Customer Reviews

Breakdown

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

"Breakdown" is without a doubt one of the best action movies I've ever seen. It's about a married couple that get stranded after their car breaks down in the desert. A truck driver (J.T. Walsh), convincingly urges Kurt Russel that he will take his wife to a nearby phone so she can call for help. However, that's when Russel's wife gets kidnapped and this movie really starts to roll. Kurt Russel goes on an action packed adventure to try to find his wife and when he finally finds where she's at, the suspense gets more intense than just about any movie I've ever seen.

I don't see why "Breakdown" wasn't one of the biggest blockbuster hits of the 90's. Kurt Russel puts on one of his best performances ever and J.T. Walsh plays his role as the main villain as close to perfection as any other actor ever has. "Breakdown" has many of the best and most suspenseful action sequences you'll find in any movie.

There's not many movies that I'll watch twice within a week, but "Breakdown" was so good I watched it 4 times the first week it premiered on cable. I also told all my friends and family how good it was and that they needed to watch it. I taped it the last time I saw it and it's still on my list of one of the best action movies of all time and it always will be. It is also one movie you will never forget. If you like action movies with great suspense and non-stop action, "Breakdown" is one movie you can't miss.

I'll make this review short and sweet: This is one of the most under-rated suspense thrillers ever released. The acting is superb...the plot line is very believable. From this writer's perspective, this is arguably one of the best movies Kurt Russell has ever acted in.
Just one question, why didn't this film get the recognition that it deserved when it was first released???

This movie is a classic nail-biter. Hitchcock would be proud. This is highly recommended. It easily earns five stars out of five...

This movie was just like one of my favorite Dean Koontz or Richard Laymon books.

Besides the non stop action and my level of interest not dropping even once, it was nice to see a movie that did not make my cry for two hours lost in my life, because many movies I have seen lately new or old did just that.

What makes this story so gripping is the fact that Kurt Russell's character is someone you begin to like really fast and you don't want anything happening to him. Also the action begins on a desert road, with no people around, so this reminds me of those " lost in the woods" story, where someone is escaping and there's not many places to hide, besides being all alone and in trouble.

When Russell's car breaks down and his wife hitches a ride with someone from around there to get help, and never comes back, he decides to take the matter into his own terms, and let me tell you, I yelled at the TV a few times, and I never do that, because he gets on a bumpy ride to discover the towns little dirty secret, and he doesn't stop.

Excellent move for any time of the day can't wait to watch it again soon.

"Breakdown" is a 1997 film starring Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan as a couple moving from Boston to San Diego. Somewhere in Arizona -- in the middle of nowhere -- their SUV breaks down. They are beset by a team of guys that make money on the side by robbing/killing innocent travelers. Their breakdown devolves into an utter nightmare.

"Breakdown" brings to mind three pictures:

-- Spielberg's first TV film "Duel" (1971) Starring Dennis Weaver, which was perhaps the first film addressing the subject of road rage.

-- The 1975 film "Race with the Devil" starring Peter Fonda, which was a car chase thriller about four vacationers and their accidental run-in with a gaggle of Satanists.

-- And, lastly, the 1988/1993 film "The Vanishing." There are two versions with different actors (but the same director); the first taking place in Europe, the other in America. The story involves a man's obsessive search for his girlfriend who was apparently kidnapped while they were parked at a rest stop.

"Breakdown" successfully combines elements of all three of these pictures, while remaining unique. In fact, "Breakdown" is arguably the best of the batch. So, if you liked any of these films, chances are you'll appreciate "Breakdown."

It should also be noted that the film is great for people who like desert stories or enjoy Southwest scenery.

BOTTOM LINE: "Breakdown" is nothing deep, but it's an intense, engaging, realistic thriller along the lines of "Duel," albeit more eventful. It will definitely grab and hold your attention its entire 90 minute length. There's a great scene at the end that makes a simple statement: Some people have so foolishly opened their hearts to EVIL -- in this case greed, hate, violence and murder -- that they have BECOME hideous non-human monsters (by their own choice). For the sake of society, such people MUST be utterly wiped out from this plane of existence. Hey, "the wages of sin is death." Unfortunately we can't trust our "justice" system any longer.

One reviewer irately complained that the story is unrealistic near the beginning of the film; specifically the part where Kurt lets his wife leave with a truck driver while he stays behind to watch his vehicle. He referred to this as an incredibly stupid decision. But I personally don't see what's so "unrealistic" or "stupid" about it. They're broke down in the middle of nowhere and their phone won't work. The truck driver who offers to take them to the next stop is seemingly normal, benevolent, helpful and friendly. Both of them couldn't go because one had to stay and guard their vehicle, which contained many of their possessions (remember, they were moving). And it wouldn't have been right for Kurt to let his wife stay alone with the jeep since there was some hick nutjob roaming the local area who had harrassed them a bit earlier, not to mention they didn't have any type of weapon. It was a bad situation and Kurt chose the safest, most reasonable option available.

