In a small town in Arizona, a mysterious man/spirit descends from the sky and manifests in a sports car and targets a local violent road-racing gang of motor heads, headed by a ruthless bull... Read allIn a small town in Arizona, a mysterious man/spirit descends from the sky and manifests in a sports car and targets a local violent road-racing gang of motor heads, headed by a ruthless bully who'll do anything to get what he wants.In a small town in Arizona, a mysterious man/spirit descends from the sky and manifests in a sports car and targets a local violent road-racing gang of motor heads, headed by a ruthless bully who'll do anything to get what he wants.
- Girl in Daytona
- (as Elizabeth Cox)
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Featured reviews
I feel this film could have been a lot better had the director created a faster moving storyline and less frustrating. Charlie Sheen is here as eye candy for the ladies and shows no real acting talent. The closest thing to talent seen is that of nick cassavetes, whos portrayal of the evil villain is menacing.
There are many scenes which drag on and the film is intermingled with confusing flashbacks. These flashbacks are meant to open the audience up to the past events but end up making you wonder what it was trying to tell you.
The film does have some good points however, mainly the soundtrack. The music throughout the film is true eighties. This soundtrack gives the film a very positive setting. It was also good to see Randy Quaid making the most a role that, unfortunately, held no hope or realism.
Overall, the film is based on a very good idea but is let down by it's confusing plot and direction.
The Wraith features a rockin' 80s soundtrack with music performed by Bily Idol, Robert Palmer, Motley Crue and even Ozzy Osbuorne. Randy Quaid, Clint Howard and Nick Cassavetes round out a cast of strange supporting actors. A very young Brooke Burke makes an appearance as a car-hop at Big Kay Burgers and Steven Eckholdt also has a small part as the "Daytona Boy." Though the Wraith is filled with terrible acting and the special effects are dated, it is still a fun ride. The Turbo Interceptor's "special feature" is still unbelievable and a lot of fun even after all these years.
If you're a big fan of the Mad Max/Road Warrior films or of street racing movies like The Fast and the Furious, I think you'll really like this movie. You may have to be a big car enthusiast or a big Charlie Sheen fan to really love this film. The Wraith is rated PG-13 though it does contain some mild violence and partial nudity/sexuality. Bad acting makes this film a bit cheesy but the fast cars and racing sequences are a lot of fun. The Wraith is a way cool "vehicle" for Charlie Sheen.
Cool Car Rating: 8/10
Overall Movie Rating 6/10
-"A what man?"
-"A Wraith man! A ghost, an evil spirit and it ain't cool."
Sheen plays a restless spirit who returns from the afterlife in a turbo charged ghost car to seek revenge on the reprehensible road pirates responsible for his death, rescue roller waitress Keri (the scorching Sherilyn Fenn) from the clutches of psychotic killer Packard Walsh (Cassavetes), and say goodbye to his younger brother Billy (Matthew Barry).
Although the film's star isn't really given that much to do (for much of the time, Sheen's character is hidden behind he wheel of his otherworldly car or in a silly cyberpunk suit and black full-face helmet), the excellent supporting cast more than make up for his absence: Randy Quaid is great as a desert cop trying to make sense of the carnage; Clint Howard gives another memorable performance as a mechanic with crazy hair; and Fenn is effortlessly sexy, and gets her top off once or twice during proceedings.
With more cheese than one of the burgers served up by Keri at the Big K bar, The Wraith is a great time-waster and recommended to all fans of 80s cult cinema.
There is just something about the way this film starts and moves like an unstoppable force towards its conclusion. It's almost like all the characters around the Wraith instinctively know who he really is, and what is going to happen to them ultimately (you can see it in their eyes), and yet somehow, they seem to be irresistibly drawn into his web, lost in their own pride, entangled in their own rules of engagement, and misguided by their own sheer foolhardiness. and so the film goes from one inevitability to the next, with each person remaining true to himself/herself.
There are also some really memorable-crazy characters in the film, who add some light relief to what I think is a very serious film about human destiny; how we each help to create our own reality and then have to deal with it. To anyone who hasn't seen this film, give it a try (if you can find it) and keep an open mind. This not a high-tech blockbuster movie, but it's definitely a high-intelligence movie.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDedicated to the memory of Bruce Ingram, who worked on the film as an assistant cameraman. He was the single person killed when the camera car overturned.
- GoofsIn the race between the Wraith and the red Daytona they come up on a Ford Escort that the Daytona has to swerve past. A few seconds later the Daytona swerves around it again. Also, during the race between the Wraith and the Firebird there is a brief point of view shot of a car swerving to avoid the same Escort.
- Quotes
Jake: Well, it's time for me to hit the road. My business here is finished. Before I do, I want you to have somethin'.
[hands Billy his car keys]
Jake: She's yours now.
Billy Hankins: Who's mine?
Jake: It's outside. Turbo Interceptor. The only one in existence. Does very special things. Take care of it, will ya?
Billy Hankins: Who are you, bro?
Jake: You said it, Billy
[Jake gives him a knowing look]
Jake: ... I Gotta Go.
- Alternate versionsTv and some video rental versions - the ones most most commonly seen or found - do not include extended love scenes featuring topless nudity of Sherilyn Fenn.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Trailer Trauma 3: 80s Horrorthon (2017)
- How long is The Wraith?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- El aparecido
- Filming locations
- 2128 East 5th Street - Tucson, Arizona, USA(Keri Johnson's house)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,700,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $3,500,000
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,402,535
- Nov 23, 1986
- Gross worldwide
- $3,500,000
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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