Thursday, October 16, 2008

MOVIE REVIEW: Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead

I had a feeling this straight-to-DVD sequel would be horrible. I love the original and think it's one of the creepiest movies I've ever seen. I still get freaked out by transport trucks following me for some reason.

Surprisingly, Joy Ride 2 wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Obviously it's nowhere near as good as the first one, but I was mildly entertained.

A couple is heading to Vegas for a joint bachelor/ bachelorette party with the bride's sister. Along the way, they meet up with a guy the bride's sister met on the internet, who the couple takes an instant disliking to. Of course they decide to take a "shortcut" and surprise surprise their car breaks down. There's only one house in the area, and when they break in they find the phone doesn't work. So they steal - I mean borrow - the home owner's muscle car that has a nifty CB radio. The bride-to-be leaves a note with her cell phone number to make sure he doesn't think it's stolen. The car is Rusty Nail's of course, who kidnaps the groom to make things even. He wants to play a game, which is sort of like truth or dare, but with mutilation.

It's not scary or creepy at all, but it has some humour in it. I laughed a lot during this movie. Especially when the tough emo/punk guy had to dress up as a woman.

Joy Ride 2 is also more gory than the first. It definitely fits in with the torture porn trend. There's lots of blood, deaths and a torture scene.

This was the only movie (out of four) I watched on Thanksgiving weekend that I didn't fall asleep during, so I guess this earns some points for that. It kept me entertained, had lots of gore and some humour, which I think makes it a good horror film. But on the other hand, it was half as good as the original and not scary or creepy whatsoever. I'm on the fence on this one. I guess I thought it was okay, so I'll give it a 3/5.

Rating: 3/5

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