"Breakdown" strangely didn't do very well at the box office in 1997. It has, however, been a bit of a hit on video/DVD since that time. Enjoy.

This is one of the most exciting thrillers I saw in the 90's. Kurt Russell's performance is great! The cinematography and direction are excellent.

The movie works because it doesn't try to be TOO serious. This is a Hollywood thriller, so the action certainly gets extravagant at points. The premise of the film is a fantastic setup.

I love films like this where the editing is paced, rather than sporadic and choppy. For instance, the scene with Kurt Russell climbing on the outside of the semi is shot masterfully. The tension is real. The supporting roles played by Kathleen Quinlan and J.T. Walsh are convincing.

This movie, considering the low price it's at these days, must be owned. It's one of Kurt Russell's best films.

Of course the movie deserves 4 stars, however I wish I could say the same for the DVD. What does it take for DVD company to release each DVD enhanced for 16x9 TVs? Nothing!

Recently I bought a SONY BRAVIA 32 INCH display and I have a collection of over 600 Dvds. I learned now about "Enhanced for 16x9 TVs" and how important it is, I did not care about it or even know about it since I own a standard TV, however all my Dvds are Region 1 and in widescreen, I never buy fullscreen Dvds. So I did an inventory on my collection and realized the following:

Out of 600+ Dvds, 42 are NOT enhanced for 16x9 TVs and they really look horrible when I played them on my PC. Anyway, according to my inventory.
THE FOLLOWING MOVIES / COMPANY HAVE FAILED TO PRODUCE ANAMORPHIC OR 16X9 WIDESCREEN and I hope that these company will release them in the near future so that we can enjoy them on our TVs.

MGM:

Runaway Train
Graduate
No Way Out
Prizzi's Honor
FX
Shallow Grave
Thief
House Of Games
Dead Man Walking
Misery
The Eye Of The Needle
Overboard

PARAMOUNT:

Private Parts
48 Hrs
Coming To America
Primal Fear
The Ghost And The Darkness
Breakdown

UNIVERSAL:

Day Of The Jackal
Psycho (AVAILABLE IN THE RECENT HITCHCOCK'S BOXSET AS ANAMORPHIC)
Vertigo (AVAILABLE IN THE RECENT HITCHCOCK'S BOXSET AS ANAMORPHIC)
The Game

FOX:

Abyss (I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT MY 2-DISC IS NOT ANAMORPHIC, NOR IS THE LATEST DIGIPACK EDITION)
Raising Arizona
The Edge
Great Expectations
Rising Sun
The Ref
Romancing The Stone
The Jewel Of The Nile

ARTISAN:

House Of The Spirits
The Last Seduction
The Last Emperor
The Eagle Has Landed
Bound

PS: PLEASE ARTISAN, INSTEAD OF RELEASING 'BASIC INSTINCT' FOR THE 4TH TIME, WHICH MOST HAVE ALMOST THE SAME SPECIFICATIONS, CONSIDER RELEASING SOME MORE INTERESTING MOVIES WITH PROPER ATTENTION SUCH AS THOSE MENTIONED ABOVE.

TOUCHSTONE / WALT DISNEY:

Ransom
What About Bob?

PS: IT IS A GREAT NEWS THAT TOUCHSTONE ARE RELEASING 'ENEMY OF THE STATE', CRIMSON TIDE' AND 'CON AIR' IN EXTENDED UNRATED EDITIONS ON MAY 16. I WISH THOUGH THEY DID THE SAME WITH 'RANSOM'

WARNER:

91/2 Weeks
Presumed Innocent

NOTE THAT WARNER STUDIO IS RELEASING ONE OF THE BEST 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION SUCH AS 'SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION', 'HEAT', 'MALCOLM X', 'DOG DAY AFTERNOON', 'ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN' AND MANY MANY MORE.


The reason why they don't release every DVD in widescreen enhanced for 16x9 is beyond me since soon Widescreen Tvs will replace standard ones.

IT IS A RELIEF THAT AMAZON IS NOW STATING WHETHER THE DVD IS ANAMORPHIC OR LETTERBOXED.

"Breakdown" is a thriller about a couple whose car breaks down in the middle of the desert in the West. Out in the middle of nowhere, the wife hitches a ride with a truck driver, but never returns.

Director Jonathon Mostow has certainly created a terrific little thriller here, infusing his scenes with genuine suspense, and a mystery surrounding the wife's disappearance that progresses very nicely. Under some very powerful performances from Kurt Russell and J.T. Walsh, this action film has a lot to offer.

