Maximum Overdrive (1986)
Director: Stephen King
Starring: Emilio Estevez, Pat Hingle, Laura Harrington
Out here autumn is already in the air and some of the trees are even starting to change colors. This makes me immeasurably happy because not only is fall my favorite season but it also means I get to binge on my favorite genre of film: Horror. Since its still only August and my yearly October marathon is still a month and a half away I figured I'd write up one of my favorite guilty pleasures: Maximum Overdrive. The film is horror writer Stephen King's first, and only, directorial effort. King, deciding that after many movie adaptations of his novels that he didnt enjoy, figured that if he wanted it done right he would have to do it himself. Well was he right? Lets dive right in and find out!
The plot, based off of a short story by Stephen King called "Trucks", centers around a group of people trapped in a gas station by a group of autonomous semi trucks. Yes you read that correctly. The trucks are "alive" because of a comet that is passing by the earth and is now causing all machinery to want to kill humans. Yep you read that one right too. The humans are lead by a good hearted ex con (Emilio Estevez) and his spunky and newly aquired girlfriend (Laura Harrington). Side dishes also include the boss/owner, a newlywed couple with the most annoying bride you'll ever have the displeasure of meeting, and a waitress who is going off her rocker. Oh and did I mention the stash of automatic rifles and rocket launchers in the basement of the gas station?
So did that description sound fun? Thats because it totally is! I think you can see why I enjoy this movie so much. Does Stephen King succeed where he felt others had failed? In all respects I think he did. The movie has all the dark humor and blood and guts of one of his books and not even the kids are spared in a hilarious attack by a disgruntled soda machine! The cast all performs admirably and the special effects and production design are top notch. King also hand pick the hard rock band AcDc to provide the score which makes a beyond perfect fit. If your looking for a movie that doesnt take itself or the veiwer seriously, check this one out, I doubt you'll be disappointed. Who made who indeed.
Trivia from IMDB for Maximum Overdrive:
Stephen King, being a former cocaine addict, later admitted that he was "coked out of my mind" the entire time he was making this picture and often didn't know what he was doing. He remarked that he'd like to try directing again someday, this time sober.
The head on the main truck is based on that of Marvel Comics' Green Goblin.
The "Dixie Boy" truck stop was a set constructed 10 miles outside of Wilmington, North Carolina. It was convincing enough that several truckers tried to stop in, and eventually the producers had to put announcements in local papers saying that the "Dixie Boy" was just a movie set.
The "Dixie Boy" truck stop was a set constructed 10 miles outside of Wilmington, North Carolina. It was convincing enough that several truckers tried to stop in, and eventually the producers had to put announcements in local papers saying that the "Dixie Boy" was just a movie set.
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