"Highwaymen" marks the return of director Robert Harmon and composer Mark Isham to the subgenre of road-film terror they all but established in 1986's landmark horror film, "The Hitcher." Whereas that film coasted on the ambiguity of Eric Red's minimalist script and the bizarre chemistry between a psychopath (Rutger Hauer) and his victim (C. Thomas Howell), "Highwaymen" is a much 'cleaner' version of that film--cleaner in terms of cinematography, violence, and overall appearance. It's an extremely glossy production with well-choreographed action and razor-sharp editing that places you in the midst of chaos rather than just assaulting your senses. Jim Caviezel's jaded victim exudes the right notes of obsession and exhaustion, and Rhona Mitra's pseudo-Sandra Bullock looks go a long way as she joins up to hunt down Fargo (Colm Feore, looking like a refugee from David Cronenberg's "Crash"), a killer who uses his souped-up 1972 El Dorado as a weapon. As he did in "The Hitcher," Harmon shows confident skill in photography, editing, and the decision to keep villain Fargo off camera for the first hour, thereby upping the suspense considerably. Isham's musical score sets a proper mood and is just as effective as his previous work. Where "Highwaymen" comes up short is in its straightforward, bare-bones story (padded out somewhat by the addition of Frankie Faison's traffic investigator); clocking in at a paltry 81 minutes (including end credits), one gets the impression that characters could have been developed further and more action sequences could have been infused into the film. As it stands, "Highwaymen" is in too much of a hurry, but remains a diverting, fine-tuned thriller all the same.
78 Reviews
Hey it was pretty good, didn't get the distribution it deserved
darkcybergeek27 March 2004
To me this movie was very good and fun. Many people are saying that this movie was bad, but judging by the trailer will you go see this movie expecting an Oscar winner? HELL NO! You just go see it just for fun. By watching the trailer you know what to expect, thrills, gore, chases, the fun stuff! The chase/action sequences were really intense and fun to watch. It was very well shot and some of the slow motion shots looked very nice. The acting was pretty good from all of the characters and made them a bit liakable but still i didn't cared who died and the characters were way more dumb than most movies. One of the main problem with this movie is that it was really short, and it could have had some character development, the scenes with the characters talking felt too rushed. The score was notting to be amazed by, it was too well normal. Some of the deaths were violent but notting too over the top. Still i enjoyed this movie very much, it was exactly what i expected a fun thrilling ride. Could have been better of course but what the heck. Go see it if you wanna have some fun with it, just don't take it seriously like most people on this board. (Forgive me if i wrote something wrong, since my first language is Spanish well i sometimes forget how to write some words).
S10 Reviews: Highwaymen (2003)
suspiria1020 July 2005
As if driving the city streets wasn't killer enough add to the terror of car pooling the new thriller by Robert Harmon (The Hitcher / They). Driving from state-to-state from sea-to-shining-sea is a new maniac Fargo (Feore). Fargo is an ex-insurance agent stalking women via hit and run with none other than a 1972 El Dorado. His newest mark is Molly (Mitra), a poor girl if ever there is one, who lost her parents in a car crash and is being toyed with by Fargo. Her only chance of survival is Rennie (Caviezel) who has also suffered loss because of the motor maniac when his wife became one of his early victims. Hunting down Fargo has become Rennie's one and only obsession and no one will get in the way of his vengeance.
Director Robert Harmon returns to the road with this his new (albeit long delayed) thriller. I didn't expect a whole lot due to the releasing woes the film has had which culminated in it being dumped on home video after a woeful limited release. Strangely enough it was a good, fast paced revenge flick that moved about as fast as the souped-up Barracuda driven by none other than Christ himself. Some nice camera-work adds to the tension of several sequences involving car wrecks and attacks. The film also had some nice photography of the open toad too. The sound design was a hit with a very powerful dts track to highlight all that car action. The acting was what you expect from a script that isn't driven by characters but by steel and asphalt.
If you are able to overlook some glaring plot inconsistencies and an occasional implausible set piece then you might like Highwaymen. I was pleasantly surprised. But if you are DVD aficionado the disc offers no special features. Well worth a look.
Director Robert Harmon returns to the road with this his new (albeit long delayed) thriller. I didn't expect a whole lot due to the releasing woes the film has had which culminated in it being dumped on home video after a woeful limited release. Strangely enough it was a good, fast paced revenge flick that moved about as fast as the souped-up Barracuda driven by none other than Christ himself. Some nice camera-work adds to the tension of several sequences involving car wrecks and attacks. The film also had some nice photography of the open toad too. The sound design was a hit with a very powerful dts track to highlight all that car action. The acting was what you expect from a script that isn't driven by characters but by steel and asphalt.
If you are able to overlook some glaring plot inconsistencies and an occasional implausible set piece then you might like Highwaymen. I was pleasantly surprised. But if you are DVD aficionado the disc offers no special features. Well worth a look.
