Breakdown (1997)

Directed by Jonathan Mostow. Starring Kurt Russell, J.T. Walsh, and Kathleen Quinlan. USA, Color, 95 minutes

Another day, another awesome Kurt Russell movie . . .

Jeff Taylor (Russell) and his wife Amy (Kathleen Quinlan) are moving across the country to a new home and new careers. When their car breaks down in the middle of a desert, they flag down a semi. Jeff stays with the vehicle. Amy goes with the trucker. When Amy doesn't come back, Jeff searches for her himself. By the end of the day, he finds that his wife has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom, and he must somehow come up with 90,000 dollars to satisfy the thieves. When he can't get the money, there's only one thing he can do.

Kick ass, Russell style.

This is an action movie that completely delivers in all aspects. It's premise was mostly original for the time and the acting is top-notch. The dialogue is superb throughout, and white-hot non-stop action sets in during the second half. It just rocked.

The only things that detract from the film are its bland title and the awkward ending scene. Otherwise, it completely rocks. Check it out at all costs.