Search - Maximum Overdrive on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1986 DVD Release: 04/10/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 14 Genres: Horror, Sci-Fi Action, Psychological Thriller See Also: Maximum Overdrive, Maximum Overdrive

Writer-director Stephen King falls short in his debut at the helm with Maximum Overdrive, an absurd tale about a radiation storm that somehow animates machines across the world, causing them to turn on their makers. The film focuses on a group of survivors held captive at the Dixie Boy Diner by a group of bad-tempered semis. Led by Emilio Estevez, the diner-goers do their impression of Ten Little Indians, waiting their turn until each gets bumped off one by one. There are holes in the plot big enough for the semis to drive through; for example, why don't the trucks run over the diner at the start of the film rather than wait for ninety minutes? Maximum Overdrive's only distinction is that it is, without question, one of the worst films released in the '80s. ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide

Emilio Estevez - Bill Robinson
Pat Hingle - Hendershot
Laura Harrington - Brett
Yeardley Smith - Connie
John Short - Curt

Respect. It's a hard thing to come by. Especially for films that are almost universally considered to be cinematic turkeys. But not all turkeys are alike. Some linger in the memory long after the initial shock of viewing, wherein the celluloid beast transforms itself into the arguably coveted shape of a cult film. Writer/director Stephen King's first foray in the director's chair indeed lingers in the memory, for better or worse. Considered by many to be not only one of the worst movies of the 1980s but of all time, Maximum Overdrive is given a rather excellent DVD treatment by the folks at Anchor Bay. Though it unfortunately lacks a commentary track by the master of terror himself -- which would have given him ample time to confess his cinematic sins -- the DVD has been beautifully transferred. Both the picture (widescreen anamorphic 2.35:1) and the soundtrack (Dolby Surround 5.1) by hard rock outfit AC/DC are sharp and colorful, and the audio is generally loud. Occasionally the picture seems a tad dark, but the overall presentation is fine. The film is also equipped with a wonderful trailer of a carny-like King hawking his creation to an unsuspecting public. Anchor Bay's efforts may not be enough to resurrect this film in the eyes of its detractors, but it does help bring it a little respect. ~ Derek Hill, All Movie Guide