Fantastic Car Film
director37 September 2004
It is great to finally get a film that doesn't run to the safety of digital video, computer special effects, and loud music.
"Highwaymen" finally gives us a thriller, that avoids all the crutches of the mainstream film-making that we have seen in the last few years. The stunts are all metal cars crashing into each other - no fancy effects (i.e. Nic Cage jumping a bridge in a digital mustang during the cheesy "Gone in 60 seconds" remake). Here we have car doors getting ripped off and then actually being replaced with second-hand parts by the characters in the film - a realistic car chase film. Finally.
The music, by Mark Isham, is very simple and very scary. It brings back memories of "Halloween" and "Nightmare on Elm Street" - when filmmakers knew how to use frequencies to build tension. There is no Brittany Spears or Metallica singles on the soundtrack, indicating that at least one filmmaker still can hold his own, and not fall to the popular vote when designing a film's soundtrack.
The acting is excellent - Jim Caviezel is great.
The cinematography is first class - and on film, which is refreshing when much of the movie takes place at night and many filmmakers get scared and run to video nowadays (Michael Mann "Collateral"). Great land scapes and long empty roads are brilliantly photographed by cinematographer Rene Ohashi.
By far the best are the sound effects. All the car engine sounds are greatly accurate - from the Barricuda's Hemi to El Dorado's big block - all sounds are accurately placed and brilliantly timed. This, and all the great car-talk within the dialogue makes for a true car film that anyone who loved the old car chase films of the late 60's to the late 70's, would greatly enjoy this one as well.
"Highwaymen" finally gives us a thriller, that avoids all the crutches of the mainstream film-making that we have seen in the last few years. The stunts are all metal cars crashing into each other - no fancy effects (i.e. Nic Cage jumping a bridge in a digital mustang during the cheesy "Gone in 60 seconds" remake). Here we have car doors getting ripped off and then actually being replaced with second-hand parts by the characters in the film - a realistic car chase film. Finally.
The music, by Mark Isham, is very simple and very scary. It brings back memories of "Halloween" and "Nightmare on Elm Street" - when filmmakers knew how to use frequencies to build tension. There is no Brittany Spears or Metallica singles on the soundtrack, indicating that at least one filmmaker still can hold his own, and not fall to the popular vote when designing a film's soundtrack.
The acting is excellent - Jim Caviezel is great.
The cinematography is first class - and on film, which is refreshing when much of the movie takes place at night and many filmmakers get scared and run to video nowadays (Michael Mann "Collateral"). Great land scapes and long empty roads are brilliantly photographed by cinematographer Rene Ohashi.
By far the best are the sound effects. All the car engine sounds are greatly accurate - from the Barricuda's Hemi to El Dorado's big block - all sounds are accurately placed and brilliantly timed. This, and all the great car-talk within the dialogue makes for a true car film that anyone who loved the old car chase films of the late 60's to the late 70's, would greatly enjoy this one as well.
Kind Of A Grade 'B' 'Hitcher'
ccthemovieman-115 March 2006
If you are familiar with "The Hitcher," with Rutger Hauer, and liked it, you might like this one. The main difference in the two movies is that in here, the killer never leaves his car. It's not as intense or well-made as the former, but Highwaymen is decent enough for one look. It's very short so you aren't going to be wasting the whole day, anyway.
The story in a nutshell: a serial killer runs down a young woman in his car at random and is not caught for years until Jim Caviezel, whose wife also was a victim of the killer, figures out it's the same guy, and tracks him down for a showdown of his own.
The film starts out well, and is very intense, but loses momentum in the second half. Boredom isn't the problem, it's the credibility of the story. There are just too many holes in the plot and nothing becomes credible. It's no wonder this movie never got much publicity: it has too much of a "B" feel to it, despite Caviezel's presence.
However, it is entertaining and the actual running time of the story is a mere 76 minutes, so if you're looking for an hour-and-a-quarter of escapism, this is it.
The story in a nutshell: a serial killer runs down a young woman in his car at random and is not caught for years until Jim Caviezel, whose wife also was a victim of the killer, figures out it's the same guy, and tracks him down for a showdown of his own.
The film starts out well, and is very intense, but loses momentum in the second half. Boredom isn't the problem, it's the credibility of the story. There are just too many holes in the plot and nothing becomes credible. It's no wonder this movie never got much publicity: it has too much of a "B" feel to it, despite Caviezel's presence.
However, it is entertaining and the actual running time of the story is a mere 76 minutes, so if you're looking for an hour-and-a-quarter of escapism, this is it.
