Thursday, August 18, 2011
Michael Allen
Writer: Benjamin Carr.
Cast: Oded Fehr, Shannon Beckner and Ryan Kennedy.
Ah, the killer car horror sub-genre. Not since Stephen King's Christine and Maximum Overdrive have murderous cars been so fun. Benjamin Carr and Eric Valette's introduction to this genre puts the killer car film into the creature feature genre and the result is a Super Hybrid. This title releases on DVD August 23rd through Anchor Bay Entertainment and the film stars Oded Fehr (Resident Evil), Shannon Breckner (You are Here) and Ryan Kennedy ("Caprica"). Much like the film's title, Super Hybrid is one part female empowerment film and one part mindless entertainment.
A damaged car is brought back to a Chicago Police Department salvage yard for storage and later investigation. A tyrranical garage manager (Fehr) makes sure everyone is on the job, while he harrasses the cute secretary. Then, actress Breckner arrives as Tilda and once all the characters are isolated in the garage, the killing car goes about its bloodthirsty business. Cell phones don't work, exits are blocked and the only option remaining is to fight the car to the death.
There seems to be this underlinging theme of leadership, in the film. Fehr as Ray is a supposed bully, while Tilda shows much of the same aggression. There also seems to be this annoying antagonism between these two characters through much of the film. Apparently, even when there is an external threat these characters cannot work together.
As well, the take charge Tilda and the writing from Carr seems to be teasing a female empowerment message, which leaves Ray mostly emasculated and stewing on the back burner. Tilda also leaves her "loser" boyfriend in the final frames. However, John Donne said it best: "no man is an island." This message applies to women also and Breckner's portrayal of an independent femme fatale comes off as weak often and forced in other scenes. After all, what is a leader without a few followers? In the end, the film tries to change certain standard gender roles and while the execution is imperfect, the attempt is mostly welcomed.
Ever since Maximum Overdrive came out in 1986, it was interesting, as a teenager, to imagine a world dominated by cars. Super Hybrid allows viewers to leave the sometimes hum-drum of modern life behind for a more thrilling experience. The chase sequences and flaming molotovs create a suitable tense atmosphere and this film is simply entertaining. The final scenes tease a sequel, but Super Hybrid might be suited for one night in a darkly lit, terror filled garage.
This film shows a mish-mash of positive and negative performances. The transforming vehicle from muscle car to station wagon and to 4 x 4 truck keeps the visual sphere changing. As well, the car, which is really a creature, gets a late reveal through CGI enhanced shots. Once the hood is removed this beast is more tentacles than pistons and engine blocks. See this one as a relatively entertaining PG-13 rated flick with popcorn and thrills, on a too calm weekend or weeknight.
Writing/story/plot: 7 (presumably based on a comic book, diverse characters, inter-group conflict).
Pacing/believability: 7 (moves a long at a clip, the explanation for the monster is pretty laughable, who knew squids could walk on land).
Overall: 7 out of 10 (entertaining).
The Super Hybrid fan page;
Super Hybrid on Facebook
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Posted in: 2011,anchor bay,anchor bay entertainment,car attack,car escape,movie review,movie review 2011
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