Breakdown (1997) - Movie Review

Kurt Russell has been in some really good movies (Stargate, Executive Decision) and he has also been in some really bad movies (Escape from LA, Soldier). Luckily, Breakdown is one of his better films, and it is a slightly different change of pace for him.

In this movie, he plays a husband who lets his wife drive off with a trucker after his car breaks down. He later finds out what is wrong with the car and continues on to where he was supposed to meet her, but she doesn't show up. What ensues is a life and death struggle against a group of kidnappers who want $90,000.

At the basis of everything, Breakdown is an action movie, but it is more suspenseful than action-packed. There are some good action scenes, but nothing too explosive; the movie is entirely realistic, which actually makes the story a little creepy, since this could quite possibly end up happening to a real person.

Russell does a good job as the main character, and the supporting cast, mainly the bad guys, are also very convincing.

The ending might be a little disappointing for some who are hoping for a slightly more original ending, as this is where Breakdown really begins to look like a typical ending. Nevertheless, it serves its purpose and wraps up a pretty decent film.

One person I watched this movie noted that it would have been nice to see the wife's perspective of the story, and thinking about that, it would have been sort of nice to have a flashback. Of course, at the same time, it probably would not have helped the pace of the movie.

Breakdown is a good but not great movie. It has some good twists and turns, and I think the best part about it is that this could potentially happen to you.

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