A great flick to eat popcorn with.
crueltwistoffate5 July 2005
I had heard about this flick awhile back and never got the chance to see it on the big screen because New Line had to go limited release(which is just dumb) so hardly anyone got to see this film which is a shame because it's a real great flick. From the opening moments I was thrown into the world of the film was never bored.Director Robert Harmon does a great job of shooting car chases the way they're never been shot before. The film is more a slasher than anything:it's got the killer who kills with his car,you got Jesus himself,James Caviezel,out on a mission to stop him at all cost and the lovely Rhona Mitra as the woman cought inbetween.Words cannot descibe how cool this film is,the action is bad a$$ and the use of the way they used the car as a weapon was great. Now while this movie isn't perfect, it is a great show and slasher logic does apply to it, if you wanted real world logic than go watch a drama or something...if you want to kick back and watch a cool flick than this is it. Much props go out to director Robert Harmon for bringing out this great film and much love to Rhona Mitra for looking so hot.
A helpful opinion.
crewdcut20 January 2006
First off, with the creator of "THE HITCHER", I was hoping for a real thriller, a joy ride of some suspense intensely centered around some real scenes of action and personal pain with what people go through in these situations. But all I was left with was watching a very predictable film with unrealistic and comical deliveries of farce. I found myself laughing at some of the hit and run scenes. Honestly I thought that when professionals created movies their would be a sense of wonder and amazement instead of quick and eye-rolling stupidity. I think the next time they let the same writer and director match up and do another movie they should just call it "TRASH". HIGHWAYMEN, all i can say is, "take the bus".
Not The Hitcher but not bad
paulnewman200121 September 2004
It's been 18 years and a long time in the TV movie/Van Damme C-list wilderness since Robert Harmon screeched onto the big screen with the acrid blend of scorching oil and hot blood that was The Hitcher. With Highwaymen, he's back in the familiar territory of eerie desert landscapes, lonesome blacktop unspooling to the horizon and two men engaged in a dance of death so ritualised and implausible that it's near-mythic. Rennie Cray (Jim Caviezel) is a vengeful fury, prowling the interstates in a battered Plymouth Barracuda as he stalks the hit-and-run killer who brutally murdered his wife five years previously. This deadly game of tag has left his nemesis James Fargo (Colm Feore) a spite-filled human wreck of broken flesh and prosthetic limbs lashed together with harnesses and straps in his customised Cadillac, taunting Cray with newspaper cuttings of his fresh kills. Caught in the middle is Molly (Rhona Mitra), a survivor of Fargo's latest attack and most likely his next target. Harmon doesn't get bogged down in logic and back story for this fusion of Duel and Crash; indeed, his sketched-in biographies for each protagonist feel welded on as an afterthought. Mitra's got nothing to do but look very fetching as she plays buffeted pawn-in-the-middle, but that's okay because Caviezel and Feore are only required to look grim and tormented as they have at each other time and again on the battleground of the highway. It's a tight 72 minutes but the director still takes time to capture the alien mood of the desert, a landscape further imbued with mystery by Mark Isham's effective electronic score. In marked contrast is Harmon's eroticisation of the car, the camera's lingering fascination with the scars of road accidents, wince-inducing moments of impact and the gunning engines pouring from the soundtrack like the howls of coupling dragons. The climax is appropriately downbeat save for a crummy last scene kiss-off and plot holes the size of Arizona open up when you stop to think about it, but this is a movie best enjoyed in the moment.
Unbelieavble
markymarky4 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
First off, I am a great fan of The Hitcher (Director Robert Harmon's best film in my view) and Jim Caviezel (superb actor). So you would think Highwaymen was made especially for me. I saw the trailer a while back and it looked right down my street. However - it was quite hard to get here in Ireland but eventually I picked it up in GameStop for 8 Euro - good value. Or so I thought.
The start was great - straight in, no messing around. Caviezel's wife is killed by a hit and run in a thrilling opening scene. The fact that not one word is uttered for the first 8 minutes of screen time but yet the effect on the audience is not diminished is testament to the director's handling. In fact 15 minutes go by before Caviezel says his first words - not bad work for a 77 minute film.
However, things go downhill from the beginning.
The tunnel crash seemed a little lethargic and contrived for me. Full marks to what seems like a non-CGI aided stunt but the action was a little stunted (excuse the pun) and looked like slow motion. then we start getting into the realms on unbelievability. 1. Macklin has to show ID as a cop to get through a cordon of cops outside the tunnel. Who is already inside? Wandering around untroubled? Caviezel. How did he get in?
2. Caviezel then proceeds to look at the crash scene and pick up vital evidence from the road while a hundred cops / medics / firemen etc. swarm the area. And not only that but Macklin spots him and then lets him away with it.
3. Then Macklin sees Rhona Mitra's character huddled 8 feet off the ground. What? None of the other 100 cops/medics/firemen etc. saw her sitting in plain view up there? Come on?
4. Mitra is then in a hospital bed and guess who is standing beside her? Yep - Caviezel. Again, this guy seems to be able to pop up anywhere he likes without been stopped by anyone.
I could go on like this through the whole film to be honest but it would become tiresome in this review....as it was while watching. Plot wasn't one of the strong points in this film as things just happen for the sake of moving the story along - there is no explanation or even reason for these things. Tasting oil, pressure guaging a radiator, Caviezel appearing at a counseling session out of the blue, finding the killer's stopover garage in the middle of nowhere etc. etc.
