Plot: What’s it about?
Lewis Thomas (Paul Walker) has plans to fly back home on break, but soon enough, his plans will take some serious changes. His friend Venna (Leelee Sobieski) has just broken up with her beau and since Lewis likes her, he wants to make his presence felt. So he decides to cash in his plane tickets and buy a low end used car, which he will then drive to pick up Venna and be able to spend some time with her. Before his trek has advanced much however, he is informed that his brother Fuller (Steve Zahn) has been arrested again. So Lewis takes a detour to Salt Lake City and bails Fuller out & in the process, gets himself a new passenger. As a token of thanks, Fuller has a CB installed in the car and that means a window of fun is open, as Fuller starts to jaw with some of the truckers. Lewis even pretends to be a woman and raises the attentions of one trucker, so much so that it comes back into their memories later on. After an incident with a rude hotel guest, the two chat again with the trucker and tell him to meet his woman at the motel, in the room of the man that troubled Fuller. This all seems like a harmless prank, but when strange & violent noises are heard in the room, it seems like someone took it all too seriously…
I was hooked into this one by the theatrical trailer, which told me just enough to want to see the flick and little else. Of course, a lot of films never come close to the expectations built up the trailers, but Joy Ride does so and then some. As with most thrillers, you have to suspend disbelief and just let the movie entertain you, but rest assured, this is one ride fans of the genre simply cannot afford to miss. I like how Joy Ride remains based in the real world throughout, never having to lean on supernatural or otherworldly element for twists, this is the kind of situation you might hear about on the news, just enhanced for dramatic purposes. The story asks us to swallow some large assumptions at times, but given the nature of the antagonist involved, it is all believable within the film’s confines. As with all thrillers, this one delivers in terms of tension and suspense, but director John Dahl (Rounders) never eases off those traits, so this one bears down full steam from start to finish, quite a ride indeed. If you’re a fan of thrillers, then Joy Ride is highly recommended and is worth a purchase, without a doubt.
His career is just kicking off and it is clear there aren’t too many Oscars in his future, but Paul Walker is still making a name for himself with audiences. He seems to have the needed look and charisma to pull off a role like this, which is good, since his pure skills in acting don’t amount to a whole lot. But as long as he remains in these kind of roles and has some talent around him, he can command the screen and be fun to watch, without a doubt. He loses a few steps when things turn really serious and falls back even more when doom looms, but in the normal moments and lighter times, he comes off very well, I think. Other films with Walker include The Fast and the Furious, Varsity Blues, Pleasantville, The Skulls, and Meet the Deedles. The cast also includes Steve Zahn (Saving Silverman, Reality Bites), Leelee Sobieski (The Glass House, Eyes Wide Shut), and Jessica Bowman (Derailed, Lethal Vows).
Video: How does it look?
Joy Ride is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. This film has a dark, very dark visual scheme and while a few hiccups can be seen, this is still a top notch transfer and fans should be pleased. I saw a little more grain than expected, as well as some softness, but given the dark, complex visuals, I can forgive some small mistakes. The contrast seems to be dead on, with rich black levels that never obscure detail, although a couple of scenes do look soft, though only to a minor degree. I found the colors to be well presented, though brown and darker hues dominate, at least in most scenes. A few small flaws aside, this is a terrific looking visual effort and as per usual, Fox proves they can deliver on all fronts.
Audio: How does it sound?
A good thriller has plenty of tense moments and if the audio is well presented, it can enhance the tension tenfold, if not more. Joy Ride has numerous scenes that take full use of the surrounds and really drive home the tension, which of course, means those sequences have more impact and suspense. The chase scenes come to life with creative use of the speakers, but even the more subtle, reserved moments have good depth, which is always excellent news. But the dialogue is never hampered as a result in this 5.1 track, nor does the music get stiffed, so no worries on those two fronts in the least. This disc also includes 2.0 surround options in English and French, as well as English and Spanish subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Fox has gone all out with this disc, slapping on not one, but three audio commentary tracks and each proved to be worthwhile. The first is an informative session with director John Dahl, the second is a trip inside the material with writers Clay Tarver & J.J. Abrams, and the final one is with cast members Leelee Sobieski & Steve Zahn. The tracks cover all the perspectives involved and really open up a lot of information, very cool indeed. This disc also includes a total of four alternate, never before seen endings, which I won’t spoil, but I will say each one changes the entire landscape of the picture. Another cool feature is “More Than One Rusty Nail,” in which you can compare other audition tapes with the final choice to play the mad trucker, Ted Levine. It was neat to listen to the other takes, but Levine was the obvious choice and comes off as the creepiest, hands down. A brief behind the scenes featurette, deleted scene, and the film’s theatrical trailer. If you’re so inclined, you can also enable a special mode where an icon appears at times, then you click your remote and either a deleted scene or alternate ending sequence is played.
