The Hitcher

Well here we go... I was dreading watching this film I remember watching it along time ago and I thought it was one of the worst action films. Thankfully it was better than I remembered not by much but still it was watchable. John rider (I think this is a pun on joy rider) makes an excellent villain. He is the saving grace of this film.

The plot makes little to no sense. The characters decisions are strange at best. But this keeps the thin vernier of a plot ticking over and gives opportunity for the action sequences.

Jim Halsey is delivering a car from Chicago to California. He’s tired so after almost dying from falling asleep at the wheel he resolves to pick up a hitchhiker he spots. Enter John Rider, John doesn’t answer any of Jim’s questions and things get very tense very quickly. After John pulls a knife on Jim, Jim manages to kick him from the moving car.

John wakes up the next morning not a happy bunny. He resolves to find Jim and make his life a living hell. After setting him up getting him arrested and trashing his car. He then breaks into the police station Jim is being held in kills all the cops and unlocks Jim’s cell all while Jim is having a kip. Jim goes on the run afraid of the police. He bumps into a waiter he met earlier in a bus toilet Nash. When the cops catch up to him again she decides to help Jim and jump in on the action. The next scene is where all the money was spent. We see 7 trashed police cars and an exploding helicopter. After being saved, yes saved from the police again by John, Jim and Nash go into hiding. While Jim is having a shower John decides that Nash and Jim need to split literally! He ties her up and pulls her in half with the aid of a truck and trailer. John is then arrested but in classic 80s style we know he’ll be back.

Jim is free at last he’s on the home stretch everything’s been cleared up with the cops he’s a little sad about Nash however. So instead of going home decides to steal a gun from a police officer and chase after the jail bus with John in it. Just as he catches up John escapes and we have the final show down or do we? Of course not seriously this film should of ended 20 minutes ago! Johns still alive and Jim has to blow three holes in him curtesy of a pump action shot gun. The end finally!

Rutger Hauer is the only saving grace of this film for me his villain is great if a little confusing at times he’s sadistic and loves to torture little jimmy. C. Thomas Howell on the other hand wow where do I begin in sure the plot and bad script had plenty to do with with his over the top acting. I found his character Jim confusing and unbelievable throughout.

So next time people when your tired and on a long drive just pull over and have a nap don’t go picking up strangers on the side of the road!

1 and half finger fries out of 5