Some of the camera work is good - helicopter scene following the car through a mountainous river scene is sumptuous in the extreme - beautiful. But some of it is downright bad - interior shots in the same scene by mountains are simply lazy.
Some stunts are good and inventive - chain pulling the car upside down - but a lot lack real tension (tunnel, ending). The music was good and creepy. In the end - a poor storyline really let's the whole project down.
The DVD's scene navigation was great and far superior to some of the main film's work - which is never a good sign.
5/10.
The start was great - straight in, no messing around. Caviezel's wife is killed by a hit and run in a thrilling opening scene. The fact that not one word is uttered for the first 8 minutes of screen time but yet the effect on the audience is not diminished is testament to the director's handling. In fact 15 minutes go by before Caviezel says his first words - not bad work for a 77 minute film.
However, things go downhill from the beginning.
The tunnel crash seemed a little lethargic and contrived for me. Full marks to what seems like a non-CGI aided stunt but the action was a little stunted (excuse the pun) and looked like slow motion. then we start getting into the realms on unbelievability. 1. Macklin has to show ID as a cop to get through a cordon of cops outside the tunnel. Who is already inside? Wandering around untroubled? Caviezel. How did he get in?
2. Caviezel then proceeds to look at the crash scene and pick up vital evidence from the road while a hundred cops / medics / firemen etc. swarm the area. And not only that but Macklin spots him and then lets him away with it.
3. Then Macklin sees Rhona Mitra's character huddled 8 feet off the ground. What? None of the other 100 cops/medics/firemen etc. saw her sitting in plain view up there? Come on?
4. Mitra is then in a hospital bed and guess who is standing beside her? Yep - Caviezel. Again, this guy seems to be able to pop up anywhere he likes without been stopped by anyone.
I could go on like this through the whole film to be honest but it would become tiresome in this review....as it was while watching. Plot wasn't one of the strong points in this film as things just happen for the sake of moving the story along - there is no explanation or even reason for these things. Tasting oil, pressure guaging a radiator, Caviezel appearing at a counseling session out of the blue, finding the killer's stopover garage in the middle of nowhere etc. etc.
Some of the camera work is good - helicopter scene following the car through a mountainous river scene is sumptuous in the extreme - beautiful. But some of it is downright bad - interior shots in the same scene by mountains are simply lazy.
Some stunts are good and inventive - chain pulling the car upside down - but a lot lack real tension (tunnel, ending). The music was good and creepy. In the end - a poor storyline really let's the whole project down.
The DVD's scene navigation was great and far superior to some of the main film's work - which is never a good sign.
5/10.
It's no Hitcher but it's still silly fun.
sithstalker-757896 April 2021
Look this film ain't gonna wow audiences and I'm pretty sure there's some enormous plot holes if you dive that far into it, but the concepts kool, the cars sound awesome and all the actors do their jobs pretty well too.
I think the cars really are the star of the show here but all the actors Cavaziel, Mitra and Faison bring enough here to entertain. Personally I would have a liked a bit more backstory for Feores character but maybe that's just me.
Fun popcorn flick that ain't gonna be everyone's cuppa tea but if you like thrillers with a thread of a story, nice sounding cars and pretty good acting then it's a cheeky hour and 17 minutes plus credits.
TLDR- Cars that sounds awesome, nice driving scene's, okay acting. I enjoyed it.
I think the cars really are the star of the show here but all the actors Cavaziel, Mitra and Faison bring enough here to entertain. Personally I would have a liked a bit more backstory for Feores character but maybe that's just me.
Fun popcorn flick that ain't gonna be everyone's cuppa tea but if you like thrillers with a thread of a story, nice sounding cars and pretty good acting then it's a cheeky hour and 17 minutes plus credits.
TLDR- Cars that sounds awesome, nice driving scene's, okay acting. I enjoyed it.
A Movie of Stunts
claudio_carvalho13 July 2005
James 'Rennie' Cray (Jim Caviezel) is a man who has been chasing the psychopath Fargo (Colm Feore) for years. Fargo kills lonely women in roads, and Rennie's beloved wife was one of his victims. When the traumatized Molly (Rhone Mitra) escapes from Fargo in a tunnel, Rennie uses her as bait to attract Fargo and eliminate him.
