Joy Ride (2001)

When Good Prank Turns Bad

THE PLOT (8 stars - Very Good)

A bad joke that ends up in trouble…big time!  Thomas brothers (Walker and Zahn) wish they haven’t mess around with psychopath stranger “Rusty Nail”.  Now, the prank is on them… and to a girl (Sobieski) that accidentally get involved.

THE PERFORMANCE (8 stars - Very Good)

Confident but vulnerable Sobieski is beautiful on screen.  Walker as the rational brother is believable.  And Zahn... of course, brings in the comedy side with his exaggerated expressions and goofy behavior.  Deserved lead actors keeps the viewers on the edge.

THE PRODUCTION (8 stars - Very Good)

I like the balance of tension and humor presented in this film.  Clever script and some funny dialogues, match the bullying approach of the movie.  Rusty Nail's voice, the nowhere highway, motel and cornfield settings are disturbingly subtle - Hitchcock style.

OVERALL SCORE
(8 + 8 + 8) / 3 = 8.00
8/10 points = Very Good



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by Josh Ralske)
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (based on 7 users)

2.  Amazon
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 256 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B (based on 423 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Blake French)
     = 2.0/5.0 stars (based on users)

5.  IMDB
     = 6.6/10.0 stars (based on 24,497 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 75/100 points (based on 31 critics)
     = 8.7/10.0 points (based on 47 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 65/100 (based on critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 4.0/10.0 stars (based critics)
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 192 users)

9.  RottenTomatoes
     = 74/100 points (based on 111 critics)
     = 63/100 points (based on 60,209 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = None
     = B (based on 3,667 users)



THE GIST

This is not your usual teen/slasher film.  This one is slick and well-presented.  From start to end, continuous mystery didn't get bored.  Simple plot yet delivers non-stop chilling experience.  :)

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"This is like some kinda

prehistoric Internet or something."

- Fuller Thomas

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Furious" Sheriff Ritter

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Ordering 12 cheeseburgers

4.  MOVIE TRAILER



5.  NUMBER TRACKER 

Production Budget                           $23.0 M
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Domestic Gross           $22.0 M
Foreign Gross              $14.6 M
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Worldwide Gross                            $36.6 M
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Profit                                             $13.6 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Saturn Awards, USA
(Academy of Science Fiction/Fantasy & Horror Films)
Nominated:                 -  Best Action / Adventure / Thriller Film