The Junkman

H.B. Halicki, who thrilled many with some of the most exciting car chases in GONE IN 60 SECONDS, had this follow-up a few years later called THE JUNKMAN. This time, it's more amusing and hilarious than the previous film, and you will expect both more and the same with the almost nonstop action. In Halicki's second effort, there are big explosions, gunslinging, and a femme fatale out to catch Harlan B. Hollis' butt (he played the role). Don't be perturbed, though. It isn't THE original movie, but given the notorious stuntwork and a sense of humor, it still has its credentials. You'll be amazed with the low-flying aircraft, plus a never-before-seen idea of autos driving over front hoods! As films like this go, it doesn't hang onto any new innovations, and the crashes are nothing to get nutty about. Sometimes, cars crash directly on purpose, which is lame. Halicki's talent in making movies shouldn't be denied, as logos of GONE IN 60 SECONDS appear almost every time. That includes a familiar prop, the beaten-up yellow '73 Mustang he named "Eleanor"! This one's different, but it won't leave you disappointed. If nobody can agree with the professional movie critics on THE JUNKMAN, who will?

Eight years on from the original, GONE IN 60 SECONDS 2: THE JUNKMAN (As it was known pretty much everywhere outside the US) was a vastly bigger budgeted exercise in fender-bending. Whilst boasting a couple of the greatest auto stunts ever filmed, including a car flying OVER a plane, the film does not have the rawness of the original that made it the unique experience in auto-wrecking it was. They even managed to get Lynda Day George and Christopher Stone on to the pay roll!

The "chase" this time sees Halicki being pursued by two hitmen and one slinky and mega-cool hitwoman with designer handguns. Much of the car crashes are obviously deliberate and lack the spontaneity of the '74 flick. However the scene wherein Halicki tosses a live grenade over his head on to the guy behind him that blasts the Chev right over Halicki's Caddy, is the one to watch for. Ive never seen better in any action movie.

Heaps of reminders of the original in terms of posters and even a premiere for GONE IN 60 SECONDS. We are even privileged to see the original "Eleanor"....the crushed and battered yellow Mach 1 from the original movie (that Halicki kept for years as his most prized possession!) It infuriated me that Nicolas Cage was permitted to use that name for his Shelby Mustang in the 2000 remake, of which the less said, the better. It could never be anything but Harlan's!

For those of you who do not know, H B Halicki died doing what he loved best in August 1989, attempting an auto stunt for a sequel to GONE IN 60 SECONDS that was never completed. Doubtless he is in his element somewhere in that great garage in the sky!

This truly is one of the best car chase movies I've seen! It is comparable to Bullit, Ronin, Gone in 60 Seconds, etc. It is a classic combination of guns, explosives, & high speed car chases (and crashes!). While it is a lesser-known title than the others in its genre, the movie is action-packed from almost the very beginning through to the end. Additionally, this is the only movie I've seen wherein the main character is chased in a Cadillac Eldorado. Whether intentional or not, I found it somewhat ironic that the three cars involved in the main chase scene in the movie were each one from the Big 3 U.S. auto manufacturers. There's a GM, Ford, & Chrysler vehicle; I guess H. B. Halicki wanted to give equal recognition to each of the Big 3. In my opinion, the only reason it is not a perfect 10 is due to the mediocre acting and the distracting and sometimes annoying sub-plot. However, this still is a must-see for the car chase fanatic!

This film took two years to make because Toby Halicki took his time with the carefully executed stunts and numerous car chases featured in this movie. 150 cars were destroyed (an assortment of cars, trucks, planes, boats, etc.) that it was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records. This film actually has more of a story than Gone in 60 Seconds did as it's a loose autobiography of Halicki's own life as a junkyard owner turned filmmaker. It's a crying shame that Halicki died during filming of Gone in 60 Seconds 2 on August 20, 1989. Hopefully, someone will dig up much more footage of that lost film.

H.B. Halicki, who thrilled many with some of the most exciting crashes in GONE IN 60 SECONDS, had this follow-up a few years later called THE JUNKMAN. This time, it's more amusing and hilarious than the previous film, and you will expect both more and the same with the almost nonstop car chase action. New in Halicki's film are big explosions, gunslinging, and a femme fatale out to catch Harlan B. Hollis' butt (he also acted). Don't be perturbed, though. It isn't the original movie, but given the notorious stuntwork and a sense of humor, it still has its credentials. You'll be amazed by some camera work on the low-flying planes and a never-before-seen idea of autos driving over the front hoods! As films like this go, it doesn't hang onto any new innovations, and many of the car crashes are nothing to get nutty about. Sometimes, the cars crash directly on purpose, which is lame. Halicki's talent in making movies shouldn't be denied, as logos of GONE IN 60 SECONDS appear almost every time. That includes a familiar prop, the beaten-up yellow '73 Mustang he named "Eleanor"! This one's different, but it won't leave you disappointed. If nobody can agree with Leonard Maltin over THE JUNKMAN, who will?