"Highwaymen" is a movie with great action scenes, but also having an imbecile, incredible and full of clichés story. Indeed it is a movie of stunts, which wastes the good actors Jim Caviezel and Colm Feore. It is very impressive the scene, in the beginning of the story, when Fargo runs over Rennie's wife. I found amazing the resemblance between the actress Rhona Mitra and Sandra Bullock. Therefore, "Highwaymen" is a forgettable movie, indicated for killing time only. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "Velozes e Mortais" ("Fast and Mortals")
"Highwaymen" is a movie with great action scenes, but also having an imbecile, incredible and full of clichés story. Indeed it is a movie of stunts, which wastes the good actors Jim Caviezel and Colm Feore. It is very impressive the scene, in the beginning of the story, when Fargo runs over Rennie's wife. I found amazing the resemblance between the actress Rhona Mitra and Sandra Bullock. Therefore, "Highwaymen" is a forgettable movie, indicated for killing time only. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "Velozes e Mortais" ("Fast and Mortals")
Better than you might think
neilcooper88819 August 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Just the way I like my movies; doesn't mess around getting to what the story is all about and because it's only 72 min's, you don't have to wait an eternity for plot resolution to occur. You are launched into the movie headlong by the opening scene. Ends, as is usual with many American movies, with the obligatory mass of police vehicles & ambulances all parked with their lights flashing. It would be interesting to compile a list of how many movies end with such a scene and pan out to finish the film. Getting a bit tired I would have thought.
A short, sharp, dramatic, emotion evoking ride.
A short, sharp, dramatic, emotion evoking ride.
Just bought it and enjoyed it! Surprisingly...
arterberry5 March 2005
Granted, this movie seemed as if it went from theater to DVD in less than a blink of an eye, but don't let that dissuade you from ordering a copy from Amazon. Hmmm
did it make to theaters? I remember seeing the trailer in theaters
In all honesty, the film has a simple quality, and the acting is almost B-Movie noir, but it was fun nonetheless. It is a simple hero versus bad guy story that severely needs a re-release, special edition DVD on the ten year mark! Believe it or not, the movie is well freaking done (minus a few visually missed queues and a question about the hero and his source of income might come into play
) For some reason, (and I say this because of the close up shots of the actors during the driving scenes) certain camera angles appeared like old movie making scenes, where outside the car, the images looked projected. Outside of that, the movie formula comes to life when you finally have a moment to see Colm Feore, Mister Antagonist himself. He looks like what Darth Vader would have been if the technology was just slightly under budget.
If you're a story writer (shorts, screenplays, novellas, etc.) who needs a push, or a spark, then rent or buy this DVD. You will spend time thinking of what you could do to make it better but in all you will appreciate the movie for its worth and merit. The story is David versus Goliath, and the only advantage our hero has is his revenge for his wife's death, and the bad guy well he's just plain nuts. This review may seem a little mixed but I based it on the way I approached the film. I wanted to see a simple, low budget action flick that could hold my interest and this one did that. Mind you, there are some slight plots issues and some character development needs, but then if I had the amount of money that was budgeted for this film, then I probably would make it the same way. Check it out for yourself you'll have fun but then you'll pick through the parts that seemed a bit trite just as you would pick through your teeth after a good meal.
If you're a story writer (shorts, screenplays, novellas, etc.) who needs a push, or a spark, then rent or buy this DVD. You will spend time thinking of what you could do to make it better but in all you will appreciate the movie for its worth and merit. The story is David versus Goliath, and the only advantage our hero has is his revenge for his wife's death, and the bad guy well he's just plain nuts. This review may seem a little mixed but I based it on the way I approached the film. I wanted to see a simple, low budget action flick that could hold my interest and this one did that. Mind you, there are some slight plots issues and some character development needs, but then if I had the amount of money that was budgeted for this film, then I probably would make it the same way. Check it out for yourself you'll have fun but then you'll pick through the parts that seemed a bit trite just as you would pick through your teeth after a good meal.
Good premise, poor resolution.
mario_c30 July 2009
HIGHWAYMEN is a suspense thriller which has a good premise. The main idea is kind of original and I must say I appreciated the beginning. But when the plot starts developing I think it starts losing its original impact turning into a average "psycho killer" story. The ending is very predictable and poor. With a strong beginning like that, I was expecting something better.
Somehow this movie made me remind MAD MAX, not because of the plot, since it's completely different, but mainly because of the cars, and the two highway men.
The acting is not bad but as told the plot is too simple and predictable. I think a good main idea like that would deserve a better plot resolution I score it 5/10.
Somehow this movie made me remind MAD MAX, not because of the plot, since it's completely different, but mainly because of the cars, and the two highway men.
The acting is not bad but as told the plot is too simple and predictable. I think a good main idea like that would deserve a better plot resolution I score it 5/10.
He saw her..He toyed with her..He killed her., And then he came after ME!
sol12184 March 2005
**SPOILERS** The movie "Highwaymen" that takes place on the wide open roads of California is a fairly entertaining as well as interesting film if you overlook some of the major inconsistencies of it's plot. A homicidal driver Fargo, Clom Feore,who's mode of operations is running down, and killing, young women drives his car into and kills James "Rennie" Cray, James Cavlezel, young and beautiful wife Olivia, Guylaine St.Onge,right before his eyes.
