Highway to Hell

Charlie Sykes (Chad Lowe) and his girlfriend Rachel Clark (Kristy Swanson) are traveling to Las Vegas to secretly get married to each other. They decide to follow through a secondary road, and while fueling their car in "Sam's Last Chance" gas station, they are advised by the owner and attendant Sam (Richard Farnsworth) to not sleep after the second tree in the road. They fall asleep in the car, and a policeman arrests Rachel. Charlie returns to the gas station, and Sam tells him that she has been arrested by a Hellcop, and he has to go to hell if he wants to rescue his fiancée.

"Highway to Hell" is a gem underrated in IMDb. I have seen this cult-movie at least six times, and I really love it. I have an used VHS, and I do not know why this movie has never been released on DVD. The clumsy baby face hero Chad Lowe has a great adventure trying to bring his girlfriend back from Hell. The now famous Ben Stiller, in the beginning of his career, is very hilarious in the role of a cook, and also as Attila the Hun at the table with Hitler and Cleopatra. The special effects and the music score are very good and I really recommend this movie for fans of a trash and funny original adventure. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Estrada Para o Inferno" ("Highway to Hell")

Note: On 19 September 2010, I saw this film again.

Note: On 19 August 2013, I saw this film again.

Note: On 02 November 2020, I saw this film again.

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.

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.

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)