Steve McQueen's skills as an actor and a driver saves this film with a thin story and so-so script from cult oblivion. The car chase segment (filmed with real cars going really fast with McQueen really driving in real locations...and brilliantly,...
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Steve McQueen's skills as an actor and a driver saves this film with a thin story and so-so script from cult oblivion. The car chase segment (filmed with real cars going really fast with McQueen really driving in real locations...and brilliantly, without an overbearing musical score--the cars themselves make the proper music) alone makes this film an undeniable classic and raises it above being a standard cop movie; unfortunately, after the car chase segment, there's nowhere for the movie to go but down. The foot chase scene at the end is anticlimatic and downright illogical. There's also an attempt at a touch of a mystery here regarding the killer, but it comes and goes so fast that it's hardly notable. While I can't give this movie the highest rating because of it failings, its positives make it a must-see classic. McQueen's performance is absolutely perfect for the role, and there's a smart artiness to the whole project (even in the so-cool opening credits) that continues to influence recent filmmakers such as the Coen brothers.