Test drive

Is there a problem officer?

Some movies don't need a cosmic premise or a huge cast to create a memorable impression long after the credits roll. They don't even have to be long or extravagant; sometimes, a small premise such as the one seen in Cop Car is all that it needs to deliver a simple but interesting plot. The story begins with two young boys named Travis (James Freedson-Jackson) and Harrison (Hays Wellford), who presumably run away from their homes for unknown reasons. As the two trek through the open country side, they come across an abandoned patrol car in the woods. With no one around, the boys think little of the repercussions for taking the car and go on a joy ride, even sampling the artillery found in the backseat. What they don't realize is that the car belongs to sheriff Kretzer (Kevin Bacon)

who is none to pleased that someone has made off with his car, and hell bent on getting it back. Without even knowing it, the boys have involved themselves in bad fix with a crooked cop who is willing to kill to keep the ominous secret in his car a secret. Cop Car feels like one of those movies you see on TV on a late Friday night; evoking a particular grind-house vibe. It almost feels like a long lost film from the 80s. Despite Cop Car's simplistic scope, this is actually a boon for the film; keeping the focus strictly on the boys to move the story along. There isn't much exposition on Kevin Bacon's character or on what he's doing but it's not needed. Viewers will get the jest of what's going on without it ever being explained verbally, as most of the film is told through actions, keeping dialogue and conversations at the bare minimum. This allows us as the viewers to better grasp the details in the scenes as well as the beautifully shot scenery. Clocking in at 88 minutes, Cop Car doesn't overstay its' welcome but at the same time it doesn't sacrifice its' quality for the sake of rushing towards the end, elevating it to a level above other films released this year. 

-Reviewed by Razor, 10/1/15