Exit Speed (2008)

Director:

Scott Ziehl

Writer (WGA):

Michael Stokes (written by)

Release Date:

26 August 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

On Christmas Eve, ten strangers board a bus traveling across Texas. Far out in the wilds they collide with a meth-addicted biker...

Plot Keywords:

Bus | Beautiful Woman | Murder

Cast

Desmond Harrington	...	Sam Cutter
Lea Thompson	...	Maudie McMinn
Julie Mond	...	Merideth Cole
Alice Greczyn	...	Annabel Drake
Fred Ward	...	Sergeant Archie Sparks
Gregory Jbara	...	Jerry Yarbro
David Rees Snell	...	Danny Gunn
Kelli Dawn Hancock	...	Desiree
Nick Sowell	...	Duke
Everett Sifuentes	...	Mr. Vargas
Wally White	...	Walter Lindley
Danielle Beacham	...	Joey Ryan
Asante Jones	...	Sheriff Tom Jasper
Roy Samuelson	...	Vic Towbridge
Denise Lee	...	Louella Burton

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language and drug use.

Runtime:

USA:91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R | Singapore:M18 | Australia:MA (2009)

Filming Locations:

Dallas, Texas, USA

Company:

Sabbatical Pictures

Trivia:

WILHELM SCREAM: The nomad with shades and helmet during the night shootout.

Movie Connections:

References Mad Max (1979)

Good Licks By A Bunch Of Hicks Out In The Sticks

"Exit Speed" just became available on DVD via Blockbuster, here in the southern New England area. In looking to get a "two-fer," i.e., rent one and get one free, I picked it up. I think they had two copies, total for this very fine and very exciting 'road warrior' kind of movie.

OK, I must confess to having a Jones for Lea Thompson, who gets a top tier billing in this ultra-violent survival adventure. She was truly so very, very good in "Back To The Future". She does well here, too, as 'a soccer Mom'. She goes from scared stiff to resolute in a big hurry.

If I had anything to complain about, it might be that the author(s) put two of the better characters out of action, as in dead, very early in the story. That was, I think, a modest mistake. The palpable sense of fear and loathing which carries this adventure is truly one of the film's most admirable elements. Some of the best action happens at night but in the way it was all photographed, there's really nothing missing.

There is definitely a fine sub-routine in this film, too, revolving around the moral conundrums facing Good Mom ( Lea Thompson's role as an ultra-yuppie returning from a funeral ), and The Not At All Bad Girl, which is Alice Greczyn as a Vegan illustrator and role-playing archer.

Julie Mond sparkles in this film, for sure, as the Really Really Bad Girl -- who is an Army deserter and Iraq veteran -- and Fred Ward does a great job as a typical Fred Ward character, i.e., long-suffering.

As noted this film is short at 88 minutes but it's worth the rental and it is worth the time and yes, I've watched it twice already. Then again, I am thinking of going for a third viewing ( done ! ), 'cause it is pretty much a deeper film than it seems to be, and so unappreciated.

Eight stars out of ten and I am happy to say there ain't no Zombies !!