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Overall Rating : 5.5/10
Directed By : John Shiban
Jaimie Alexander (Watch Over Me (TV) )
Joey Mendicino
Deanna Russo
Joseph Lawrence (The Pool 2)
Supplied By : Warner Home Video
Film Reviewed By : Rick L. Blalock
Date Reviewed : Oct. 8, 2006
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| PLOT While on a road trip with her boyfriend, a young woman is pulled into a cat-and-mouse game with a deranged psychopath, after her boyfriend is abducted at the rest stop |
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| THE REVIEW In REST STOP, we follow a couple on their journey from Texas to California, namely Los Angeles. Jesse, an aspiring Actor has finally convinced reluctant Nicole to join him, as she now finds it as a mean to escape her parents. On the drive the couple are nearly ran off the road by a stranger in a beat up yellow truck, it is then when Jesse gets out of the vehicle to confront the driver - a move in which they both would later regret. With the issue seemingly at ease the couple later stop at a local rest stop - Nicole uses the bathroom comes back and predictably her Boyfriend is nowhere in sight. Nichole suspects the man in the truck to be at fault for the disappearance and finds it to be the grim truth shortly after when he returns for her, within the confines of the rest stop. REST STOP is the first film under the Raw Feed film banner housed by Warner Home Video. In this new and unique brand of films, founders John Shiban, Tony Krantz and Daniel Myrick, plan to deliver a series of Direct to video Horror, Sci-Fi, and Thriller titles, that promise to possess an "edge". Seeing as REST STOP is the first film in this distinct genre series, it is safe to say we are in for some very great things, as REST STOP does not fail to deliver non-stop action! When one looks at the synopsis of the film, any devoted Horror fan will be quick to notice that this film has the typical clichéd setup, and if you are looking for originality in REST STOP you will not find it. When watching the film it will be easy for, again that avid viewer to spot many similarities between REST STOP and films such as JEEPERS CREEPERS, TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 2, 3 and even the god-awful fourth TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE : THE NEXT GENERATION - just to name a few as there are many instances(too many to be exact) that I could cite. Usually most viewers would be so hung up on how many films REST STOP has "ripped off" that they won't even give the film a chance and to see that, yes, this film is well-rounded, suspenseful fun...plain and simple. WE I viewed this film, I wasn't looking at every aspect in great detail, I just wanted to be entertained, and entertained I was. With all of this said, REST STOP does take awhile to get off the ground and is slow as the two characters begin their journey from Texas to California, but then as the story progresses things begin to pick up as the two venture onto a highway not on the map(reminding me vividly of TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 3). Also one thing that hurts the film is that the whole thing basically takes place in one location and even though we get treated to visions of the killer's hideout where his helpless victims are tortured(an abandoned school bus) we never actually visit the location. Not actually having scenes that take place in the old bus was rather a disappointment, as it looked really cool, I would have loved to have seen some drawn out torture scenes....but that's just me. Those are a few things that hurt the film but as for things that actually work, I found quite a few. I always tend to love films that never really show us who the killer is, and REST STOP happens to be one of those. For most of the film, the Killer's face and identity is a big dirty yellow truck(think Spielberg's DUEL) and his name is, "KZL-303" - his license plate number (a hint of JEEPERS CREEPERS), and other than that we are left in the dark as far as his appearance - spare a glimpse of his teeth as he viciously bites Nichole's finger off later in the film. And lastly, the film tries something a little different and adds a little Sci-Fi in the mix of the grisly macabre action of the film. Early on we learn that the killer is some sort "superhuman" as he has been torturing all who have come through the rest stop for years on end, when Nichole is visited by Tracy a victim from 1971, who later disappears. As far as the acting goes, I was rather pleasantly surprised. The film relies on the rather strong showing from actress Jaimie Alexander, as the "Heroine" Nichole. I have read another review, from another writer, who claimed that they found Jaimie's character to be unbelievable - however I feel the opposite, In the beginning of the film, the character of Nichole is quiet and repressed and by film's end she is some sort of brave warrior combating a monster - for me it was quite convincing. Joseph Lawrence is here and is probably the most well-known cast member as he portrays the ill-fated Officer Deacon. I don't know about you, but since I am honest, i'll admit that Joey has always annoyed me a bit and I really never care for his films at all, but surprisingly he fares well here, as he is convincing in his relatively short role. Joey Mendicino plays Jesse the abducted boyfriend of Nichole. I would've liked to have seen more of him but before we know it the poor guy is abducted bound and tortured by our face-less killer... Overall I saw REST STOP as an old school Horror film, it has a slick look and feel and sports the special effects of a high-end film at it's low budget. The film may not be the most original, or have the most developed plot, but the acting and the way the suspense and the killer was handled though out. was enough to keep me hooked....I feel the film was meant to be a good old fashion slasher and that is exactly what REST STOP is, nothing more, or nothing less. | ||||
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| GORE
METER 5.5/10 The gore in REST STOP was highly impressive, and could possibly rival films such as a SAW or HOSTEL, very effective. |
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| MUSICAL
SCORE 5/10 The score was comprised of many southern rock tracks with a little bit of country, not the typical Horror score, but it happens to work. |
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| OVERALL
IMPRESSION OF THE FILM I liked REST STOP, I am a huge fan of these types of films and even if the plot has been done a million times over, I still somehow find myself enjoying them. However I do understand that some viewers may not take watching them over and over as kindly as I do and I respect that. In my opinion as I have previously stated, REST STOP is a great action slasher film and I could only hope that this film is a sign of things to come from Warner's Raw Feed outlet. This DVD will be available on October 17, 2006 |
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