License to
It would be easy to dismiss the new
movie "License to Drive" as just
another of those inane, shallow
"PorkyV-type movies. Indeed, the
previews certainly lead one to think
that of the film, but there is some
depth to "License to Drive." That's
not to say that it's another "Pretty
in Pink" or "Risky Business" filled
with social significance, but it does
offer some insight and true-to-life
moments for the viewer.
The plot centers around every
young driver's worst nightmare
damaging Dad's car, although in this
movie, the car in question is Grand
pa's car. And it's not just any car.
It's a baby blue 1972 Cadillac with
only 20,000 miles on it. Imagine what
hell there would be to pay if this car
were wrecked by a young driver.
Well, Les doesn't worry too much
Number Five returns
From the ads, "Short Circuit II"
looks like nothing more than a vehicle
to show off a bit of high-tech cuteness,
but the movie actually has a funny,
exciting story with some interesting
characters and an only slightly
sentimental theme.
The star, of course, is a robot
whose artificial intelligence is such
that he can feel emotions. Admit
tedly, there is much entertainment in
this robot simply as a screen person
ality. For viewers who did not see
the first movie, there is novelty
enough in a robot that is alive who
says funny things and speaks in funny
voices. And there is much humor in
how he reacts to the same world we
see every day and in how people react
to him.
Fortunately, the screenplay does
not depend on the robot to carry the
movie. There is a developed story
here, about two young guys trying
to run a business, and a band of
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Drive' predictable, but brings issues home
James Mills
Cinema
about that. He passed the road
portion of his license examination
with flying colors. It's the written
portion that he's failed. Thus Les
doesnt have a driver's license, but he
can't face the humiliation of telling
his friends this. So, when a girl Les
has the hots for calls and wants to
go out for a spin, Les agrees, saying,
"What could possibly happen?"
Little does Les know what awaits
him on those mean L.A. streets.
Before long, Les and the girl, who
just happpens to be named Mercedes,
are out on the town. Mercedes gets
drunk and ends up in the trunk of
Dale Smyth
Cinema
criminals whose own plans interfere.
Ben. the main character and owner
of the robot, iiimself says funny
things, due to his imperfect command
of English. But he is no two
dimensional figure; rather, he's a
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the Cadillac to sleep it off, but only
after she's danced on the hood of the
car with her spike heels on.
Next thing Les knows, some
friends have convinced him to drive
the car out to Archie's, a drive-in
that's the hip spot for all the right
people. You are somebody if you go
to Archie's.
Once there, Les and the guys get
into trouble with some rednecks, and
things begin to escalate. They're
scared for their lives and don't worry
too much about what happens to the
car if they can just get home alive.
Meanwhile at home, Mom and
Dad, played by Carol Kane and
Richard Maseur, are sleeping peace
fully, believing Les is also asleep in
his room. Then a very pregnant Mom
begins to go into labor. They rush
as living robot in 'Short Circuit IT
believable character with a consistent
personality and values. Ben's business
partner and his girlfriend are shal
lower characters but still interesting
for the sake of the story. There's a
touch of romance, some adventure,
and quite a few laughs along the way.
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The
to the car to leave for the hospital
just at the moment Les returns home
with Grandpa's Cadillac, which has
a few more miles and a lot more dents
and scratches on it than when Les
borrowed it six hours earlier.
Corey Haim plays Les while Corey
Feldman plays his best friend Dean.
These two were seen together in last
summer's "The Lost Boys," and have
certainly developed a chemistry
between them. The two Coreys play
off each other well. The jokes and
smart remarks just seem to flow
naturally between them.
"License to Drive" contains some
very true-to-life moments thanks to
director Greg Beeman and screen
writer Neil Tolkien. Even if the
audience doesn't particularly like Les
or his friends, viewers can't help but
A bit of attention is given to the
theme of how a robot fits into society,
the rejection and loneliness he feels
at being different from those around
him. This serves to make him more
believable a character and, therefore,
to give value to his actions. Any more
Up Your
far Heel Thursday, July 14, 198833
relate to their situation. WeVe all
been there before.
The humiliation Les feels when his
parents find out he failed his driver's
test is very real, and the helplessness
he feels when his friends finally goad
him into taking the car to Archie's
where they can be seen by the right
people will definitely hit home. The
embarrassment he feels when he
drives by a pretty girl who sees that
Dad is also in the car will certainly
stir up memories in the minds of
many viewers.
This is not to say that "License to
Drive" is high art far from it. The
plot is predictable and the car chase
scenes have all been done before. But
there are some important moments
and several insights which can make
the movie worthwhile to those who
give it a chance.
attention given to such a theme in
what is basically a comedy-adventure
movie would have slowed it down.
"Short Circuit II" is as good as a
movie produced (although not
directed) by Steven Spielberg. View
ers will be surprised how good it is.
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