3 years ago
By Christy Lemire AP Movie Critic
So you're probably thinking, not again -- not another remake of a horror movie. Following reheated versions of "The Omen," "The Hills Have Eyes" and "When a Stranger Calls," an update of "The Hitcher" would seem needless. The 1986 original, starring a then hunky C. Thomas Howell, was actually pretty scary. But you know what? This new one is, too.
You do have to suspend all disbelief and assume that the menacing hitchhiker, played by Sean Bean, has the supernatural ability to be everywhere all the time, with increasing amounts of firepower. Oh, and that he can take out about 10 cops in patrol cars and a helicopter all by himself. Still, if you choose to go with it, there are several good jumps and scares, and it's surprisingly tense the whole way through, not just gory and cheesy.
What's also surprising is that the movie from Dave Meyers, one of the most prolific music video directors in the business, is an incredibly straightforward horror flick. Zachary Knighton and Sophia Bush star as the college kids in peril during a road trip. It's enough to make you want to fly on your next vacation.
R for strong bloody violence, terror and language. 83 min. Two and a half stars out of four.
Associated Press