Published: January 22, 2007 10:32 am            

"The Hitcher" hikes his way into theaters

It looks like remakes are here to stay.

What I had hoped would only be a temporary thing in Hollywood has turned itself into a genre. In addition to drama, comedy, suspense and horror, we can now add remake as well.

This time a lesser known 1980s flick was remade, and since I have never watched the original, the brand spanking new version of "The Hitcher" was a pretty decent movie. Sure, it may not move you like "The Pursuit of Happyness," but it will teach you never to pick up a hitchhiker.

Cute college couple Jim (Zachary Knighton) and Grace (Sophia Bush) are celebrating their spring break from a Texas college by driving to Lake Havasu to meet up with a few of Grace's friends for the usual week-long break filled with sun and fun.

As they travel in Jim's 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2, they run into a storm and nearly strike a stranger with car trouble along a deserted New Mexico highway. Shaken up by their near-fatal accident, Grace urges Jim to just forget about checking on the stranger and continue along their way.

Miles later, they stop to refuel at a lonely highway gas station, where they encounter the mysterious man they nearly killed earlier. Feeling a little bit guilty about the earlier incident, Jim agrees to give the man, John Ryder (Sean Bean), a ride to a nearby town 15 minutes away.

The trio make small talk while driving along the flat stretch of highway, until Jim and Grace slowly start to discover their new traveling partner isn't all he seems to be. After a quick physical fight with John, Jim and Grace manage to literally kick John out of the moving car.

The two oddly continue to make their way to their destination only to discover the next day, they haven't fully shaken their former passenger.

John stalks and taunts the couple along New Mexico highways by killing innocent travelers and framing them for the crimes. Soon Jim and Grace are pursued by cops and their spring break turns out to be anything but fun. However, John strikes again, leaving the couple vulnerable and leading them into the surprise of their lives.

"The Hitcher" will obviously attract those who are fans of the CW's "One Tree Hill" series since that's been Bush's star vehicle for the past four years, however the R rating will keep most teen audiences at bay.

Since I cannot compare it to the original (Which may be a good thing), "The Hitcher" serves as a relatively suspenseful film that offers up a few scares and twists sprinkled throughout. However, if you don't get that out of this movie, at least it will teach you to never stop for strangers.

"The Hitcher" is rated R for strong, bloody violence, terror and language. Runtime is 83 minutes.

        

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