Why is it that when you use a phrase such as "worthy successor" you sound like a 'Lord of the Rings' fan??? 'Throttle' (or 'No Way Up' as its been released in Australia) doesn't answer this question, but it does provide 90 minutes of good, wholesome entertainment.
Part remake, part tribute, 'No Way Up' shifts the action away from the empty expanse of the highway to an cramped, claustrophobia of an underground car park. Dennis Weaver, our intrepid, glasses-wearing traveling salesman is replace with Tom Weaver, our intrepid, suit-wearing junior executive; his Valiant with a Jaguar. The menacing truck from the original film is replaced with the 21st century equivalent - a 4WD (or 'SUV' or 'generic Jeep' or whatever).
The story remains very much the same: simple premise (a man being stalked by a maniac in a truck), simple execution (the maniac in a truck stalks the man :P). I quite enjoyed 'Duel'. It stands as one of the better "faceless man in a truck stalking hapless person" (we really need a name for that genre) films, and 'No Way Up' is about on the same level. The little in-references to the original film were a nice touch (including a scene with a Dennis Weaver-look-alive and a very familiar looking Valiant :P), and at least show the director appreciates the source material.
A good, enjoyable film, certainly on par with the original and a step above some of the other films of its ilk (ie. 'Octane', 'Roadkill' and 'Black Cadillac' but not quite as good as say 'Dead End'). A must see for fans of the original, though it is best to keep an open mind. I don't usually like remakes, but this film is more of a "tribute" than anything else. Six stars.
Part remake, part tribute, 'No Way Up' shifts the action away from the empty expanse of the highway to an cramped, claustrophobia of an underground car park. Dennis Weaver, our intrepid, glasses-wearing traveling salesman is replace with Tom Weaver, our intrepid, suit-wearing junior executive; his Valiant with a Jaguar. The menacing truck from the original film is replaced with the 21st century equivalent - a 4WD (or 'SUV' or 'generic Jeep' or whatever).
The story remains very much the same: simple premise (a man being stalked by a maniac in a truck), simple execution (the maniac in a truck stalks the man :P). I quite enjoyed 'Duel'. It stands as one of the better "faceless man in a truck stalking hapless person" (we really need a name for that genre) films, and 'No Way Up' is about on the same level. The little in-references to the original film were a nice touch (including a scene with a Dennis Weaver-look-alive and a very familiar looking Valiant :P), and at least show the director appreciates the source material.
A good, enjoyable film, certainly on par with the original and a step above some of the other films of its ilk (ie. 'Octane', 'Roadkill' and 'Black Cadillac' but not quite as good as say 'Dead End'). A must see for fans of the original, though it is best to keep an open mind. I don't usually like remakes, but this film is more of a "tribute" than anything else. Six stars.