"I'm gonna scare the hell out of you," intones Stephen King in the trailer for his sole directorial effort, the much-maligned Maximum Overdrive. While the end result doesn't live up to that boast, this sci-fi/horror tale i... more »sn't as awful as it's been described. King's script (based on his short story "Trucks") focuses on the patrons of a North Carolina truck stop, which comes under attack by a convoy of trucks and other machines animated by Earth's passage through the tail of a "rogue comet." King's fans, tired of half-baked screen adaptations like Cujo and Children of the Corn, expected a horror home run from Maximum Overdrive and instead got an old-fashioned drive-in movie filled with car crashes, cheapjack gore, and fart jokes. Needless to say, they stayed away in droves; the film's failure helped ruin producer Dino De Laurentiis's DEG Films and forced King to sheepishly claim that he had created a modern-day Plan Nine from Outer Space. While the film is torpidly paced and often amateurishly acted, it's no worse than any direct-to-video thriller, and King's ear for dialogue occasionally shines through the gloom. Emilio Estevez and Pat Hingle register as a heroic cook and his black-hearted boss, respectively; the cast includes Yeardley Smith (Lisa Simpson's voice), Giancarlo Esposito, and Marla Maples (!) as a victim. Anchor Bay's letterboxed print is the R-rated theatrical version; the film was cut extensively after receiving an X rating for violence. The original trailer and a thorough biography on King are also included. --Paul Gaita« less
"I have been watching this movie since I was about 7 years old and still never get tired of it. I have probably seen it about 150 times and continue to find enjoyment. There is a review posted that completly bashes this movie and basically tells readers not to waste their time. Well, I have to disagree. While the mvie is not nearly as good as the book(are they ever???), it still has strong entertainment value.
First, it humorous and not because it's cheesy, but because it is funny! The dialgoue between characters, the situations they are put in and the reactions some have to the machines taking over; are all reasons to watch this movie.
The acting might not be the best, but by no means, is it bad. Emilio Estevez is our main character, and does a fine job as Bubba, an ex-convict, short-order diner cook. His boss(who's name I can't remember), plays your typical Texan in charge of his business, who amazingly has a secret stash of bazookas and guns below the diner(perfect for antagonizing the trucks outside). I also love the newlyweds in this movie. I believe their names are Curtis and Connie and they are a ball of laughs.
Honestly folks, this movie is very entertaining and suitable for younger kids to watch. There really aren't many scares(I was never afraid to watch this movie as a child), but there is mild gore and a few thrilling moments.
Great job Mr. King!!!"
Great Movie!! No Extras to Brag About!!
Throbbin' Hood | Limbo | 08/06/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I loved this movie as a kid, and still love it now! Such a classic that deserves more extra junk than it's getting on the DVD treatment. I gotta admit, though: the new cover is an improvement over the abortion they used in the theaters and VHS cover, though I do miss the body hanging out of the grill as in an earlier version.
This was adapted and directd by my fave, Steve King. Though I'm not too crazy about the soundtrack (Who Made Who), the movie still holds up well today...despite it's cheese-factor.
Oh, and I loved the scene where the dork gets blasted in the eyes with gasoline, and then later gets his head squashed by the truck; dude should have stayed home that day!"
Totally awesome in all the wrong ways.
Kimby The Chomp | 09/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"people say that this movie is stupid and a pittiful attempt at making a good story a movie. to tell you the truth, i find it awesome, but for all the wrong reasons. this movie is completely hilarious! the special effects are so bad that you can't help but laugh. a truck backs into a guy at 2 miles an hour, and blood splatters everywhere. a steam roller mows down a field of little leaguers, who cant seem to run fast enough to escape the "mighty" speed of such a slow machine. somehow, there is convienently a little go-kart looking thing that has an automatic weapon on it. if you are looking for a SERIOUS film, this is definately not for you. but if you enjoy berating and laughing at awful movies, this one is sure to provide an evening of disgustingly hilarious entertainment."
Masculine Overdrive!!! AC/DC ROCKS!!!
Robb | Hell Centro , USA | 09/26/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"How could anyone in their right mind give this a review of anything less than 5 stars???Ok, ok...Maybe I'm a little biased being that I'm one of the biggest AC/DC fans in the whole world. But besides that, How could you have not loved this flick? First off... The box itself warns you on the cover A: Steven King flick and B: AC/DC does the entire soundtrack. So there, you've been warned... if you don't like either one of those, you had no business renting/buying/viewing the movie. The film itself differs from your typical King story(Not to mention it was written for the screen)... It was a simple concept yet, a fun concept: Virtually anything with a motor or electronic circuitry with the potential to maim and/or kill life on earth is brought to animation by a mysterious green glow sent out by alien life forms awaiting to take over the soon to be vacant planet!!! And so the story goes, 10-15 people are trapped in the Dixie Boy truck stop in either North or South Carolina (I forget which)with nothing but brains, beer and a small yet sufficient cache of weapons, including but not limited to: Machine guns, bazookas/rocket launchers and grenades!!! If they can hold out long enough against the army of diesel trucks that surrounds them, they just might make it out alive!!! Oh, and did I mention that AC/DC does the entire soundtrack?!?! Which,might I add, if you were to only own one AC/DC album, it should be "Who made who?" the Official soundtrack to this monster of a movie!! Personally, I can watch this movie anytime and it makes my day a whole lot better...of course, to each is own. Not to mention that I am kind of a redneck. Bottom line though,whether your a King fan,an AC/DC fan, or just a fan of Big trucks, rednecks, guns and beer with a whole lotta explosions... Buy this movie, you won't be dissapointed!!! Until then...Adios Amigos!..............thebluetape..."
MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE
Tom Patrick | 03/31/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE is a funny, gory, end of the world thriller from Stephen King (who directs for the first time from one of his published short stories). The story is about a comet that flies across the Earth, and after that, machines all over the world begin to come to life and take on a life force of there own (cars and trucks run down innocent people, electric knives cut there victims, soda pop machines shoot soda cans out like grenades, etc.). The main part of the story takes place at a gas station where the machines have people trapped inside, fighting for there lives, and figuring out a way to escape. The music to this movie is nothing but memorable songs from the great rock band AC/DC."