The Hitcher (2007)

Film : The Hitcher (2007)
Director: Dave Meyers
IMDB User Rating: 5.2/10






Movie Premise:Collegiate couple Grace Andrews (Sophia Bush) and Jim Halsey (Zachary Knighton) hit the road in a 1970 Oldsmobile 442, en route to spring break , but their pleasure trip soon turns into a waking nightmare after encountering the mysterious hitchhiker John Ryder, a.k.a. The Hitcher (Sean Bean). The initial encounters with Ryder are increasingly off-putting for Grace and Jim, and they bravely fight back when he ambushes them. But they are truly blindsided when he implicates them in a horrific slaying and continues to shadow them. The open road becomes a battleground of blood and metal as, in trying to elude not only Ryder but also New Mexico State Police Lieutenant Esteridge's (Neal McDonough) officers, Grace and Jim must fight for their lives and face their fears head-on. Written by Rogue Pictures

Blog Review: SO Being a big fan of the original 1986 THE HITCHER, starring C. Thomas Howell and Rutger Hauer, I was of course apprehensive of a remake but with the success of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (04) and The beginning (06) it was no surprise to any of us that this film was to be remade by Michael bay and his Platinum Dunes Production Company. So as I sat watching the movie I have to say I was thoroughly enjoying the movie. This starred Sophia Bush and Zachary Knighton as our hapless couple on the run from a deranged Sean Bean playing John Rider " the Hitcher." The suspense was fairly well paced through out. Sean bean playing the menacing psycho was a good role for him and he delivered, as usual. Sophia Bush played the heroine strongly not overly dramatic as we see in most of these types of movies... So the thrilling, chilling crazy moments continued and for the most part and I was really enjoying the movie. Then it Happened....

*POSSIBLE SPOILERS
Movie Drop Off Point: The point in which this film fell off for me wasn't in the action exactly but the dialogue within the action at the end of the film. The build up is typical horror, great blood scenes, the torture scenes are all well made. but the exact moment in which the film nose dives is at the very end. Before I reveal the moment, its hard to say why a movie doesn't work but in the end my only view is that of the thing that bothered me will be the thing I remember the most. At the end of the film Sean bean escapes from police custody and the vigilant Sheriff is pinned to the car so he asks Sophia Bush to run away. Sophia Bush being the strong character says something to the effect of " I'm not running anymore" A collective laugh rolled through the room. This petite girl all of 5 foot weilding a shotgun and trying to do her best Ripley impression from Aliens didnt pay off. That moment is the point in which the audience will remember. This cheesy line I bet wasn't part of the directors shooting script this seemed like a studio devised "tag line" sort of thing that they wanted. The entire movie was ruined on that line. Now is that a harsh criticism ? I think no because when and I tell people to see this movie I will be like it's good but when that chick says a cheesy line at the end you'll laugh like we did and all the investment and hard work the people involved with this film will all be for nothing. The film will now be stockpiled on the shelves of remake obscurity.

Recommendation: View if you have nothing better to watch - 5 0ut of 10
Film Recommendation: The Hitcher ( 86), Haute Tension (03), Wolf Creek (05)