Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby

'Freeway II' is just slightly disappointing compared to the original 'Freeway', but once again shows that writer/director Matthew Bright has ideas and attitude to spare. The first movie retold Little Red Riding Hood, this one takes on Hansel and Gretel. Natasha Lyonne is no Reese Witherspoon, but her spunky role here as White Girl, and her memorable turn in the forgotten gem 'Slums Of Beverly Hills' proves that she is more talented than lame-brained crud like the 'American Pie' series and 'Detroit Rock City'. Maria Celedonio had up until this point passed me by apart from a small role in Schrader's 'Touch', but she is sensational here as the psychotic necrophile Cyclona. Vincent Gallo ('Buffalo 66', 'The Funeral', 'Palookaville') has never been less than mesmerizing on screen, even in his dialogue-less blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameos in 'Goodfellas' and 'Basquiat', but portraying the utterly freaky Sister Gomez is one of his most bizarre moves to date! Gallo seems set on carrying on the scene stealing nut job reputation of the late legendary Timothy Carey. More power to him! Gallo even brings along his 'Truth Or Consequences NM' co-star Max Perlich ('Drugstore Cowboy', 'Georgia', 'Gummo') as Flacco, a mumbling hunchback. Perlich doesn't completely surpass his similarly gonzo bit part in Johnny Depp's 'The Brave', but it's great to see him try! 'Freeway II' will appeal to fans of Gregg Araki, John Waters and Bruce McDonald more than Michael Bay lovers that's for sure! A must see for trash cinema lovers.

It's difficult to know how to react to oddball films like this.They're not funny enough to be called black comedies and not clever enough to be termed satires. Obviously the director wants us to be shocked and disgusted and just as obviously wants us to keep on watching, in this I think he succeeds in all directions. No matter what the reactions I think very few people will not see it through to the end for the pacing is just right with action scenes coming at just the right moments.

There's a somewhat cheap look to the production, photography is sometimes poor but there are a few nicely composed scenes. The acting is excellent with Vincent Gallo a standout as Sister Gomez.

See it by all means but you have been warned.

This film doesn't deserve the hammering it seems to be getting at the hands of the IMDB voters. Maybe Freeway II does try a bit too hard to be trendy, and Vincent Gallo is a bit irritating. On the positive side, there is some great photography, especially when the girls hit Mexico, the soundtrack is fantastic and Natasha Lyonne is awesome.

If you want to rent something a bit colorful, then you could do a lot worse.

Freeway and Freeway 2 are my all-time favorite movies!! I'll admit Freeway was more mainstream with very little sex and violence, and Reese Witherspoon is stunning and superb as Vanessa, but Freeway 2 breaks ALL the rules!! I've watched it several times and have it on VHS. This movie's got it all: girls in prison, bad girls gone badder,lesbianism, miscegeny, menstruation, childhood sexual abuse, bulimia, female serial killers, necrophilia, incest, hypocrisy in religion, radical feminism, chicks who pose as hookers to beat up and rob male tricks, manifestations of sexism and racism (in a very satirical way). The best part is that these things are all represented in an in-your-face matter-of-fact way. Its no sappy, emo-drama, Lifetime "channel for women" type of deal. This movie ROCKS! O, and there is some male frontal nudity at the end. I wonder, is that REALLY Vincent Gallo in that scene or just a prop??

This movie was soo twisted I couldn't help myself...I couldn't stop watching...I hate the friggin title since it has NOTHING to do with the movie, but I've never seen anything like it...I loved the Hanzel and Gretel twist...Natasha Lyonne has become one of my fav actresses...A must see!!!...I cannot believe I completely lived my life for three years without knowing this movie even existed...