This 3rd rate action adventure guy flick will probably set Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s career back about 10 years. This film is basically a variation on `Speed' where instead of keeping the bus above 50 mph, they had to keep the unstable chemical warfare bomb below 50 degrees.
Two regular guys (actually two screw ups) must save the world from a group of rogue military mercenaries who are trying to steal a potent chemical weapon and sell it on the open market. The chemical is unstable above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and will explode stripping the skin from any living creature within a hundred miles. Our heroes must get this doomsday weapon to the nearest army base armed only with a broken down ice cream truck and a pistol with no ammo. The half a dozen bad guys are all have elite military background, the latest in electronic equipment, souped up SUV's, and an arsenal of advanced weaponry. Predictably, the mercenaries are no match for our screw ups.
This film is one big chase scene that takes implausibility to new heights of incredulity. The dialogue between Arlo (Gooding) and Tim (Skeet Ulrich) is mindless tripe that attempts to be funny but merely makes the characters seem pathetic. This is consistent with all the writing in this screenplay which is mostly hack.
As far as I can tell, this is Hugh Johnson's debut as a first line feature director, having mostly done assistant and second unit direction and cinematography. In this regard he fails to distinguish himself. His camera work was pedestrian and scene selection was pretty much stock for the genre. The first third of the film was shot with a blue filter, to get a dark look. The odd thing was, he kept the blue filter for the indoor shots and subsequent daytime shots. This indiscriminate use of the filter, rather than creating an effect just made the entire film look washed out. Then suddenly, he abandoned it entirely. On a plus note, the stunts and pyrotechnics were handled well as were the special effects when the chemical weapon test went awry at the beginning of the film. There were some effective moments of suspense like when they tried to take the oversized ice cream truck past the narrow road on the cliff.
Cuba Gooding, Jr. did his best to bring life to a very insubstantial character. He was witty and energetic as always but there was no saving Arlo. Skeet Ulrich was utterly bland as Tim Mason. David Paymer was decent as the arrogant scientist who's ambition for his work exceeded the limits of prudent science. Peter Firth was dreadful as the evil Captain Brynner, leader of the rogue soldiers.
All in all, this film was a loser. I gave it a 3/10. For guys who want a good beer buzz movie while the wife and kids are out of town, this might be okay. Otherwise steer clear.
Two regular guys (actually two screw ups) must save the world from a group of rogue military mercenaries who are trying to steal a potent chemical weapon and sell it on the open market. The chemical is unstable above 50 degrees Fahrenheit and will explode stripping the skin from any living creature within a hundred miles. Our heroes must get this doomsday weapon to the nearest army base armed only with a broken down ice cream truck and a pistol with no ammo. The half a dozen bad guys are all have elite military background, the latest in electronic equipment, souped up SUV's, and an arsenal of advanced weaponry. Predictably, the mercenaries are no match for our screw ups.
This film is one big chase scene that takes implausibility to new heights of incredulity. The dialogue between Arlo (Gooding) and Tim (Skeet Ulrich) is mindless tripe that attempts to be funny but merely makes the characters seem pathetic. This is consistent with all the writing in this screenplay which is mostly hack.
As far as I can tell, this is Hugh Johnson's debut as a first line feature director, having mostly done assistant and second unit direction and cinematography. In this regard he fails to distinguish himself. His camera work was pedestrian and scene selection was pretty much stock for the genre. The first third of the film was shot with a blue filter, to get a dark look. The odd thing was, he kept the blue filter for the indoor shots and subsequent daytime shots. This indiscriminate use of the filter, rather than creating an effect just made the entire film look washed out. Then suddenly, he abandoned it entirely. On a plus note, the stunts and pyrotechnics were handled well as were the special effects when the chemical weapon test went awry at the beginning of the film. There were some effective moments of suspense like when they tried to take the oversized ice cream truck past the narrow road on the cliff.
Cuba Gooding, Jr. did his best to bring life to a very insubstantial character. He was witty and energetic as always but there was no saving Arlo. Skeet Ulrich was utterly bland as Tim Mason. David Paymer was decent as the arrogant scientist who's ambition for his work exceeded the limits of prudent science. Peter Firth was dreadful as the evil Captain Brynner, leader of the rogue soldiers.
All in all, this film was a loser. I gave it a 3/10. For guys who want a good beer buzz movie while the wife and kids are out of town, this might be okay. Otherwise steer clear.