Vehicle 19 (2013)

the leading man is my tpye

A Disappointing Continuation

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Horrible, horrible movie. I though Getaway, with Ethan Hawke and Selena Gomez, was the bottom of the barrel as far as car chase movies. But that mound of suck is Shakespeare comparatively. Very sad that this was one of Walker's last films. I understand that this was low-budget, and as stupid as some of the story and character actions are, they are not the main problem with this. Its main issue is technical. This is one of the worst-shot films I've ever seen. I've seen no-budget films that look better, have better camera placement and scene blocking, and easier-to-follow action. 3/4 of the shots are close-ups where one of the actor's head takes up half of the screen area. Action scenes are quick-cut nonsensically. Editing is horrible. I've read that the intention was to give a claustrophobic feel to the movie as it almost entirely takes place from inside a vehicle. But there are competent ways to give that feel and then there are incompetent ways. This film is big on incompetency.

It becomes clear within the opening fifteen minutes that Vehicle 19 is fundamentally flawed. There's not much logic in the plot and it really needs audience to suspense their disbelief. Having Paul Walker doesn't help in the slightest as he's given so little to work with, not to mention there's no merit in cinematography as it's almost entirely shot in that one car. The overcompensating music is loud enough for monster truck.Michael Woods (Paul Walker) is a former convict, he goes to Johannesburg to see his loved one. Unfortunately, he takes a wrong car from the rental, containing some illicit packaged stashed inside. This revelation will plunge him into the city's conspiracy and corruption. Now most people would freak out if they find spiders on their cars, but Michael Woods chooses a different unnatural reaction. It's unclear if Paul Walkers was still engrossed in his Fast and Furious character and thought he could drift the trouble away or he's channeling Jason Statham's character from Transporter.Heck, even Transporter had the audacity of presenting goofy action, Vehicle 19 wants you to take it seriously as thriller despite the highly unrealistic script. This makes me wonder how the script got passed in the first place, why there was no one proofread it, point to a certain scene, any scene for that matter, and express how implausible it was. Furthermore, half of it is rambling and random shouting, but the characters still go along with the absurdity.There is not much development as it progresses, only stifling dialogues, strange change in behavior and a few unbelievable occurrences. By the time it reaches halfway point, the movie produces a numbing effect. The use of Johannesburg as setting is actually a good decision, it's exotic and adds to the atmosphere. However, since most time is spent on the car, it brings little value in the end. It's not like this is Collateral where the production incorporate the scenery into an integral part of the movie, it just drives by aimlessly.The end is just as bad, so without spoiling anything, it's not worth tolerating the entirety of the movie. Vehicle 19 is bound for junkyard.

Here's Another One of those Contained by its Own Conceit. A Point of View that Never Waivers, a One-Set Situation, a Gimmick and Not a Very Recommendable Gimmick Considering what has Come Before in Similar Movies. Paul Walker Drives Around South Africa and the Camera is Locked in the Car for the Duration. The Story and Walker's Behavior are Also Confined to Accepting Some Unbelievable and Dumb Behavior. Your Suspension of Disbelief will have You Screaming at the Screen.But the Scenery, Outside the Car, is a Bit Different as are the Natives. Colorful Graffiti is Everywhere, and How About that Nifty Drive Through so the Homies or are They Homeless can Make a Few Bucks on the Side. It is a Colorful if At Times Lifeless Affair. The Best Part is when Walker Makes One of the Many Discoveries in the Rental Car From Hell and He has Somebody to Talk to that is Not on a Cell Phone.Overall, Average Independent Movie that is Watchable but don't Expect Anything Much. For Paul Walker Fans and Those Wishing to Glimpse a Stranger in a Strange Land. Maybe if the Movie would have been a Bit Stranger it would have been a Bit Better.

Plot was refreshing. Paul's acting specially toward the later half was good. The camera usage laced inside the car was very unique. Not seen many movies with this kind of attempt. What screwed up the movie for me was the numerous logical errors right from start. Car company gives a rental without checking and cleaning out the vehicle? Why would a person in a new country rent a car...instead of using a taxi or Super Shuttle or whatever? In 2011 who does not have a smartphone which has GPS capability? Who does not come prepared to a new country without specific instructions to reach the US Embassy? Paul takes so much time to decide to spray his car. If you are a criminal on the run the first thing you would do is to ditch your vehicle and try using another. Or just hire a cab to get to US embassy.A different Director would have made this a great movie. Sorry I cannot go beyond 5 in rating this movie