Autopista al infierno

I got a videotape of this feature, and I wonder why it isn't a cult favourite, because the concept is great and the finished film is excellent.

I know that HTH probably wasn't a big-budget picture, but it doesn't show because the production design and effects are great. The Hellcop himself is an excellent villain, truly menacing. Patrick Bergin is pretty good as the Devil. There are some cute jokes, such as the road to Hell literally being paved with good intentions and Hitler, Cleopatra and Atilla The Hun hanging out at a restaurant in the underworld.

THE STRAIGHT STORY's Richard Farnsworth is good in a cameo as the wise old man who knows of the Highway to Hell. Kristy Swanson and the guy playing Charlie are okay in their roles. There are also two cool cars: the Hellcop's squad car and the '48 Ford Farnsworth gives Charlie for the journey to Hell. I would really like to see this film released on DVD someday, with commentary. I give it a confident thumbs-up.

Look out for cameos from Ben and Jerry Stiller and rocker babe Lita Ford. Lita has one of the best lines in the flick.

Highway To Hell is an instant cult classic about a hidden road to Hell, where Hellcop snatches up virgins for Old Nick. This is a satirical horror comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously. This stars Kristy Swanson (the original Buffy) in this ridiculous, but highly entertaining film. There are some notable cameos from Lita Ford, Gilbert Godfrey, Ben Stiller and most of The Stiller family. I have fond memories when I first saw this on HBO and I have a copy on VHS somewhere. Highway To Hell is a cool flick and good cheesy fun.

As the one who did the main title and effects for Highway to Hell I can only answer this way...no budget...some cheesiness intentional. I must say I had a lot of fun trying to build all these effects with a $1.98 (almost). Didn't think it would turn out as funny and cultish as it did. Patrick Bergin, a really fine actor, is worth watching. Not easy acting under 40lbs. of make up.

Watch out for this one! It starts out as a slight horror comedy, gets increasingly more bizarre as it goes along, and finally adds up to something almost visionary. Certainly one of the most original and offbeat horror films to come out in a long time, this one almost demands a second viewing just to appreciate the imaginative production design, and a third just to catch all the throwaway gags (a sign reads "Road To Nowhere" and, in smaller letters, "Don't Buckle Up. It Won't Help"). Good cast, too, with Patric Bergin being perfectly enigmatic in the first half, perfectly imposing in the second. How refreshing to finally find a film that breaks away from the traditional formulas and dares to do something new and different! (***1/2)

I think I saw this movie for the first time on USA Up All Night, because it totally seems like the sort of thing they'd have played. It's a bit cheesy and campy, but if you like that sort of thing, then you'll probably love it. It seamlessly blends elements from many varied genres into a quirky comedy-fantasy, though I think maybe some people were a bit confused or put off by the lack of clearly defined genre conventions. In some ways, it's similar to Army of Darkness, though it lacks many of the over-the-top gags and one-liners of that movie.

If you're a fan of Brian Helgeland, you really owe it to yourself to check this out. It's one of my favorites of his, though I suspect he'd probably prefer that we just forgot about his early work (Nightmare on Elm Street 4, 976-EVIL, Highway to Hell) and concentrate rather on his Academy Award-nominated work, such as Mystic River. Anyways, the story is about a kid who has to rescue his girlfriend, after she's abducted by the Hell Cop (Friday the 13th Part VI's C.J. Graham), who takes her to hell. So, right away you've got an actor who played Jason Vorhees and the writer of Nightmare on Elm Street 4. If that's not enough to sell you on this movie, I'm not really sure what else to say, except that Gilbert Gottfried plays Hitler, in a brief cameo. The movie plays out as part road trip through Hell, part comedy, and part thriller. The parts in Hell are creative, imagining it as a mirror image of our world, except somewhat more bizarre and surreal, like something from Mad Max, complete with biker gangs and vast expanses of blasted wasteland (probably Death Valley).

Come to think of it, maybe the reason why I like this movie so much is because it combines Mad Max with Army of Darkness. If that concept appeals to you, I can't recommend this highly enough. If, on the other hand, you're thinking that it sounds ridiculous, maybe it's best that you don't waste your time, as it seems that this movie isn't really beloved by all. Perhaps it's a bit too quirky.

I think that if it were given a chance, it could easily develop into a cult favorite.