Maximum Overdrive

I love Stephen King. I adore his books, I think he is one of the most brilliant writers in the history of mankind and I have loved most of his films especially the ones that truly capture the King vibe. Maximum Overdrive does not fit this bill. Ironically enough it is The Only Stephen King film written and directed by Stephen King himself as he touted that the best way to have “King” directed was to direct it himself.

While I admit the film does have some King flare to it…the isolation, the small rag tag group hidden away from some monstrosity fighting against each other and the supernatural but the film itself is campy, and kind of stupid, and despite it’s huge special effects and slightly disturbing plot line it just doesn’t really fit the scare tactic. It’s cornier and more laughable than anything. All that being said Maximum Overdrive is not a complete wash.

First of all, the cast is fairly decent, they seem to fit into the King vibe fairly well and its action is enough to keep you interested complete with laughs and some chills and some really gory kills. On top of that Maximum Overdrive has to the winner for most gratuitous use of “GOD” “LORD” etc. and every various way you can use the Lord’s name. It stands out like they did it on purpose. Definitely an “R” Rated film.

Eighties super-kid Emilio Estevez takes the lead as the rough and tough, bad boy hero. His character is very stereotypical and yet he is watchable in the role and adds enough to the film to keep it interesting. It’s just no great acting feat for him and he can act. Pat Hingle is terrific as the snarly, egotistical diner owner who immediately butts heads with Estevez. Hingle’s cowboy type villain is one of the best characters in the film.

Laura Harrington is the typical eighties eye candy gal, but she does get a little more substance. She’s rough around the edges, independent and very tom boyish right down to her name but seduces Estevez into bed…well a cot in the back of the diner/gas station. She is a little more active than just eye candy actually putting forth a hero type effort and her and Estevez are not bad together. Not a force of nature or anything.

Yeardley Smith (now best known as Lisa Simpson) plays torturingly annoying Connie who is supposed to be that way and man is she ever. She is one half of the Newlywed team stuck in the station and her voice is like nails on a chalk board. She’s the damsel in distress type and Smith does play the role I think it was supposed to be so kudos to her I suppose. John Short is her new husband, Curtis.

I would have liked to have seen more from his character as he does turn out a rather heroic performance and he’s kind of underused compared to the other characters and I think he has a really good character and could have pulled off more to it. Most horror fans really do appreciate a good campy flick and that is exactly what Maximum Overdrive is. I mean you can’t help but laugh in horror as all these electrical appliances start murdering people everywhere and these massive transport trucks stage a revolution against this tiny gas bar with these people inside.

The kills are plenty gruesome, and you almost start to see personality in the various trucks especially the Goblin truck which appears to be the leader of this crew. Somehow the story really does make you feel like these things have individual personalities and you start to feel the claustrophobia that comes from a Stephen King story but it won’t ever freak you out because the film is completely laughable and darkly comic but you know I would watch it again because it doesn’t try to be anything but.

King really didn’t do anything spectacular with this one and only directing debut. I mean you can see a little of his style but I think Mick Garris has captured more King style than this film does. I still would love to King come back to the helm for something he is passionate about but until then we can enjoy and laugh off this eighties cult classic.