When the movie is called Cop Car you just know it has to be good. The title suggests an original premise and this is what drives the story forwards in an uneven tempo. That’s also the movie’s biggest problem, as the pacing is a bit too unpredictable. However, depending on your taste, this can even be a positive thing. It feels like one of the better episodes of Breaking Bad (oh, who am I kidding, there are no bad Breaking Bad episodes), with its setting and the way story plays out.
Realistic and engaging, Cop Car builds the strangest tension, making a contrast between what we should and shouldn’t do depending on the fact of is anyone watching. Add to this two very talented young actors and Mr. Kevin Bacon himself and you got yourself a very good thriller. It’s honest and unpretentious, focusing on well-developed characters and an engaging story. Something that’s a bit of a rarity nowadays where you have to have some grand narrative.
Travis and Harrison are two young boys up to nothing in particular, just wandering the fields and enjoying their life. Then they stumble upon an abandoned cop car and the plot thickens. After some deliberation and daring, they find themselves driving the car and having the time of their life. They don’t know that their lives are about to change forever.
There’s something about watching two teenagers doing stupid shit that’s bound to get them into trouble. You want to scream no, don’t do it, but you know that they wouldn’t listen to you anyway. It’s frightening to see what’s the reasoning of the average teen. And even more so if we think that we used to be like them. It all feels incredibly wrong, but on the other hand shit like this happens every day.
Cop Car could have been a cult classic, but somewhere along the way, it veered off the path. The second part of the movie feels a bit strange and underwhelming. Something that could be a consequence of such a phenomenal setup. The cinematography was simply mesmerizing with beautiful vistas and open plains inviting you to go outdoors. I also urge you not to watch the trailer for this movie, as it will reveal a lot of the story.
Finally, if you’re looking for similar movies, I recommend you check out Transpecos featuring a similar setting and cinematography. Additionally, you can always browse our Subversive Rabbit section Small Town Crime Movies. Enjoy.
Director: Jon Watts
Writer: Jon Watts, Christopher D. Ford
Cast: Kevin Bacon, James Freedson-Jackson, Hays Wellford, Camryn Manheim, Shea Whigham, Kyra Sedgwick
Fun Facts: Budget for Cop Car was $5 million.
Rating:
IMDb Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3813310/
