Leofwine_draca THE HITCHER was a good thriller of the 1980s that's been well remembered by a lot of fans, not least thanks to Rutger Hauer giving one of his best performances as the ice-cold, stop-at-nothing serial killer. In more recent years, Hollywood has tried, unsuccessfully, to have another slice of the cake, first by releasing this straight-to-video sequel and then by releasing a bigger budgeted remake with Sean Bean in the Hauer role. I've seen the latter, and it's nothing special, so this undistinguished sequel was the last of the 'hitcher' films (not counting the countless rip-offs) that I had to see. I wasn't missing much.The most interesting thing about the film is that C. Thomas Howell reprises his role from the first film. I didn't like him much in THE HITCHER, but he's grown up a lot since then and I actually found that he gave a pretty good performance. For me, he was the most interesting person on screen. He provides a nice, fitting link between the first and the second films, and as the sole returning actor, a lot rests on his shoulders, but he doesn't let that stop him.The worst thing about this sequel, though, is the story, which is just a blatant copy of the first film's plot. A hitcher is picked up and then dropped off after being revealed to be a psychopath. There's shtick with severed fingers, roadside cafes, and somebody who gets tied up between a truck cab and its stationary load. Once again, the intrepid sheriff department don't believe a word of what's going on, so it's up to our youthful hero to stop the hitcher in his tracks. Yep, we've seen it all before and done better, so aside from the plane vs. truck climax (which I liked, and which is something new), don't go expecting originality here.This time around the hitcher himself is played by regular bad guy for hire Jake Busey, son of Gary. Jake's been burning up the screen in the likes of ROAD HOUSE 2 and IDENTITY, so he seems an obvious choice for the part. He doesn't come close to Hauer's performance, though, or even Bean's for that matter. Busey's encouraged to go way over the top at all times, with plenty of wisecracks and humour along the way. I appreciate the vitality he brings to the film, and I do like him as an actor, but he just doesn't sit right here. Better is Kari Wuhrer, as the attractive heroine forced to go up against the maniac. Many women in modern horror films are pretty, young and poor actresses to boot, but not so Wuhrer. She really delivers her part and it was a delight to have her on screen.Anyway, things play out as you'd imagine, and there's nothing in the way of shocks or indeed surprises (although the film does open with a most effective twist). Saying that, the desert locations are well used and the action has a certain slickness about it that makes it appealing, so I can't say I didn't enjoy this one; for a straight-to-video sequel made almost twenty years after the original, I think it does okay.

onlyjared I've noticed that a few reviewers have tried to be charitable to this disaster of a screenplay, but do not be fooled. Avoid this movie at all costs. If you wanna see a film that is loaded with bad reviews check out the 2007 remake of the original Hitcher. As bad it was, the Hitcher 2 makes that film look like Lawrence of Arabia. Aside from being too young for the role, Jake Busey's lack of ability as a villain was a serious handicap. Someone needs to tell him that flashing your teeth in every scene doesn't make you scary, it just makes you annoying. The excessive number of gun killings became difficult to count and exceedingly pointless. Violence in these films is fine and even expected, but it must have a point. Kari Wuher's good looks and constant screaming didn't help things either. A sad pathetic waste of time and money.

atinder The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting (2003)I Really enjoyed the first movie was very good and I going to shock you by saying (But first, I did see this movie few ago and I did not remember to much about it!, I think I only saw bits and Pisces of the movie back then) I also really enjoyed this sequel.I was expecting something really bad but I found this movie very entertaining from start to end of the movie, there is a lot of action in this movie.I liked how they made some connection to the first movie as well and bring back Jim from first movie was good but i really shocked what happens to him in this movie however that make feel a bit more of sequel then total re-harsh of the first movie.I felt really warm to lead actress in this movie, she annoyed me first but she got my support afterwards.The hitchhiker in this movie was not as good as guy in first movie, he did not seem as scary because he was just little to goofy at times.The ending wasn't too bad but the effect at the end was really poor!6 out of 10.

ehrldawg The continuing story of Jim Halsey. Only this time,his girlfriend gets involved.Its always a hit or miss with sophomore outings. It seems lately they have been less miss and more hit,or non miss. This movie is definitely a non miss. The writing,directing, and acting in this one definitely makes it worth your while to see this movie. And lets face it fellas,There is nothing more sexy than a hot,dirty,highly aggitated brunette with a gun!!Jake Busey drives both the Kenwoth big rig livestock truck and the Freightliner big rig tanker truck.Jake Busey is a very permanent A list actor.Kari Wuhrer and Marty Antonini both drive the Kenworth big rig livestock truck.Kari Wuhrer and Marty Antonini are permanent A list actors.Kari Wuhrer is smokin!!---One Truck Drivers Opinion---erldwgstruckermovies.com