Road Games (1981)


REVIEWER RATING: 
7/10


Technically this isn't really a horror flick, but I figured since I've got a few movies up that aren't really horror flicks that I'd review this one. It's a "thriller" at least. Judging from the trailer you wouldn't think this is a hitchcock-type film, because it was poorly marketed as a slasher, which it obviously wasn't was. They only did that to market off the success of the slasher Halloween, because of Jamie Lee being in the film. The only on-screen death we see is the opening sequence. Regardless, I'm glad I was able to check this flick, because it's a pretty cool movie if you're lookin' for something that'll keep you guessing, and I've always said I was fond of road-related horror flicks.

The story is about a lonely truck driver, who's got a cargo of meat and headed across Australia. With no one but his trusty dingo, he heads out on the road. As he's driving he makes comments about the people that he passes and eventually focuses his sights on one individual, who he believes may or may not be the killer thats been reported over the radio. He takes it on himself to do his own investigating.

This is a good movie that really keeps you guessing as to what's going to happen next. It's a lot like the Hitchcock film, Rear Window, where the guy believes he saw a murder, but can't really prove it and is then sucked into a whole web of mystery. The whole flick basically takes place on the road and a few stops in towns, which makes things actually rather interesting considering it's not the usual setting for a flick.

Stacy Keach does an excellent performance playing the truck driver, but sadly Jamie Lee Curtis has a rather small role in the movie. She's really only in it for like 25 minutes then disappears. Diretor Richard Franklin said that had he realized Jamie Lee was going to be the big star she is today that he would have given her a larger part in the film, but at the time she was just known as a "scream queen," and her part was already written.

As I said above there's really only one on-screen death in the flick, so there's no blood or gore, with the exception of what happens in the end. In the end I decided on a 7-rating, because I enjoyed it and I liked how it kept me wondering what was going to happen next and not be as predictable as many other "horror" films are.

A good watch if you're looking for something different. It's very much like Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, which is what the director was going for since he's such a bitch fan of Hitchcock's work. The film is slow-paced, but interesting. If you like a good story then check this baby out, but don't check it for Jamie Lee, because she's not in it very long.
OVERALL: 
A good watch if you're looking for something different. It's very much like Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window, which is what the director was going for since he's such a bitch fan of Hitchcock's work. The film is slow-paced, but interesting. If you like a good story then check this baby out, but don't check it for Jamie Lee, because she's not in it very long.


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