JOY RIDE 3 (2014)

Written & Directed By: Declan O’Brein 
Based on Characters Created By: Clay Tarver & J.J. Abrams 
Cinematography By: Michael Marshall 
Editor: Michael Trent 

Cast: Ken Krizinger, Jessie Hutch, Ben Hollingsworth, Kirsten Prout, Leela Savasta

Rusty Nail is back on the road again looking to punish injustice at every turn - and this time it's with a group of hotheaded street racers on their way to the Road Rally 1000. As they drive through a desolate shortcut on the way to the race, an encounter with Rusty turns sour and soon he is tracking, teasing and torturing them until the end of the road.

I tried to go Into this film looking for something a little ridiculous, but fun in the horror genre.

The film begins with a opening kill. That reminds me of horror films of the 90's where there was an opening kill to set the tone and maybe reasons for the killings throughout the rest of the film. Here it is more just random. (They also would usually get a star of some fame to cameo as the first kill)

This is where the film gets any nudity an sex out of the way by having two junkies on the prowl for more drugs inciting the killer rusty nails by trying to rob him. The film takes off from here

The original joyride was more of a thriller with some horror elements. I didn't see the sequel, but somehow came upon this sequel. To find they have now humanized rusty into an actual being where as in the first film it was more all you heard was a voice and saw a shape sometimes.

The premise originally was more cat and mouse taking on a series of dares to embarass that then became out of hand. Here the killer is just malicious to anyone who crosses his path. Sure there are challenges but he constantly cheats.

Here we get a cast of types not reel characters and we know what is going to happen every step of the way. I can only note the use of practical effects instead of CGI as the only thing that impressed me about the film.

Now I know what to expect and wasn't looking for something great out of a straight to DVD sequel. My problem with the film is that, I know they are trying to make an iconic horror film character a phantom of sorts. But what I didn't like is that instead of thrills and chills or even creativity. This film only offers death graphic deaths that the film takes a certain glee in celebrating. That feels not necessarily gratuitous but shows to a degree that his film has nothing noteworthy other than that to offer. I could deal with it if these deaths were creative. Here they just feel cruel and malicious. Like they are the money shots in a porn. To me that is the most unsettling part about his film. It is mean spirited then wants us to laugh at the victims with the killer. I can understand when it's strangely a Freddy Kruger who had one liners and was somewhat charismatic and is determined in his duties. More after A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3 where he became more an horror icon. Forgetting his past as a child murderer from Part 1 and 2. His films appeal was that he was killing teenagers and parents didn't seem to understand as the kids pain for their sins. As the film was marketed to teens it was strange that they were all the victims but I believe it was a case of at least being represented. Though as the films were rated R unless a parent was buying he ticket they weren't allowed to see the film at least not until it came on home video. Though teenagers are resourceful and saw the films sooner or later.

If you are looking for not torture porn, but gore porn this is a film for you, but if you are looking for some creativity or quality with your horror of course you probably already know to skip this film

Grade: D-