Car Crash
Prolific
Action Director Antonio Margheriti steps up a gear for his thunderously
entertaining vehicle ‘Car Crash’ which stars John Travolta’s elder
brother Joey , as a demolition derby racing driver doing more than just
Staying Alive.
The by the numbers plot is as opaque as a pigeon party pit stop on white
wash laundry hang out day at the White House but the cumulative affect
will leave you with an equally enjoyable experience that flies by with
measurable effect.
When successful racer Nick , as played by Joey Travolta , with friend and
business manager Paul are threatened off the racing circuit they call in a
favor from a stock car mechanic who delivers more than they bargained for
as he gives them the ultimate power car which he has spent years
perfecting.
The track side money mob ward Nick off from entering the big cash purse
end of season event known as The Imperial Crash knowing that he has the
ability to win it , but as he refuses to be in their clique his presence
could cost them dearly.
With the gleaming red dream machine attracting attention from two henchmen
pursuing Nick and Paul their paths cross with an attractive relic hunter
called Janice who soon becomes embroiled in a frantic road car chase ,
eventually leading to her accompanying the well meaning spirited duo on
their quest for off road glory.
Janice escorts the guys to the sprawling mansion of eccentric multi
millionaire and antiquities collector Kirby , as played with typically
scene stealing aplomb by the always watchable John Steiner , as she seeks
to sell him a particular piece that she believes to be extremely rare and
valuable.
The fun really unravels here as Kirby is more interested in owning the
super red rocket car but has to settle for a race around his grounds by
tempting Nick into a financial bounty if he manages to beat him one on
one. The amount on offer is too good to turn down as it is needed to
repair and enhance the racing thoroughbred prior to race day and so
audience appreciation time plays out with John Steiner reveling in his
hilarious upper crust madness as he weaves in and out of stone carved
ornaments , speeding neck and neck through water landscaped gardens as his
palatial grounds become a de-railed roller coaster for speed junkies.
After the spoils of fun are over the business deal between Kirby and
Janice turns sour as Kirby claims to be the sole owner of what is the one
true original , as opposed to the apparent fake statuette that Janice is
peddling to him , of the valuable relic and a fight breaks out. The
scuffle itself is an amusing distraction of eccentricity as Kirby’s
typically old style hooky butler stands side by side with Kirby in old
school boxing style stance , along with the hired help , against not only
a feisty girl but two strapping young men as fisticuffs play out amongst
the smashing of glass cabinets displaying the coveted collection of
priceless pieces.
The trio escape to continue their road quest to get to the Imperial Crash
but as their final goal is in sight they are cornered in a quarry as the
mob close in on them with Kirby and his butler watching with interest from
upon high as they hover in another of Kirby’s collectables with a
helicopter.
Seemingly cornered in by very large earth moving mechanical digging trucks
here we are treated to the delightful trade mark special effects , as
personally supplied by the multi talents of Antonio Margheriti himself ,
as excellent miniatures are interspersed with live action sequences
wondrously sped up as all manner of motorized vehicles skid , fly , crash
and explode including the often seen but always appreciated car jumping
train play which is worth the ticket to enjoy the ride in itself. With the deft use of handily available dynamite to save the day the stunt
filled quarry set up literally has an explosive finale which leaves the
rally car in less than perfect condition and so another race begins to get
the vehicle ready in time to compete. Time is against them though and when
race day arrives it is not just the pressure of competing which is against
Nick , as the mob are all around but there are a couple of twists and
turns yet to unravel along with the impending Imperial Crash track ahead.
The sheer vibrant nature of this sit back for the ride and enjoy excursion
is involving escapism that comes with confident recommendation.
Joey Travolta is as endearingly wooden as an Eric Estrada Chips guise
clone extracted from two wheels to four but , unlike his more famous
brother in recent years , keeps his spare tire in the back of the on
screen vibrant red road rooster for all not to see. The blistering good
looks of the car shine on screen as it eats up the road both in and out of
chase sequences but it is the scene stealing qualities of John Steiner ,
as the loopy Kirby , which will delight and raise a smile for all in
highlighting what a wonderfully accomplished and consummate character
actor he had become by this time in his illustrious career.
What Director Margheriti effortlessly delivers here by the truck load is
Fun , Fun , Fun and until daddy takes the T Bird away then ‘Car Crash’
gets the winners flag.
Review
By Paul Cooke
