The Sugarland Express

Funny southern accent, endless dry plains, breaded chicken, and a rifle under every pillow. The Sugarland Express reveals more and more that it's actually Texas itself, its conservatism, its inaccessibility, its ruthlessness, and, within that framework, its inherently certain comicality, that really plays the lead role here. "Howdy folks." (11/08/2021)

Already when he was young, Steven Spielberg showed the world that he can make very good and imaginative films. The Sugarland Express kept me entertained from beginning to end with suspense, an interesting plot, good characters, funny scenes, serious scenes. You see the rather serious topic was molded into a pretty friendly movie that simply everybody has to like. The best thing about the movie it its ending, which is definitely unexpected for an American movie. (04/03/2013)

Back in the day, a really well-made action picture that grabs you by the heart. Goldie holds a very special place in my heart and I must admit that here she does an excellent job in a much more dramatic role than we are used to seeing her in. The story is very realistic, although you might not agree when you see the action scenes, but I liked this a lot and everything went swimmingly. Will and Goldie are like Bonnie and Clyde in the sixties. The story is entertaining and moving and even the ending is a surprise. (01/01/2014)

While the amphetamine-fueled Kowalski in the Challenger knew how but didn’t know what, these two (or rather three) know what but have no idea how. It’s Vanishing Point 2.0, where untamed individualism is replaced by the desire of two adult children for familial belonging, and whether it ends up with bulldozer blades or in the river by the border is irrelevant when it comes to the dream of freedom. There’s media coverage, increasing public interest, jittery fingers on triggers, and a police convoy that guards taxpayers’ money so excessively that it could exhaust an entire year's fuel budget over a single requisitioned service vehicle. There are a few stronger moments (the father’s speech to the abductor, and the glimpse into the future with Vilda the Coyote), but the creativity of Spielberg and Zsigmond with their boyish car play and the notion that the road equals freedom slightly overshadows care for the characters. (02/24/2023)

I know my lack of appetite for some of Steven Spielberg's stories is significant, but this one just didn't entertain me in his rendition. I simply get the feeling that Spielberg has set certain boundaries that he doesn't want to cross, and so he sometimes limits himself and his films quite a bit. That is the case here, in my opinion. The powerful drama turns into a tired and loud road trip. (12/08/2015)