Joy Ride 3: Roadkil
Director: Declan O'Brien
Starring: Jesse Hutch, Kirsten Prout, Ben Hollingsworth, Dean Armstrong, Ken Kirzinger
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Enterainment
Release Date: June 17, 2014
Retail: $29.99
ASIN: B00JF5GAY6
Running Time: 96 minutes
Rating: UNRATED
Review:
Arriving on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on Tuesday June 17, 2014 is Joy Ride 3: Roadkill UNRATED. The second sequel in the thriller franchise is directed by Declan O'Brien (Wrong Turn 3 - 5) and stars Jesse Hutch (Kyle XY), Kristen Prout (Kyle XY, The Lying Game), Ben Hollingsworth (The Tomorrow People), Dean Armstrong (Wrong Turn 4) and Ken Kirzinger (Freddy vs Jason). Special Features include Road Rage: The Blood, Sweat And Gears Of Joy Ride 3, Riding Shotgun With Declan: Director's Die-Aries; Finding Large Marge, audio commentary and deleted scenes.
The original Joy Ride thrilled critics in 2001 and became a blockbuster in rentals. The film was co-written by J. J. Abrams and starred the late Paul Walker, Steve Zahnand and Leelee Sobieski. The film chronicled two brothers and their friend who are tormented by a crazed trucker, Rusty Nails. Seven years later (minus the original cast) a direct-to-DVD sequel, Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead was released.
Besides from the killer trucker Rusty Nails, no other previous characters return for the third installment, Joy Ride 3: Roadkill. The sequel centers on Jordan Wells (played by Jesse Hutch) and group of friends, who are all heading to Road Rally 1000 to enter his racing car. Sadly, the group take a wrong turn down the "massacre road" and have an encounter with a semi-truck, which happens to have Rusty Nails (played by Ken Kirzinger) behind the wheel. Jordan and his gang are hunted down by the crazed trucker driver, leading them all down a path to hell.
Being a big of the fan of the franchise, I was eagerly looking forward to reviewing the third installment. Going direct-to-DVD/Blu-ray means the producers could amp up the nudity and violence and avoid the R rating by slapping the word "UNRATED" on the film. What we get is an opening sex scene with a meth head couple, whom happen to mess with Rusty and you can probably guess what Rusty does with them. Unlike the first two films, I didn't like the main character, Jordan. I don't expect any major character developments in a horror film, but Declan O'Brien could have written better dialogue. Plus, Jesse Hutch gave a wooden performance, barely pronouncing his lines. The rest of the cast are unlikeable as well.
While the first film wa s a thriller, each new installments sways into the torture-porn genre with Rusty using either using his truck or an automotive to murder his victims. For the horror fans, there is plenty of graphic violence. If you are looking for an actual plot, then you'll be disappointed. If you have seen the other movies, then you will know Rusty is never fully seen on screen, but the this installment Rusty is seen for the entire film. I was disappointed that Declan O'Brien didn't go with a supernatural theme that was hinted at the end of the second film, Overall, Joy Ride 3: Roadkill UNRATED offers nothing new for the franchise except for bad acting and a cliched plot. I'm not saying it is completely bad, as there are a few interesting moments that horror fans will enjoy.
*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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