Tracking the killer down James slam his car into him causing Fargo to lose an arm a leg and an eye. That action also puts James behind bars for three years for vehicular homicide. Out of jail and still looking for his wife's killer James connects a string of hit-and-run "accidents" to Fargo and starts to close in on him. Fargo after his accident is more robot then man and as James puts it "His body is his car". Fargo begins to play a deadly cat-and-mouse game with James that soon involves Molly, Rhona Mitra, who herself had been traumatized as a little girl when she survived a car accident that killed both her parents.
James Cavlezel is so glum and serious in the film that he acts as if he on a mission from God to stop and apprehend or kill the mad motorist, Fargo, from his deadly rounds of killing people all over the state.
Clom Feore is both weird and terrifying as the machine-like killer who uses his car as an ingenious and effective killing device. This despite his serious disability is more then a match for the entire California Highway Police Department.
Rhona Mitra is both pretty and courageous as Molly the person who Fargo has in his sights as his next victim and who's used, somewhat unwillingly, as bait by James to trap and catch him. Frankie Falson is a reluctant hero as State Traffic Investagator Will Macklin who doesn't carry and never shot a gun in his life. It was Will who put the crazed Fargo's rampage of murder on the roads and highways to flaming and bloody end.
The movies many action scenes, that are really stunning, includes a heart-stopping car and truck smash-up in a traffic tunnel that seemed to have be done without the use of any computer-enhanced special effects, thats so common in movies like "Highwaymen" today, that made it all that more startling and effective.
Tracking the killer down James slam his car into him causing Fargo to lose an arm a leg and an eye. That action also puts James behind bars for three years for vehicular homicide. Out of jail and still looking for his wife's killer James connects a string of hit-and-run "accidents" to Fargo and starts to close in on him. Fargo after his accident is more robot then man and as James puts it "His body is his car". Fargo begins to play a deadly cat-and-mouse game with James that soon involves Molly, Rhona Mitra, who herself had been traumatized as a little girl when she survived a car accident that killed both her parents.
James Cavlezel is so glum and serious in the film that he acts as if he on a mission from God to stop and apprehend or kill the mad motorist, Fargo, from his deadly rounds of killing people all over the state.
Clom Feore is both weird and terrifying as the machine-like killer who uses his car as an ingenious and effective killing device. This despite his serious disability is more then a match for the entire California Highway Police Department.
Rhona Mitra is both pretty and courageous as Molly the person who Fargo has in his sights as his next victim and who's used, somewhat unwillingly, as bait by James to trap and catch him. Frankie Falson is a reluctant hero as State Traffic Investagator Will Macklin who doesn't carry and never shot a gun in his life. It was Will who put the crazed Fargo's rampage of murder on the roads and highways to flaming and bloody end.
The movies many action scenes, that are really stunning, includes a heart-stopping car and truck smash-up in a traffic tunnel that seemed to have be done without the use of any computer-enhanced special effects, thats so common in movies like "Highwaymen" today, that made it all that more startling and effective.
ok action movie
botfeeder25 November 2020
This movie seems to get closely paired with "Transit" in the "you might also like" department.
Appropriately so. They're both average caliber action movies. Decent acting, decent story but not extremely creative, just your basic fare.
Both star Jim Caviezel whom I wasn't familiar with. I'd say he is comparable to the well-known action stars such as Jason Statham.
My favorite part of the movie was the last line.
Appropriately so. They're both average caliber action movies. Decent acting, decent story but not extremely creative, just your basic fare.
Both star Jim Caviezel whom I wasn't familiar with. I'd say he is comparable to the well-known action stars such as Jason Statham.
My favorite part of the movie was the last line.
Vroom...Vroom! - Screeeeeech! - Splat
Dr. Gore18 January 2005
Warning: Spoilers
*SPOILER ALERT* SPOILER ALERT*
"Highwaymen" is about a psycho who likes to run women over with his car. The end. It's a little bit "Crash" and a little bit "Joy Ride". It's a solid B-movie. It's always refreshing to run into a decent B-flick now and then. Aahhhh. I'm refreshed.
So psycho decides to run down the wife of a guy who's as obsessive/compulsive as he is. Soon they will spend their carefree days and nights hunting each other down on the highway. They're Highwaymen. Another girl comes in between their chase. She is the bait for the final car grudge match.
I enjoyed this one. Killer cars, highways, Highwaymen, what more do you need? I especially liked the monstrous mechanical look of the psycho. "There's a lot of me in that car." And on the road. And on that other car...
"Highwaymen" is about a psycho who likes to run women over with his car. The end. It's a little bit "Crash" and a little bit "Joy Ride". It's a solid B-movie. It's always refreshing to run into a decent B-flick now and then. Aahhhh. I'm refreshed.
So psycho decides to run down the wife of a guy who's as obsessive/compulsive as he is. Soon they will spend their carefree days and nights hunting each other down on the highway. They're Highwaymen. Another girl comes in between their chase. She is the bait for the final car grudge match.
I enjoyed this one. Killer cars, highways, Highwaymen, what more do you need? I especially liked the monstrous mechanical look of the psycho. "There's a lot of me in that car." And on the road. And on that other car...
