When into production and was completed in either 1979 or 1980,the sequel to the runaway boxoffice independent action flick of 1974 wasn't released in the United States until 1982. In 1974,writer-producer-director H.B Halicki set the record for the longest car chase in cinema history,"Gone in 60 Seconds"(34 minutes out
of its original 105 minute running time),also made boxoffice history as well where a total of 93 cars were wrecked during the filming of this successful low budget classic. The 1974 independently made film remains right up there with "Bullitt","Vanishing Point",and "The French Connection",as one of the greatest car chase movies ever made.The 1982 sequel "Gone In 60 Seconds II:The Junkman",or "Grand Theft Entertainment",had more incredible car chase scenes packed and more cars were wrecked into its 99 minute running time. Eight years from the original,this gave Halicki a bigger budget to work with here,and also managed to land a major studio deal. Whilst boasting a couple of some of the greatest auto stunts ever filmed,including one spectacular scene of a car flying over a plane,the film doesn't have the intensity or the rawness of the original that made it a unique experience. And to boost the intensity to the sequel,Halicki and company managed to add Christopher Stone,Hoyt Axton,Freddie Cannon, and even Lynda Day George onto the casting. The storyline here finds Halicki being pursued by two hitmen and one slinky megacool hitwoman with designer handguns. Most of the car chases are obviously deliberate,and lack the spontaneity of the 1974 film. However,the most exciting scene in this film where Halicki tosses a live grenade over his head to the guy behind him that blasts the Chevy right over Halicki's Caddy is the one that watch for that is the most astounding action sequence ever filmed. I've never seen a better action movie like this,but its over the top.
May 12, 2011
