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Amazon.co.uk Review
20 years is a long time in the lifeline of movie plot-arc necessities. It's also a pretty big generational stretch in the lives of audience demographics, which may be part of the reason the producers of this remake of the 1986 cult horror classic felt the need to update the original spare mano-a-mano backbone into a girl-and-mano-a-mano. The Twilight Zone-ish setup is still a pretty neat idea: regular guy on a lonely highway picks up a hitchhiker who turns out to be a psychopathic killer with some very unsettling supernatural might. Fans of the original could hardly hope for a demon villain with such creepy charisma as Rutger Hauer. But Sean Bean makes a respectable replacement, with his understated stare and stewing rage that brings a new brand of hair-raising devilry to the role of hitcher John Ryder. The lone "good guy" originated by a boyish C. Thomas Howell has been upgraded to a lovesick couple.
In a twisty touch, Jim (Zachary Knighton) and Grace (Sophia Bush, of One Tree Hill fame) trade gender roles, with Jim turning wimpy and feminine and Grace becoming a shotgun-toting testoster-ette. The body count's a little higher and the gore factor increased by the power of 20 (years), but some of the original film's set pieces remain much the same-- body-snapping case in point being an 18-wheeler being put to use as a old-fashioned torture rack. While the original might have placed a bit more emphasis on the philosophical and existential elements of evil passing from soul to soul, it wasn't exactly an intellectual thrill ride. Likewise, 2007's The Hitcher is no art film, and it can't be faulted for choosing fright and might for audiences that are always looking for bigger and more elaborate splats for their horror entertainment buck. And if you stick out your thumb for this one, expect plenty of splat. --Ted Fry
Synopsis
Music video director Dave Meyers's debut film is an updated version of the 1986 shocker of the same name, featuring Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings Triology) in the title role of a chillingly sadistic hitchhiker. Twenty-something couple Grace (Sophia Bush from One Tree Hill) and Jim (Zachary Knighton) embark on a road trip across the American Southwest to meet up with Grace's friends on vacation. Things get off to a bad start when they almost run over a hitchhiker in the middle of a rainstorm, and then leave him to fend for himself. When they later run into the man (Bean), who calls himself John Ryder, at a gas station, their consciences get the best of them, and they agree to give him a ride to the next town. The couple's passenger quickly turns on his hosts, and although they manage to escape, he follows them and makes their lives a living hell. Soon, Grace and Jim find themselves framed for John Ryder's vicious crimes, and they are on the run from both the authorities and the Hitcher, of whose existence no one but they are aware. As their flight gets increasingly desperate and the Hitcher's methods of torture more brutal, Grace and Jim struggle desperately to discern what the man wants, and why he has chosen them. The film benefits from its beautiful, desolate desert setting, as it highlights the solitude and desperation of the couple's situation. Despite a few problems of plausibility and the frequent foolishness of the protagonists--to which horror fans are well-accustomed--The Hitcher delivers fright in all the right places, as well as beautiful women and plenty of gore.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I have no idea how this film managed to score an average of 4/5 stars here. I found it slow, dull, predictable, and with a completely unsatisfactory ending which didn't explain anything. As the film dragged on I felt that I had to watch it to the end hoping that there would be some kind of redeeming twist, which never came. Total disappointment of a movie, and a waste of my time :(
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Well not having seen the original, but knowing that Rutger Hauer was the creepy hitcher in the original film i was intrigued that Sean Bean would be playing the psycho. I wasn't disappointed. This film had all elements i enjoy from a thriller/horror. Scare and jump out my skin factor, plus a plausable psycho guy. Hats off to the young female she really had the biggest balls. I enjoyed this film, must see the original now but dont think it will put me off the remake. The thing about Sean Bean being the massacring psycho is you wouldn't fail to be not just charmed but seduced by him. Even with a knife to your throat he is very sexy!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Hitcher is a re-make of the original film which was released in 1986.