A complete waste of time
sensons30 March 2005
I watched it on video, and i was happy that it only took 80 something minutes for this very very low budget movie to finish.
The story never takes off and the whole movie was so predictable that it was almost funny.
Woman gets an ice-cream , wears a red dress , get run over by a car. Husband gets mad , gets after the killer , but don't succeed to kill him. And of course he gets a second chance, in the end another woman in the same dress almost gets killed but our hero saves her life of course. Thats the whole stupid movie. I even don't want to get in the details cause thats a waste of time to.
Awful simple and very bad filmed
The story never takes off and the whole movie was so predictable that it was almost funny.
Woman gets an ice-cream , wears a red dress , get run over by a car. Husband gets mad , gets after the killer , but don't succeed to kill him. And of course he gets a second chance, in the end another woman in the same dress almost gets killed but our hero saves her life of course. Thats the whole stupid movie. I even don't want to get in the details cause thats a waste of time to.
Awful simple and very bad filmed
Ridiculous but entertaining
MattyGibbs5 April 2013
This is an easy to watch straightforward thriller. The type of movie you just back and enjoy.
A crazed serial killer is running young women down and it's up to Jim Caviezel to hunt him down. The plot is far fetched as many action thrillers are but the cast do such an impressive job that it's hard not to get involved in the story. Whereby most action movies involve actors of a questionable quality, Jim Caviezel and Rhona Mitra are excellent in this ably supported by Frankie Faison.
There are some terrific high action action moments including one particularly suspenseful one.
My only criticism of the film would be the pantomime bad guy and the fact that the ending is as predictable as a wet English summer. However there is much to enjoy in this film and i'm surprised it wasn't a bigger hit.
A crazed serial killer is running young women down and it's up to Jim Caviezel to hunt him down. The plot is far fetched as many action thrillers are but the cast do such an impressive job that it's hard not to get involved in the story. Whereby most action movies involve actors of a questionable quality, Jim Caviezel and Rhona Mitra are excellent in this ably supported by Frankie Faison.
There are some terrific high action action moments including one particularly suspenseful one.
My only criticism of the film would be the pantomime bad guy and the fact that the ending is as predictable as a wet English summer. However there is much to enjoy in this film and i'm surprised it wasn't a bigger hit.
junkyard thriller
Buddy-5117 January 2005
"Highwaymen" is like a serial killer version of "Duel," featuring an anonymous driver who uses his 1968 Cadillac El Dorado to run down his hapless victims - most of whom happen to be beautiful young women, of course - bringing a new meaning to the term "vehicular manslaughter." James Caviezel plays Rennie Cray, a man whose wife the killer brutally ran over and left for dead a few years back. Since the police have proved to be thoroughly inept and ineffectual at bringing the murderer to justice, Cray has chosen to go outside the system to seek his revenge. As a result, he and the killer engage in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, with Cray tailing the psycho as he systematically goes about his business of running over more and more innocent women. Rhona Mitra co-stars as the attractive young lady who is, apparently, next on the hit list and whom Cray uses as bait to ensnare his prey.
Except for the fact that the modus operandi is somewhat unique in this film, "Highwaymen" has very little to distinguish it from countless other serial killer thrillers that have come before it. In addition to all the blood and carnage that routinely bespatter such films, "Highwaymen" employs the wheezy device of having the killer, in typically portentous tones, constantly tweaking the hero over the CB radio. Caviziel, who, of course, starred as Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ," in some ways gets to repeat the role of savior yet again in this film, only this time he at least manages to get the better of his tormentor. Mitra makes an attractive heroine/victim, but neither she nor Caveziel are given much to work with here.
Cart it off to the junkyard.
Except for the fact that the modus operandi is somewhat unique in this film, "Highwaymen" has very little to distinguish it from countless other serial killer thrillers that have come before it. In addition to all the blood and carnage that routinely bespatter such films, "Highwaymen" employs the wheezy device of having the killer, in typically portentous tones, constantly tweaking the hero over the CB radio. Caviziel, who, of course, starred as Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ," in some ways gets to repeat the role of savior yet again in this film, only this time he at least manages to get the better of his tormentor. Mitra makes an attractive heroine/victim, but neither she nor Caveziel are given much to work with here.
Cart it off to the junkyard.
Lean and mean
Leofwine_draca27 February 2011
This lean, fast-paced thriller does exactly what it says on the tin: it delivers a breakneck contest between two men, modern day knights of the road, tooling up for a life or death battle. Director Robert Harmon made THE HITCHER back in the day so he's on familiar ground in this movie. Essentially, at 80 minutes in length, it's nothing more than a series of car chases, all of them shot with verve and intensity. Characterisation takes a back seat, the story isn't much to write home about and the script is largely forgettable. But the car chase scenes are good, and that's the important thing.
