VANish

OK so the first half hour of this movie was tough to get through because the acting was very poor - or so I thought...

After watching the whole movie I rate the acting quite good, especially from Maiara Walsh, who was brilliant. Initially the two guys in the van appeared to be complete half wits and I thought it was the acting but thinking about it, some of it was the characters they were playing - who were morons...

Considering the very limited sets and budget, this movie delivers an enjoyable ride. Some of the violence effects are second rate and some acting is below par but generally good - and as I have mentioned - Maiara played a good part - and is drop dead gorgeous to boot :) 6 stars - OK this should really have got a 5 stars but gave it an extra one because of Maiara Walsh :)

I was immediately gripped withing seconds of watching 'VANish'. When meeting Max and Jack, you can't help but become attached to the characters, even though you speculate that maybe, they aren't the most wholesome of characters. It becomes evident upon kidnapping Emma, that they have very little experience in the matter, especially when they add the undoubtedly awkward Shane into the mix. They all travel towards their destination with what seems to be separate motives and as it all begins to unravel, you're sitting on the edge of your seat, captivated by action and delightfully demoniac violence as the plot twists further.

It's visually stunning and brought me to that same blissful state of entertainment that I would normally get from a Tarantino or Rodriguez film. It's like nothing I've seen before, the fact that it takes part almost wholly in the van adds to the thrill factor, as if you were yourself, along for the ride. It is a masterful feat that Bryan Bockbrader, wrote, directed, produced and starred in the film and that kind of dedication is few and far between. The appearances by seasoned pro's Tony Todd and Danny Trejo adds to the frenzy of excitement. The cast has wonderful chemistry and the writing is extremely intelligent and engrossing. All and all, a gripping outside of the box (while inside a van)tale unlike any kidnapping thriller you'll ever watch. It's available on DVD, Blue Ray, Video on demand and iTunes and I highly recommend checking it out.

This is a kidnapping for ransom with a twist film. While a ransom demand was made there is more going on than simply wanting cash.

This is a low budget film but I didn't find it to bad as bad as some of these horror snobs have made out. I thought the plot was decent, the acting wasn't awful but it wasn't great and the camera work was passible.

I liked that it was bloody and for the most part, it had a steady pace. It isn't great but it isn't an unbearable movie either. You'll just have to check it out and see how you like it.

What hooked me in was that they had Danny Trejo's mug on the poster (which by the way I think is one of the better indie posters I've seen in a long time). Now, I always come in with very low expectations when it comes to a Danny Trejo film as he's in every single film you can imagine so his quality control is scant. Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It surprised me on how entertaining it was having only been shot entirely in a van! The director Bryan Bockbrader highlights this very well, using the tight space and passenger POV to claustrophobic effect. His performance as the sadistic half-brother to the film's protagonist played by Austin Abke is equally effective in its own right. Performances were solid overall with what may possibly be a career-turning role for Maiara Walsh as the acerbic and witty abductee of the brother's scheme to rip off her formidable, drug lord father: the one, the only, Danny Trejo. Tony Todd's brief but memorable cameo was especially exciting to see as well as new comer Adam Guthrie as the junk fiend, ex-military buddy along for the ride. Though maybe not an awards contender, VANish is a fun, fast-paced thrill ride that is sure to entertain even Trejo skeptics like me.

well i am fan of Danny Trejo Machete, From Dusk Till Dawn, Dead in Tombstone, a lot more i love with his movies. reason i watched this movie i love R Rated bloody, shooting, chopping, lots of swearing, Mexican style cartels witch i really like my type of movies there was not much to say and watch again for second time because the movie didn't do much i love gore but trouble is i know Danny trejo is not main character for movie i like him as villain but i just didn't like characters and camera what they filmed looked terrible the way it's shot plot is easy made like director is out of ideas what's to write quick story OK i like quick story i have no problem with it but this movie has noting to do with Taken or Gunman films.

story follows is that girl named Emma (Maiara Walsh)was girl got kidnapped and forced to go at a road trip similar story like from dusk till dawn when George Conney taken family as hostage to go to Mexico but in this film you have 3 guys jack (Austin Abke), Max (Bryan Bockbrader), Shane (Adam Guthrie)were driving to met Carlos (Danny Trejo) was cartel was her father. in very half way of movie it's all about 3 guys and 1 girl in van driving like million miles these 3 characters were just idiots specially 3rd guy Shane when he had plan to escape Emma to find shotgun, then Max find out later about plan Shane kills him and leaves him the scene was very graphic scene i have ever saw very well made for low budget with blood with good work on it. thing is Shane turned against Emma because Shane has a blackout there was scene when Emma blows Shane head with double barrel shotgun to his head witch had very great action it and dialog when Shane said i got Axe Emma I GOT SHOTGUN BANG ! ending shooting scene was noting to it i thought another characters were boring specially jack was just jerk first of all he turned into bad guy to good guy ? come on i wish that was Danny trejo no problem with him as villain but him as good would not be that bad just way it ended like noting 4.10 noting special good gore bloody weren't that much CGI it is very low budget movie. there is Alternate Ending of movie i am not sure of on blu ray

there was a lot of gore high impact violence i love it that way it had less impact violence the movie didn't had much of action it had more of crime, thriller type of thing when you don't have much Action in movie. Danny trejo doesn't show up like almost to end of movie just shots sub machine gun at end movie went for 98 minutes long that's it i expect more then that for main role for trejo apart using him as villain i thought main actress Maiara Walsh wasn't too bad but i expect someone else Mexican actress i had no problem with actress and Danny trejo doesn't appear from ending of movie witch is just poor made for him to be in mostly for 1 hour of movie it's 3 idiots and Emma is hostage OK but eh this movie is noting special 4.10