The story follows a couple (Jim and Grace) who offer a lift to a hitchhiker (played by Sean Bean). They soon realise he is a psycho when he holds a knife to Graces head. They manage to kick him out of the car and think that's the last the have seen of him. Unfortunately for them, things go from bad to worse, as they soon realise the killer will not disappear quietly from their lives.
Not having seen the original I can't compare the two. However, watching this version as a film in its own right, it is an effective horror/thriller with strong performances from all involved. The couple portray the frightened victims, who are desperate to survive, very well. Sean Bean doesn't have to flex his acting muscles too much, but he plays the role of psycho killer extremely convincingly.
The action is at times very violent but, apart from one genuinely shocking scene, it doesn't end up being as sick as other films from this genre, (for example Wolf Creek or Hostel). There are a few bits that will make you jump but it doesn't have the sustained terror of some recent horrors (again Wolf Creek). The pace is kept high throughout which means the film never starts to drag. The two lead characters are likeable enough which helps you have some sympathy in their plight to evade the killer.
Overall fans of the horror/thriller genre will find something to like here. With strong performances and a fast pace it is definitely a well above average chiller.
The story follows a couple (Jim and Grace) who offer a lift to a hitchhiker (played by Sean Bean). They soon realise he is a psycho when he holds a knife to Graces head. They manage to kick him out of the car and think that's the last the have seen of him. Unfortunately for them, things go from bad to worse, as they soon realise the killer will not disappear quietly from their lives.
Not having seen the original I can't compare the two. However, watching this version as a film in its own right, it is an effective horror/thriller with strong performances from all involved. The couple portray the frightened victims, who are desperate to survive, very well. Sean Bean doesn't have to flex his acting muscles too much, but he plays the role of psycho killer extremely convincingly.
The action is at times very violent but, apart from one genuinely shocking scene, it doesn't end up being as sick as other films from this genre, (for example Wolf Creek or Hostel). There are a few bits that will make you jump but it doesn't have the sustained terror of some recent horrors (again Wolf Creek). The pace is kept high throughout which means the film never starts to drag. The two lead characters are likeable enough which helps you have some sympathy in their plight to evade the killer.
Overall fans of the horror/thriller genre will find something to like here. With strong performances and a fast pace it is definitely a well above average chiller.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good, but not with Sean Bean as the hitcher.
Sean Bean does not look as menacing as the original hitcher, but the rest of the film is good. I am not happy with the very beginning when the rabbit gets knocked down on the... Read more
Published 9 months ago by M. Taylor
Another pointless remake for the girl power generation
Watching this unnecessary remake of The Hitcher had me wondering about the attitudes of actors towards each other's work. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Philoctetes
Good but not as good as the original
All remakes have to be compared to the original with most failing to equal the first offering. This is especially true of suspense or thriller films as the ending is already known... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Duncan Light
The Hitcher, just didn't hitch me
Without being pedantic about always seeing the original, in this case, I must say... see the original. Read more
Published 12 months ago by MJ. (scary drood)
A remake that's not half as bad as expected, but not as startling as...
I'm not against remakes at all. I love the remakes of Assault on Precinct 13, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Amityville Horror. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Benminx
Utter cheese. too hollywood for me!!
I realy don't get how this film got such good reviews. It was just totally unbelieveable from the start. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Kelly
horror
forget about what the critics say..this is a great movie..not as good as the original..but not far behind..sean bean does a real good job playing the bad guy in this.. Read more
Published 23 months ago by rama o rama
Sophia Bush !!! Hot And Great Actress !
The Hitcher Is the Reamake of the 1986 Orginal.
Sean Bean Replaces Rutger Hauer as John Ryder "The Hitcher" and He Actually de a great job at it. Read more
Sean Bean Replaces Rutger Hauer as John Ryder "The Hitcher" and He Actually de a great job at it. Read more
Published on 13 April 2010 by K. Clarke
Not so great
Critics have panned this film, but the public seem to love it. I'm siding with the critics on this one. Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2009 by Riaan
Really Good Hitcher
This hitcher film is very good, plenty of action and gore, and the ending is fantastic,I Recommend this film.
Published on 10 Oct 2009 by Douglas Tucker
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