Cop Car is an
independent film featured in very few theaters, but is one of the new films,
luckily for me, to be almost immediately released in digital formats. The film
is relatively simple one featuring a small cast with two children at the center
of it all. It presents itself through
every turn with a sense of wickedness and builds tension ever so slightly to
craft a taut thriller.
The film opens with
the two boys, Harrison (Hays Wellford) and Travis (James Freedson-Jackson),
roaming through the open fields, seemingly running away from home, until they
stumble upon an abandoned cop car. Though very nervous at first, the boys act
as every kid would and begin to investigate the car. Things get progressively
worse (or better if you’re the boys), as they actually begin to drive the car
wildly around. Of course someone isn’t too happy about this, as Sheriff Kretzer
(Kevin Bacon) has stashed something crucial and dangerous in the trunk.
And that’s
basically the premise of the story.
We’re never told why the boys are leaving. We are never told the
backstory of why this sheriff is doing the dastardly things he does. The story
is simply in the moment of what will happen between these characters in this
suspenseful game of cat and mouse.
Now I won’t say Cop
Car jumped on my radar right away, in fact the film itself wasn’t what made me
interested in seeing it. No instead the immediate grab for me was in fact the
director. For those who don’t know,
Spider-Man is getting another reboot and the director was recently announced to
be none other than the director of this small film, Jon Watts.
Watts is able to
put forth an effort with a very Coen brothers feel, featuring dark and twisted
comedy throughout. He gets the best out of the child actors and manages to make
their decisions and dialogue feel like what an actual kid might say. The
camerawork is pretty great, using long shots that present a absurdity to the
film or even the more intimate close-up at all the right times.
As said before, the
two kids in the film actually play their parts well. They don’t act way too old
and make all the stupid, naïve decisions that kids would make. And of course
Kevin Bacon as the villainous sheriff is the clear winner here. The actor’s
icy, manipulative performance is a fantastic performance to watch, as he
continues to be cunning and quick on his feet through every obstacle on his way
to retrieving his stolen vehicle.
Overall Cop Car is solid outing for a director
with not much on his resume. The tension is built throughout as you worry for
the boys and every stupid decision they might make. The performances are pretty
spectacular all around and they really help to get you invested in a story that
doesn’t have much meat on its bones. If there was any worry about Spider-Man
before (cough Vacation writers cough), I think they can be put to
rest as long as Jon Watts is at the helm. (8.0/10)
So what did you think of Cop Car? Have you seen it, are you interested in seeing it, or have you even had the chance to see it? Sound off below with your comments or feedback and remember to come back for weekly reviews.
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