While trying to find another angle towards the many disaster films that materialized back in the 1970's, "Rollercoaster", though not the worst film of this particular genre, but you'd be kidding me if you all think this was the best of of its genre, because in reality it never even comes close. Sure this film delivers a cornucopia of footage from the rollercoasters, but what brings this movie down was the narrow-thin plot and a poorly structured story. Directed by James Goldstone and running for exactly two hours, "Rollercoaster" is an excuse to exploit audience people who have short-attention spans, which leads to the gripping amusement park scenarios are awkwardly pasted on as a ploy to bring this story to feature-length. For the genre being a crime-drama, it's tedious and mundane which is rare because most crime dramas are both exciting and settling, "Rollercoaster" is simply not like that.
Timothy Bottoms stars as a unnamed bomber who's modus operandi is to wring out $1 million from amusement park owners after observing that getting through security is a piece of cake. While at the amusement parks, he places explosives on the roller-coaster tracks and releases the bombs with the help of a remote trigger and promises to inflict more damage unless his demands are compromised. George Segal plays Insp. Harry Calder, a cantankerous man trying to quit smoking by using shock therapy, seems to have more access knowledge than the other detectives and just knows the right strategy needed to outsmart this sadistic fiend. He becomes the right person for the job while sacrificing his safety and finds himself in one precarious situation after another.
Like its predecessors, this movie has an ensemble of talented thespians, although it doesn't really feature very many A-list performers. The only two standouts are popular 1970's performer George Segal and the very iconic Henry Fonda who was lowered to a very low supporting role and doesn't really have much to do here. There are debuts from younger performers who would go onto bigger and better roles in the future. Helen Hunt is in this movie playing Harry's daughter Tracy Calder. Although he did not get credit for his performance, Steve Guttenberg has a cameo role as a messenger. And voice legend Michael Bell is here in a small role as Chuck Demerest.
During the time of its release, there was some speculation that theatres wanted to add more to the sound systems by creating more dimension to get the audience pumped up by creating sound-waves where bass speakers came into effect which would manipulate the theatre chairs to tremble on impact and to add extra sound during explosives, almost as though the audience was in on the action. This archaic technology was there way before HD and 3D were invented. I guess this was desperate move to keep the audience awake from their slumber because it sure didn't keep me awake.
Even the technical features were a bummer as well. Lalo Schifrin's pedestrian score sounded like a giant rip-off to Hitchcock's "Psycho". And who in their right minds though that glam-rock musician Russell Mael of Sparks could act? Now "Big Boy" will etched in my mind for a very long time. For amusement park aficionados will marvel at the amusement park footages, but will not grab anyone else's attention if you are not. Even though there are a lot of casualties I the movie, the audience gets to witness only one. I guess the audience must be dumb or hard at seeing, but there are obvious dummies replacing live actors during the sporadic graphic scenes makes one felt like they were cheated by low-budget obviousness.
"Rollercoaster" is an obscure and dated film that was released at a time when disaster films were wearing out its welcome by the late 1970's. This movie might appeal to those who are nostalgic junkies or fans who love old movies and of course there are a few enthusiasts who insist that this movie is a top-notch heart-pulsing thriller. Sorry folks I'm not on your side for this one. This movie is one long, slow ride that will inspire you to seek elsewhere for more fun rides. Even the shaking, trembling seats would not have held my interest if I was old enough to had seen when it was released in 1977.
Timothy Bottoms stars as a unnamed bomber who's modus operandi is to wring out $1 million from amusement park owners after observing that getting through security is a piece of cake. While at the amusement parks, he places explosives on the roller-coaster tracks and releases the bombs with the help of a remote trigger and promises to inflict more damage unless his demands are compromised. George Segal plays Insp. Harry Calder, a cantankerous man trying to quit smoking by using shock therapy, seems to have more access knowledge than the other detectives and just knows the right strategy needed to outsmart this sadistic fiend. He becomes the right person for the job while sacrificing his safety and finds himself in one precarious situation after another.
Like its predecessors, this movie has an ensemble of talented thespians, although it doesn't really feature very many A-list performers. The only two standouts are popular 1970's performer George Segal and the very iconic Henry Fonda who was lowered to a very low supporting role and doesn't really have much to do here. There are debuts from younger performers who would go onto bigger and better roles in the future. Helen Hunt is in this movie playing Harry's daughter Tracy Calder. Although he did not get credit for his performance, Steve Guttenberg has a cameo role as a messenger. And voice legend Michael Bell is here in a small role as Chuck Demerest.
During the time of its release, there was some speculation that theatres wanted to add more to the sound systems by creating more dimension to get the audience pumped up by creating sound-waves where bass speakers came into effect which would manipulate the theatre chairs to tremble on impact and to add extra sound during explosives, almost as though the audience was in on the action. This archaic technology was there way before HD and 3D were invented. I guess this was desperate move to keep the audience awake from their slumber because it sure didn't keep me awake.
Even the technical features were a bummer as well. Lalo Schifrin's pedestrian score sounded like a giant rip-off to Hitchcock's "Psycho". And who in their right minds though that glam-rock musician Russell Mael of Sparks could act? Now "Big Boy" will etched in my mind for a very long time. For amusement park aficionados will marvel at the amusement park footages, but will not grab anyone else's attention if you are not. Even though there are a lot of casualties I the movie, the audience gets to witness only one. I guess the audience must be dumb or hard at seeing, but there are obvious dummies replacing live actors during the sporadic graphic scenes makes one felt like they were cheated by low-budget obviousness.
"Rollercoaster" is an obscure and dated film that was released at a time when disaster films were wearing out its welcome by the late 1970's. This movie might appeal to those who are nostalgic junkies or fans who love old movies and of course there are a few enthusiasts who insist that this movie is a top-notch heart-pulsing thriller. Sorry folks I'm not on your side for this one. This movie is one long, slow ride that will inspire you to seek elsewhere for more fun rides. Even the shaking, trembling seats would not have held my interest if I was old enough to had seen when it was released in 1977.