Cop Car (Review)

Cop Car (2015)

Thriller

Directed By: Jon Watts

Some of the best kinds of movies are the ones that can tell a big story within a small scale. A handful of actors, a couple different locations and a good script is all you need sometimes to tell a story that is larger than life. We saw it more than once this year already with Ex Machina and The Gift, both of which tell large scale stories within a claustrophobic setting. The new film Cop Car from up and coming director Jon Watts uses an intelligent script and an impressive group of actors to create a story that is far grander than it would have you believe.

The film opens in rural Colorado as we focus in on two young boys (James Freedson-Jackson and Hays Wellford), roughly ten years old, wandering through the countryside. We quickly find out that the two have just recently run away from home with nothing more than a Slim Jim to their names. They make it just over fifty miles from home before wandering upon an abandoned cop car hidden in a small tree line. After investigating the area and deeming the owner of the vehicle is not coming back anytime soon, the two find their ways into the car only to find the keys tucked up in the mirror. Despite having no knowledge of how to drive or operate the thing they decide to take it out for a little joy ride anyways, in their eyes this is their car now. James Freedson-Jackson and Hays Wellford are quite impressive as the two kids and you really feel their ignorance to the real world through them.

The car hasn't been abandoned however and the owner of the car, who we discover has been partaking in some shady activity while away from his vehicle, makes it clear he will do just about anything to get it back. This Sheriff (Kevin Bacon) must now undergo a cat-and-mouse chase with these kids before anyone at his station finds out his car has been stolen and his secrets are uncovered. This is a high intensity thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Jon Watts clearly has a talent for creating tension as more than a few scenes made me anxious to the point that I was nearly shaking.

I found a surprising amount of social commentary scattered throughout this film. Aside from the obvious trope of a cop abusing his power, something as prevalent today as it ever was, Jon Watts makes a rather blunt point about the dangers and ignorance surrounding guns. The way he has the kids handling them without any knowledge of how they work was almost chilling, you feared for their lives every time they handled a gun. It was clear that this film wanted to draw attention to some of the major issues we are having today and get you thinking about them.

Cop Car will make you do just that, think. Jon Watts purposefully leaves things unexplained or unattended to in order to keep your mind wondering what it all means. Even when the film ends you will find your head swirling with questions and ideas as to what exactly was going on. Much like in the world today, whenever we hear of an officer unlawfully killing someone we sit around and take the limited information we are given and try to form what actually happened. It’s a he said/she said world and we have to decide for ourselves how to interpret it and this film mimics that incredibly well.

As with any small scale movie like this, much of the film hinges on the writing and the acting. Jon watts and Christopher D. Ford brought together an intelligent script that stands true to the world today and filled the roles with perfect casting. Kevin Bacon is absolutely menacing as the power abusing Sheriff giving as good a performance as ever and with it building much of the tension and suspense of the film. Shea Whigham also has a small role and lights up the screen whenever he appears, he is always a fantastic character actor to add to a film and his presence is treat in the final act. Camryn Manheim rounds out the small cast as the voice of reason, the concerned citizen who witnesses the boys driving and her character is great for some comic relief.

With Watts now tapped to direct the next Spider-Man standalone this film had some big eyes on it. We all were wondering if he would have the chops for something much larger and after seeing this I'd say he's got tons of potential. Within such a small film he creates huge tension and suspense and pulls incredible performances from all of his actors. After a summer full of $100 million dollar action movies this felt quite refreshing. Talented storytelling and good direction make this a film worth seeing. I can't wait to see what happens when you give this guy a big budget and a franchise.

 

As always, thanks for reading and I am Zach Who Watches Movies. You can find me anytime on twitter @ZachWWMovies, smell ya later!