The movie begins with a near-accident between a Jeep and a pickup truck. In the Jeep are Jeff and Amy Taylor (Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan), a married couple moving from Massachusetts to San Diego, who are confronted by the man in the pickup when they stop at a gas station. Passing it off, they continue on their way, only to experience car trouble soon after. Luckily, a semi pulls up, offering them a ride. Amy goes, and Jeff stays behind to watch the car.

When his wife does not come back, he finally realizes the car's malfunction (obviously not a mechanically inclined person), and makes his way to any place he can find, stopping at a small cafe to inquire about his wife's whereabouts; they know nothing. He catches up to Red Barr (J.T. Walsh), the man driving the semi, but Barr denies even knowing who he is as a cop searches the truck and finds nothing, no traceable evidence of Amy.

So where is she? The movie keeps us at bay for quite a while, allowing Kurt Russell to give us some very dynamic acting as he plays out all of Jeff's inner collapses and states of confusion. Russell has always been good at playing the action hero, but here, he is the one being chased, the one being toyed with, and in this interesting turn of events, he pulls it off successfully, convincing us of his emotional drive to find his missing wife.

J.T. Walsh is equally impressive as Warren (a.k.a. Red Barr), who, along with his road pals (including the man in the pickup from the beginning), have plans in store for Jeff, the pawn in their lethal game of chess. Walsh was gifted with one of those faces, those strong, stern faces that could cause mountains to crumble at a mere glance. Here, he is harsh and overbearing, fitting the role with an unsettling ease.

As the mystery unfolds, the action begins. Russell is in even finer form during the film's second half, as he gets involved in a high-speed chase and must figure out a way to elude his pursuants. I'm going to do my best not to give away their intentions, which may come as a letdown to some, given the initial paths the story takes, but the commencing action and breath-holding finale are a tour de force of thrills, chases, and suspense-packed action.

At the helm of this project is director Jonathon Mostow, who uses his photography to add to the intensity of the story. Here, he chooses to surround us with wide open spaces to convey to emptiness and vastness of the western terrain, adding to the overwhelming sense of dread that Jeff must be feeling in search of his wife. He also puts us right in the middle of some very intense car chases, and a scene involving Jeff making his way along the bottom of a moving truck is full of tension.

If you are able to break down the mystery behind "Breakdown," you may be at a loss. But the movie does a pretty good job of keeping it hidden from a mainstream audience, and those in the mood for a story that keeps you waiting will find pleasure in its many exciting twists. The action is intense and involving (I almost cheered at the closing credits), and Mostow knows what he is doing, as do the cast members. I had a large smile on my face after this film, a smile of satisfaction that very few movies have ever put on my face.

This is one of the most amazing thrillers I've ever seen. I love a good thriller and this is by far one of the best. It is well acted, and gets you within the first 10 -15 minutes. Once it has you, it doesn't let up for the entire length thereafter. I love Kurt Russell and he's so good in this (He was also good in Unlawful Entry which was another fantastic thriller). The only trouble I have with this, is that it's always on TV right before I'm about to do a drive from LA to Vegas and it's all too close for comfort. J T Walsh was also great in this. He was pure evil but also really convincing. You have to see this movie. I know that is a cliche but this is true. This is such a great thriller, so all thriller fans watch this now if you haven't already seen it, but just make sure that you go for a pee first.

Talk about a "Breakdown" for Kurt Russell's character. His life is a total hell when his wife, who gets help from a truck driver when their car "breaks" down, winds up missing. Russell is so convincing as the husband that the audience relates to his anger, frustration, and fierce dermination to get his wife back from the blackmailing kidnapping ring who abducted her.

The truck driver played by J.T. Walsh, is also excellent as the villian. Director Jonathan Mostow does an solid job with the suspense-filled action sequences. Every scene is realistic and brutal to the viewer. I especially liked the first half of the movie, when the film is sort of like of mystery because Russell cannot find his wife. The second half bogs down, but is still exciting and effective.

But the holy grail goes to Russell, who gives a ultra-realistic performance to a ultra-nailbiting thriller. Highly recommended film along with NICK OF TIME with Johnny Depp.

THIS IS ONE HECK OF A MOVIE. Kurt Russell, J.T. Walsh and director Jonathan Mostow combine to bring about a suspense-filled, action-packed thriller. Russell commands the movie, showing all the frustration, rage, and terror he feels in his pursuit of the rednecks who have absconded his wife. Walsh is an unparallelled villain, able to pull off his dastardly deeds and then go home to his wife and son. The scene in which both he and his wife tell their little boy to kill Russell is downright horrifying. Kathleen Quinlan, a good actress, doesn't have much screen time, but does well with what little she has. Mostow crafts some supremely bone-chilling chase scenes and the ending is breathtaking. I too wanted to cheer when the credits rolled.
A brilliant, underappreciated film.