading to a ferocious high-speed showdown.

Much has been said about the fact that director and co-writer Jonathan Mostow borrows greatly from other movies. This is true, but at least he has the good sense to borrow from some excellent ones: DUEL, STRAW DOGS, DELIVERANCE, THE VANISHING. Russell's performance (as had been the case in TOMBSTONE) is exceptional; and Quinlan, though she isn't seen that much onscreen, still plays an important part because of Russell's ever-increasing concern for her life as the film progresses. Walsh and his band of redneck pirates (including M.C. Gainey and Jack Noseworthy) rank right up there with the redneck rapists of DELIVERANCE and the bounty hunters from THE WILD BUNCH as the ultimate cinematic villains.

Brilliantly photographed by Douglas Milsome (a veteran of Stanley Kubrick's films; he lensed FULL METAL JACKET) and shot mostly on locations in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, and southwestern California, BREAKDOWN remains one of the most underappreciated thrillers of all times. Hopefully, however, that status will change. It is a worthy addition to the thriller genre.

Rating:
Summary: BREAKDOWN Never Breaks Down
Review: In 1997 I had the misfortune of seeing the coming attractions trailer for BREAKDOWN, a film with Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan, two performers I have always liked and respected. I groaned - this film looked like just another run-of-the-mill, headache-inducing, Jerry Bruckheimer over-the-top actionfest with absolutely no basis in reality. Foolishly, I avoided this film until I found myself at a drive-in Scottsdale, AZ. BREAKDOWN was just about the only movie on the list that looked remotely interesting, though I had sincere doubts. Reluctantly, I paid admission, fearing the worst.

Oh, my God, was I wrong. What a movie!!! My initial reservations about this film were completely erased halfway through the story. Years of watching ludicrous testosterone-driven action epics with amusement park-like thrills almost prevented me from seeing one of the best films of the 1990's. I watched the film from the hood of my rental car. I thought the paint would permanently adhere to my sweaty palms.

BREAKDOWN is a near masterpiece. To disclose the plot would destroy a nail-biting motion picture experience. In fact, be warned, as the film is almost too gripping to be enjoyable. There is such an overwhelming sense of menace and peril in this film that it almost becomes a cruel experiment in fear.

For a first-time directing job by Jonathan Mostow, it's awe-inspiring. The opening credits sequence alone is imaginative and appropriate to the story. It has been a longtime indeed since this level of suspense has seen the light of day on the silver screen. It's so good, in fact, that it's hard to believe that it ever got made. Amazing that it was not the blockbuster that it deserved to be.

Shooting in the 2.35:1 Panavision ratio, Mr. Mostow has created an unbelievably plausible scenario replete with three of the most frightening villians the movies have ever seen. They certainly give Bill McKinney and Herbert "Cowboy" Coward, the mountain men in DELIVERANCE, a run for their money. J. T. Walsh, who unfortunately passed away not too long after this film was released (his death is a real loss to the film world), appears in probably the best performance of his career: a purely evil man who doubles as an everyday Joe who loves his wife and son but commits terrible acts for money. M. C. Gainey, a towering giant who could rip you in half with his own two hands, is brilliant as Earl, one of the conspirators. You would not want to cross this man. Jack Noseworthy is equally maniacal as the third villian.

BREAKDOWN succeeds for the same reason that Steven Spielberg's DUEL does (though DUEL is more cinematic): it takes two ordinary human beings and thrusts them into a horrendous situation they'd never have any reason to suspect they'd ever be a part of. That is not to say that the film does not have a few convenient plot devices, but even when it does they can be forgiven.

Kurt Russell - my God, he's just brilliant. I loved him as Snake Plissken in JOHN CARPENTER'S ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK. He's such an amazing actor. The look of terror and fear on his face is complete and real. Basil Poledouris, who scored CONAN THE BARBARIAN, one of the best scores of the 1980's, provides a tremendous score to this film. The tension in the sequence prior to the unbelievably tense and superbly edited ending is made all the more so due to his phenomenal score.

Although I have a slight problem with the ending (it contains a few elements that are farfetched), it still remains one of the most gripping action sequences your likely to see in any film.

I cannot say enough about this film. It's completely riveting from start to finish, and is one of only a handful of 1990's films that I can watch over and over again. The week that I purchased the DVD I watched the film six times. I was just as engrossed as I was upon my initial viewing.

The DVD looks and sounds great, though the lack of anamorphic enhancement is disappointing. Hopefully, Paramount will re-issue this title soon with a commentary by the director. Recall that DVDs were fairly new when this film was released. This film is far superior to Mr. Mostow's submarine film U-571. I'd love to hear his thoughts on the casting and comments on the making of the film.

One major warning: Do not watch this film on television. It's been on TV twice, and it's completely ruined. Commercials cause this film to break down (sorry - couldn't resist).

If I could give this film ten stars, I would. Watch it. It's brilliant.

Rating:
Summary: Nail Biting
Review: JT Walsh has to be THE greatest bad guy ever(TM)in this movie. He masterfully underplays his role and is very scary and VERY belivable. No one could have made him Eviler. I try to impersonate him but I cannot come anywhere near as close to the cold-hearted coolness that he created in the role. When he denies ever seeing Russell or giving Quinlan a ride is so scary and cool.

It doesn't need huge bombastics to be entertaining. Or any OTT elaborateness. No-siree-bob. This truly is a solid action thriller. Kurt Russell is very realistic as the distraught hubbie and he onscreen for practically the entire running time.

Some of the scenes are truly nail biting (Russell underneath the 18 wheeler) and the direction is taut and tight. Buy this for all these reasons and more.

The DVD is in Dolby 5.1 and is letterboxed at 2.35:1.

Rating:
Summary: VERY GOOD MOVIE
Review: This movie is one the most entertaining movies around without a doubt . Watch this movie on Video or on cable or something because there is alot of entertaining fowel language. I know that sounds kind of bad but the movie tends to be funnier that way and kind of makes the story the actors did a great job/.