The Trailer Park: The Hitcher (2007)

In 1986 Robert Harmon and Eric Red delivered a thriller that has hung around the fringes of fandom for twenty years. In The Hitcher Jennifer Jason Leigh and C. Thomas Howell were terrorized by Rutger Hauer. Honestly, that is probably a frightening prospect even out of character! It has been such a long time since I have seen the movie and my memories are very, very week, so I am thinking I should probably revisit it before heading out for the remake that is knocking on the doorstep. I wonder If I would be better served going with the direct to video sequel from a few years back with Jake Busey?

The Hitcher has been reimagined by music video director Dave Meyers (his sole film credit being Foolish from 1999), and writers Jake Wade Wall, of the abysmal When a Stranger Calls remake, and Eric Bernt, who was also involved with Highlander: EndGame and Romeo Must Die. I cannot say that lineup has instilled me with much confidence, but some of the casting choices have lent me hope. In the role previously held by Hauer, insert one Sean Bean, an actor who is always solid and uplifts the material he is given. Also add Neal McDonough as the investigating police captain, and you are definitely heading in the right direction. Also switch out Leigh and Howell for the lovely Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill, Stay Alive) and Zachary Knighton as the stalked couple.

This version is being produced through Platinum Dunes, Michael Bay's production company. This involvement can go either way so far as I'm concerned. I liked the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, but really did not like their take on The Amityville Horror (of course I didn't like the original either).

As for this trailer, it looks halfway decent. Nothing spectacular jumps out at me, but it doesn't strike me as being any better or worse than other horror trailers in recent years. There is a sameness that I can't quite put my finger on, a "been there, seen that" vibe emanates from it. I do admit to liking "I want you to say four little words....."

Rogue Pictures is planning to unleash The Hitcher on January 19, 2007, it is rated R. Be sure to get a load of the trailer, see if it is up to snuff.