Jim Caviezel (OUTLANDER) is fine as the hero, and Rhona Mitra (DOOMSDAY) acceptable as the damsel-in-distress. I particularly liked Frankie Faison's world weary cop, even if his character is a bit of a cliché. Colm Feore is perfectly despicable as the villain of the piece. Things build up to a nice set-piece climax that definitely isn't for the politically correct among us. I liked it.
Jim Caviezel (OUTLANDER) is fine as the hero, and Rhona Mitra (DOOMSDAY) acceptable as the damsel-in-distress. I particularly liked Frankie Faison's world weary cop, even if his character is a bit of a cliché. Colm Feore is perfectly despicable as the villain of the piece. Things build up to a nice set-piece climax that definitely isn't for the politically correct among us. I liked it.
Awful
bobbyelliott3 July 2004
I usually check IMDB before I go see a movie but I went to see this one on the strength of a good newspaper review. Big mistake. This movie starts badly and gets worse. There are so many plot-holes I don't know where to begin. It's just silly. And the acting! Calling it wooden is an insult to wood. It's so bad I spent the time trying to spot the movies it copied. They're all there - Christine, Terminator, Mad Max, Fast & Furious - it's like the director took the worst bits of each and then tried to combine them in the worst possible way.
Memo to myself: always check IMDB before spending money on a movie and never, never trust newspaper reviews.
Memo to myself: always check IMDB before spending money on a movie and never, never trust newspaper reviews.
Full of Suspense
magikmodel6913 February 2004
I just saw Highwaymen here in Texas, and let me tell you all, this movie is worth the ticket. The movie is quite different than any other movie I have seen, except for Wheels of Terror, which has basically the same plot as this one instead the car was the one doing the killings.
This movie grabs your attention from the get-go and does not let you come back down from the adrenaline ride you are witnessing. This movie is very good, and I recommend it to anyone who likes suspense/thrillers to watch it if you get the chance.
Jim Caviezel and Rhona Mitra are spectacular in their roles in this film. The basic plot of the movie is that Jim Caviezel's character's wife gets struck down by the killer who drives a Cadillac El Dorado and goes around major highways killing women with his car. I dont want to give away too much but this movie is worth every penny. Definitely buying it on DVD as soon as it comes out. Too bad it was only released in Texas and Louisiana. I give it 5 stars, since it has all the elements of a great movie.
This movie grabs your attention from the get-go and does not let you come back down from the adrenaline ride you are witnessing. This movie is very good, and I recommend it to anyone who likes suspense/thrillers to watch it if you get the chance.
Jim Caviezel and Rhona Mitra are spectacular in their roles in this film. The basic plot of the movie is that Jim Caviezel's character's wife gets struck down by the killer who drives a Cadillac El Dorado and goes around major highways killing women with his car. I dont want to give away too much but this movie is worth every penny. Definitely buying it on DVD as soon as it comes out. Too bad it was only released in Texas and Louisiana. I give it 5 stars, since it has all the elements of a great movie.
Impressive opening, some great landscape cinematography and a great ending,
christopher-underwood16 December 2009
Nothing like as good as the director's earlier, 'The Hitcher', this does, nevertheless, have its moments. Impressive opening, some great landscape cinematography and a great ending, unfortunately a great film, do not make. The real problem seems to be that Mr Harmon doesn't know how serious a project this is. I have no problem with a decent, fast, lurid, exploitation flick, which is what I expected this to be. Unfortunately we are supposed to take much of this seriously and then between the action sequences we are given too much time to reflect upon how daft and unbelievable it is. The highway officer seems to be the key to it in that at the end, after all his pontificating, he makes a courageous and stirring decision, and we are left wondering what this film might have been like if he had been more like that all along, instead of acting so very dumb.
Disappointing
NEUF26 August 2004
I saw the trailer in the theater and was really looking forward to seeing this movie. However, after seeing it I'm really disappointed.
I think the 2 main things that disappointed me about the movie: continuity and lack of a back story.
There are too many points in the story where something is there one minute and not the next. And there are even some instances where you're left saying "oh come on!" Example: when the traffic officer goes to chase after Cray and the maniac and ends up getting his car stuck in a ditch...lame.
Flashbacks of Molly's childhood should have been included to explain what had happened to her and her parents year ago. We see a scar on her back but no real explanation of what happened.
This really could have been a great movie with a better script. I think Jim and Rhona did the best they could with what they had to work with, but it just would have been that much better with a stronger script.
I think the 2 main things that disappointed me about the movie: continuity and lack of a back story.
There are too many points in the story where something is there one minute and not the next. And there are even some instances where you're left saying "oh come on!" Example: when the traffic officer goes to chase after Cray and the maniac and ends up getting his car stuck in a ditch...lame.
Flashbacks of Molly's childhood should have been included to explain what had happened to her and her parents year ago. We see a scar on her back but no real explanation of what happened.
This really could have been a great movie with a better script. I think Jim and Rhona did the best they could with what they had to work with, but it just would have been that much better with a stronger script.
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