Blacktop (2000)

Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike

Fantastic!

An Exercise In Nonsense

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Here's the problem. Obviously almost everyone involved with this movie has carefully studied the far better film "Breakdown". The ending especially seems ripped right out of that movie. The plot to "Blacktop" is nothing more than a simplified, dumbed down, trucker kidnapping an innocent. Unfortunately "Blacktop" also suffers from a bad case of boring dialog. For miles on end this is no better than the relationship primers that play on "Lifetime". The stunt work is definitely the best part of "Blacktop", which doesn't say much for the acting or script. For example, when a guy cuts off another guys ear, you would have to think the police might get involved? Probably wasn't in the budget. - MERK

Did JOYRIDE ('01) leave you primed for another psycho trucker flick? Try elsewhere. Loco long-hauler Meat Loaf shang-hai's girlfriend of wimpy Lochlyn Munro, whose recovery plan consists of shrieking her name as he tails Mr Loaf in his battered flivver. There hasn't been such a mismatch since Arch Hall Jr battled EEGAH ('62). Most of the slo-mo chase takes place on back roads (saves on shooting permits, I guess) where motels and fillin' stations exist in uninhabited areas (saves on extras!).For a film helmed by a former stunt and second-unit guy, this is mighty thin on thrills. The plot lacks one credible moment, and aside from some well-placed quips likely ad-libbed by Mr Loaf, the dialogue is insultingly bad. On the plus side, I dug the screwy camera angles, and the gear-grinding soundtrack sports some cool tunes. Bonus: Kristin Davis spends mucho time shirtless, and reduces Meat Loaf to hamburger.

Duel + Breakdown + Joy Ride + Black Dog = BlackTopOf course mostly bad elements of Duel, Breakdown and dare I say it Black Dog.MeatLoaf is overacting, otherwise I would commend him for a job well done. Lots of teasing, but no actual nudity. This is the kind of film you watch at 430 AM drunk. Suspend logic, disbelief and "Why doesn't he/she just do x, y or z." and you will be fine.Check out the others first, especially Duel.Thanks.

If you're in the market for a stupid story, that has pretty much been done before ever so much better, have a looksie. Really dumb plot with dreadful acting, characters we don't care about, and a been there/done that ending. The suspense isn't enough to hold it together. Hold WHAT together??? Only thing you should hold is your breath....it stinks.