Joy Ride (2001)

          Fuller & Lewis Thomas are brothers on the way to pick up Lewis’ girl from college. But after buying an old battered car, the cb radio they put inside it only leads to mayhem. They decide to pull some internet chat pranks via the cb and only serve to anger a Truck Driver named Rusty Nail. As the 2 avoid being killed by high-speed hijinks, they try to find their girl and take her safely to new Jersey. But ole Rusty never forgives and his revenge is only riddled with blood!

          Overall: Good film with a cool ending. I think by the end of the film u can guess what the ending will be – kind of “tales from the crypt”-ish. But needless to say it is an enjoyable film. Not scary but fairly interesting and enjoyable.

          6/2002: The above was written after viewing the film in theatres and now, I review the film after the DVD release. The DVD has 4 “alternate” endings to it, 3 of which were filmed. Trust me when I say what you saw in the theatres is easily supreme to the alternate endings. In fact, had any of the extra endings had they been included, would have turned this great film into a cheesy film.
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(SPOILERS!)
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Ok, the ending of this film in the theatres DID NOT show the killer’s face. Yet the DVD does as its “regular” version. This shocked me so much I asked around and no one I knew saw the face of the killer in the video. That’s what makes the ending so good. Yet the DVD doesn’t hide the guy. That’s messed up. So what’s new?

          The “Original” Ending has a longer scene with the 2 brothers nude at that gas station, then ending up battling Rusty briefly before ending up in jail themselves and everyone running to a train yard to find the dead body of charlotte. The 2 brothers end up finding Venna in the truck of Rusty after they pull him over in the cop car they’ve stolen and battle with him in the corn field. (kind of different, eh?)

          The “1st re-shoot” ending is close to the final ending except Fuller, Lewis & Rusty have a big battle behind the hotel.

          The “alternate ending” is same as above except Venna saves the day by shooting Rusty as she escapes from the chair.

          The “Storyboard ending” is adding to the “re-shoot” but having Lewis drive over Rusty with the Truck.

          So, are you convinced the director made the right call here? I am. Any fights with Rusty are too childish and cheesy. The film is a psychological thriller so keep the ending the same way!

          Comparison: Duel meets I Know What You Did Last Summer

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Joyride Review Page

Joyride 2 Review Page

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