The Junkman

I just picked up this little gem on DVD. If you are a fan of 1980's era car chase flicks then this a fun, cheesy ride. While not as gritty as the legendary GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS(a true classic of outlaw filmaking,) this one boasts slicker production values and the World's Record for most vehicles wrecked in a movie. Full of thrilling stunts, gratuitous car crashes, sexy eighties ladies and a prize winning pig. By the way, the DVD is great. Great picture and lots of bonus footage(A peak at H.B. Halecki's car and toy collection is a treat.) Have fun.

I bought the original a couple years back when the DVD first came out. Until a couple months ago i never knew of a sequel. Then one day i was at a discount department store on the Gold Coast when i found the original VHS copy of GONE IN 60 SECONDS PART II THE JUNKMAN. It was only $2 so i bought it. Later i found that it had been shipped up to Queensland from an old video store in Brompton South Australia. Any way, when i arrived home i chucked the movie on and watched it. I knew it was from the 80's and the styles were a bit off, but i enjoyed the movie. What else i enjoyed was the music, The fact that it was upbeat during the fast paced chase scenes and that the singers included the movie name and one of the major events that the movie was set around. The video wasn't in great condition so most of the middle to end of the movie was very fuzzy. This propelled me to go forth and find a remastered copy on DVD. Weeks later i found one and ordered it in. When it arrived i was excited, i was expecting soo much. But when i was watching it i noticed that something was removed from the original and replaced with something inferior. It was the music, the music that was written for THE JUNKMAN, gone, replaced with INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC??? So, i will rate the original 10 out of 10. But for the DVD 5 out of 10. H.B. "Tony" Halicki would be disappointed with what has become of one of his masterpieces.

Knowing this makes me wonder what the original music was like in the original GONE IN 60 SECONDS.

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!

yeah, thats true "The Junkman" is wonderful. This is one of the best movies with... what i talking about, it is the best movie with CARS.So men, boys also you ladies Watches this film it's horrible good!!! No really i'm not kidding, if you see it you'll never forget it. I promise. What only 67 votes SHAME OF YOU!!! And it's much better than the Dominic Sena's "Gone in sixty seconds"(2000) with Nicolas Cage. I think it's also better than the first part "Gone in 60 seconds"(1974). It's the best role of H.B. Halicki. Like you see now i'm big fan on this film, but my all family and friends love it. So what is conclusion? You must see it with you own to understand.