Route 666

ROUTE 666 isn't really a horror movie, though that's probably where you'll find it in the video story. Like TREMORS, ROUTE 666 is more of an old-fashioned B movie, the kind of film you'd see as the second feature at a 50s drive-in back. The plot is pretty basic: federal marshals transporting a key witness to testify in Los Angeles are stranded on a closed strip of Route 66 - known as Route 666 - and are besieged by the ghosts of four chain gang workers who were killed years before.

Lou Diamond Phillips is good, and Steven Williams manages to show some comedic skills with some funny dialogue and reactions. His frantic screaming for help after nearly being killed by one of the ghosts at an abandoned drive-in is particularly hilarious. He definitely has the best part of the film. Lori Petty isn't great, but at least she's not as bad as she can usually be, and Dale Midkiff is good, but the rest are pretty much unknowns in typical supporting roles. Veteran character L.Q. Jones plays the local sheriff with a secret.

The movie moves at a brisk pace, never dwelling on the quiet moments too long, and bringing some gritty, jittery camerawork to the action scenes, similar to the style of SAVING PRIVATE RYAN. Okay, ROUTE 666 is no PRIVATE RYAN, but it's not supposed to be. It's a well-crafted little suspense movie with some cool-looking zombie/ghosts, a good dose of comedy, lots of action, and a cool soundtrack that perfectly captures the feeling and bleakness of the landscape. I will definitely buy this one on DVD, but it would have been great to have a director commentary.

I saw this for the first time recently. Was on my radar for almost 2 decades. The movie is outdated but it is still one time watch for fans of the genre. The movie starts like an action film n turns into a horror one. A nice genre mash up. US marshals take a wrong turn while bringing in a witness. The road they take is a cursed one n local Sheriff knows the mystery behind it. As soon as blood falls on the ground, dead rise from the ground n kill people with jackhammer, huge hammer, pick axe, road rollers, etc. The best part about this film is that the entire stuff takes place in broad daylight in the middle of nowhere, with sun soaked settings.

Good tension throughout, the living-dead guys are creepy enough (not easy to pull off in bright desert sunlight), and the Native American shaman looks more like a deli counterman than the time-worn cinema stereotype--all in all, worth a look-see. Personally, I could have lived without all the jiggling camera work during the action shots, and the ending was a little weak, but otherwise I'd give it a 6 out of 10.

One big problem--though out of fairness it's not something that is peculiar to this flick alone. In fact, this has been a pet peeve of mine for years, and I dearly wish it would be advised against by every teacher of cinema...

ACTION RULE # 1: If people shoot the "bad thing" fifty damn times, and with no effect, THEN DON'T HAVE THEM KEEP ON DOING IT!

don't let my tagline fool you, i like route 666. as far as straight to dvd flicks go it's above average. it actually reminds of drive in style scary movies of the 50's and sixties. Lou Diamond is a solid lead, Lori petty works, i hate to say it but i liked Dale Midkiff. The plot had some merit, it was an original take on a unoriginal concept. However, the script, is one liner, after one liner after one liner. i laughed through the movie, though i'm not sure it's intended to be funny. the lines are enough to make the movie worth while and the make-up effects are a nice refreshing change from the cgi laden horror flicks of late. watch route 666, it's a fun ride, no doubt.

I am a really big Lou Diamond fan,and will see any movie he is in. But this movie is one of the worst I have EVER seen. I can't believe anyone would find anything good to say about it. The acting is atrocious and the zombies are pathetically unscary. AVOID !