Grossly misunderstood and mis-marketed allegory
Added 10/7/2009
This is a modern, sharp, and extraordinarily imaginative update on the eternal stories of making that life journey that ends in enlightenment, the Grail, wisdom... etc. In ways it's a retelling of works like Siddhartha and The Inferno. Unfortunately, some knowledge of myths and legends is required to fully understand a lot of the details and references. Since its release it's been sent to inappropriate audiences to unsuccessfully fend for itself. People seem to hate it or like it for what I sense are all the wrong reasons.
The information on the packaging is COMPLETELY misleading. Re-marketed and set in front of the right viewers I think this would be judged a minor classic. It's a lost movie that needs some help. A Criterion release of this film might place it in the right hands, as incredible as that may sound to detractors.
Four stars because it's not perfect, but it's still in my top 50.
PS: I'm finding this movie in $3 bargain bins. I'm worried it's about to go out of print.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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An odd film, but entertaining.
Added 4/29/2008
The idea is bizarre, a child driving around the countryside trying to win a game by collecting cards with letters on them while filling his gastank. (If they gave cards out for every dollar you spent these days, we'd all be winners in a week!) Needless to say, he went through some odd moments to get all of his cards gathered...it's a quirky film, but holds your attention, because of it's oddities.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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My take on this hard to understand film...
Added 12/19/2007
First of all, this is not a children's film. Just because you see a kid on the cover doesn't make it a children's film. The cover has nothing to do with the film. Now on to the review...
The best way to view this film is not linear; when you do that you are just watching the journey without understanding it. Yes, 10-year-old Gus (Jordan Christopher Michael) is on a journey. He makes an adult decision to escape the abusive situation at home and from that point the director allows Gus to continue to make adult decisions (although he looks like a kid)... and like real life where we do not always make the best decisions for ourselves, neither does Gus. He steals a car (Mustang convertible) and rides off into a surreal America playing "Motorama," a game sponsored by Chimera Gas Company. But he doesn't go far and he finds a lonely gas station attendant in a small filling station in the middle of no-where who needs some help. This is a pivotal point in the story. Gus is about to make either the right, or the wrong, decision and he makes the wrong one, driving off to pursue his selfish game, his fortune, without any idea of the cost to himself or others. The consequence is a hard troubled journey that cost him not only his eye, but also his youth. In the end when he eventually reaches the Chimera Gas Company with the winning ticket he finds they are not playing by the rules of the game. And neither is life... It's a hard lesson for a young boy to learn. But Gus gets another chance and miraculously he finds himself back at the small filling station in the middle of no-where. The attendant still needs help, and this time Gus makes the right decision and stays. A fascinating film that can be viewed on many levels. I highly recommend it!
4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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Chaos dimension!
Added 6/6/2007
Totally crazy!
The tematic is completly new, reaching all aspects of fantasy!
The best is that movie is not a silly film, but have a adult tematic and a particular world that we fall inside it. Extremly and intense...
Claps for Jordan C Michael...His performance is great!
2 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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Different yet Hollywood ruined it
Added 2/25/2007
I am kind of in the middle of the other reviewers. It DID have a "different" and unpredictable story line. i took it that he was dreaming, since the state names and money werent real. the kid was great. the problem, as usual, is Hollywood ruined it...what could have been a great movie my kids could watch, they throw in a sex scene in the kid's car back seat while he is sitting next to the car, and then of course they have to have the kid throw in a couple of "F" words. And of course Hollywood doesnt let us who object to that buy a version that has that edited, or permit DVD players that allow you to skip those parts. if it wasnt for the trash above, i would give it 4 stars for its uniqueness. If you are morale and have children, you dont want this movie.
0 out of 9 people found this helpful.
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Grossly misunderstood and mis-marketed allegory
Added 10/7/2009
This is a modern, sharp, and extraordinarily imaginative update on the eternal stories of making that life journey that ends in enlightenment, the Grail, wisdom... etc. In ways it's a retelling of works like Siddhartha and The Inferno. Unfortunately, some knowledge of myths and legends is required to fully understand a lot of the details and references. Since its release it's been sent to inappropriate audiences to unsuccessfully fend for itself. People seem to hate it or like it for what I sense are all the wrong reasons.
The information on the packaging is COMPLETELY misleading. Re-marketed and set in front of the right viewers I think this would be judged a minor classic. It's a lost movie that needs some help. A Criterion release of this film might place it in the right hands, as incredible as that may sound to detractors.
Four stars because it's not perfect, but it's still in my top 50.
PS: I'm finding this movie in $3 bargain bins. I'm worried it's about to go out of print.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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An odd film, but entertaining.
Added 4/29/2008
The idea is bizarre, a child driving around the countryside trying to win a game by collecting cards with letters on them while filling his gastank. (If they gave cards out for every dollar you spent these days, we'd all be winners in a week!) Needless to say, he went through some odd moments to get all of his cards gathered...it's a quirky film, but holds your attention, because of it's oddities.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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My take on this hard to understand film...
Added 12/19/2007
First of all, this is not a children's film. Just because you see a kid on the cover doesn't make it a children's film. The cover has nothing to do with the film. Now on to the review...
The best way to view this film is not linear; when you do that you are just watching the journey without understanding it. Yes, 10-year-old Gus (Jordan Christopher Michael) is on a journey. He makes an adult decision to escape the abusive situation at home and from that point the director allows Gus to continue to make adult decisions (although he looks like a kid)... and like real life where we do not always make the best decisions for ourselves, neither does Gus. He steals a car (Mustang convertible) and rides off into a surreal America playing "Motorama," a game sponsored by Chimera Gas Company. But he doesn't go far and he finds a lonely gas station attendant in a small filling station in the middle of no-where who needs some help. This is a pivotal point in the story. Gus is about to make either the right, or the wrong, decision and he makes the wrong one, driving off to pursue his selfish game, his fortune, without any idea of the cost to himself or others. The consequence is a hard troubled journey that cost him not only his eye, but also his youth. In the end when he eventually reaches the Chimera Gas Company with the winning ticket he finds they are not playing by the rules of the game. And neither is life... It's a hard lesson for a young boy to learn. But Gus gets another chance and miraculously he finds himself back at the small filling station in the middle of no-where. The attendant still needs help, and this time Gus makes the right decision and stays. A fascinating film that can be viewed on many levels. I highly recommend it!
4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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