"Highwaymen" is like a serial killer version of "Duel," featuring an anonymous driver who uses his 1968 Cadillac El Dorado to run down his hapless victims - most of whom happen to be beautiful young women, of course - bringing a new meaning to the term "vehicular manslaughter." James Caviezel plays Rennie Cray, a man whose wife the killer brutally ran over and left for dead a few years back. Since the police have proved to be thoroughly inept and ineffectual at bringing the murderer to justice, Cray has chosen to go outside the system to seek his revenge. As a result, he and the killer engage in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, with Cray tailing the psycho as he systematically goes about his business of running over more and more innocent women. Rhona Mitra co-stars as the attractive young lady who is, apparently, next on the hit list and whom Cray uses as bait to ensnare his prey.
Except for the fact that the modus operandi is somewhat unique in this film, "Highwaymen" has very little to distinguish it from countless other serial killer thrillers that have come before it. In addition to all the blood and carnage that routinely bespatter such films, "Highwaymen" employs the wheezy device of having the killer, in typically portentous tones, constantly tweaking the hero over the CB radio. Caviziel, who, of course, starred as Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ," in some ways gets to repeat the role of savior yet again in this film, only this time he at least manages to get the better of his tormentor. Mitra makes an attractive heroine/victim, but neither she nor Caveziel are given much to work with here.
Cart it off to the junkyard.
Except for the fact that the modus operandi is somewhat unique in this film, "Highwaymen" has very little to distinguish it from countless other serial killer thrillers that have come before it. In addition to all the blood and carnage that routinely bespatter such films, "Highwaymen" employs the wheezy device of having the killer, in typically portentous tones, constantly tweaking the hero over the CB radio. Caviziel, who, of course, starred as Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ," in some ways gets to repeat the role of savior yet again in this film, only this time he at least manages to get the better of his tormentor. Mitra makes an attractive heroine/victim, but neither she nor Caveziel are given much to work with here.
Cart it off to the junkyard.