A Major Disappointment

A lot of fun.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Used Cars is an early comedy cult classic by the team of writer Bob Gale and director Robert Zemeckis. This film is also produced by John Milius and Steven Spielberg. All of these people I have just mentioned are some of the most talented(and successful)to have worked on films in Hollywood and are responsible for several blockbusters and classic movies. Kurt Russell is on top of his game as Rudy Russo, a crooked, but charming used car salesman that is about to expand his skills to a greater calling, politics. Used Cars is a very wild and raunchy comedy, but with heart, great writing and great characters. The cast is outstanding in this and has some really hilarious and excellent performances by Kurt Russell, Jack Warden doing double duty as the feuding Fuch brothers, Frank McRae, plus Lenny and Squiggy and Grandpa Munster. Used Cars is very original and smart comedy that is totally unhinged and balls out. Used Cars is a great comedy that I discovered later on and in my opinion this is one of Kurt's best films and in my opinion, this film and Kurt's family comedy classic Overboard. are just as good. However,both films are very different and Used Cars was strictly made for adults.

Writer, director Robert Zemeckis must have had a great deal of fun making this film. That goes double for the feature star Kurt Russell who plays Rudolph Russo. In addition, audiences get to see the late great Jack Warden playing a duel role as Roy L. Fuchs and Luke Fuchs. The amusing story is of Rudolph Russo, a young ambitious Used Car salesman bent on getting himself elected to the State Senate. To do that, he must raise $60.000 for his party's nomination. The money is soon forthcoming when his immediate boss pledges his support. However, after suffering a heart attack and his boss suddenly dies, Rudy must deal with Luke Fuch's daughter ( Deborah Harmon) and Roy L. who has every intention of claiming the car lot by default. But Rudy has scheming allies to help him, like superstitious Gerrit Graham, Jim the Mechanic (Frank McRae) and Manuel (Alfonso Arau) the across the boarder car dealer. Together, the entire cast which includes Al Lewis, Joe Flaherty and Dub Taylor makes for a fun time for all. The entertaining by-product of the movie is a hilarious collection of exciting stunts, terrific explosions and visual situations. All in all, in many circles, this movie has become a Classic. Recommended for all audiences. ****

Ah how can I forget! I loved this film when I was younger. I miss it and I plan on finding it again! If you can think outside of the action packed, sweaty, steamy, gritty roles that followed in Russell's career. Yeah they're great movies as well but this one is almost an underground classic because only certain people know about it and those of us who love it just love it for the hell of it. But don't get me wrong- it IS the best or one of the best films/roles of Russell's career. Its a good film for the fellas but lots of funny for the ladies as well. And here's a tip for the gals - Kurt looks foxy in those cheap, corny suits. 8 stars!

I just finished seeing USED CARS for maybe the sixth or seventh time, and the first time on DVD. This outrageous and diabolically funny movie from the two Bobs, Zemeckis and Gale, died at the box office in 1980, steamrollered by AIRPLANE, but thanks to cable, VHS, and now DVD, it's alive. . .IT'S ALIVE!!! USED CARS is a movie for everyone who has ever felt they just got suckered by an auto dealer (which probably means 99.9 percent of the United States). Kurt Russell, cast against type, plays a sleazy used car salesman with an eye on the Mayor's office and, as the film progresses, an unfortunate streak of genuine goodness. As mentioned in the wonderful, hilarious commentary on the DVD, the two Bobs were thinking Bill Murray, but Russell does them proud. Gerrit Graham (of PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE) is Russell's salesman sidekick, and gets one of the movie's best gags (which I won't spoil for you, but it involves a very smart dog, a rock, and a station wagon full of kids). The always welcome Jack Warden gets to play not only the owner of Kurt Russell's car lot, but the owner's realllly oily brother, who owns the lot across the street and can't wait for his sibling to kick the bucket. Warden has a field day (and, as stated in the commentary, this was Warden's first R-rated movie, so he takes advantage of it and cusses up a hilarious storm). Everone else in the cast is just great, from Frank McRae's manic mechanic to Deborah Harmon (from Second City) as Jack Warden's daughter to Al Lewis (yep, Al Lewis!) as a peripatetic Judge to David L. Lander and Michael McKean as technical masterminds who patch in to a Presidential Broadcast. Familiar faces are everywhere in USED CARS; you will see future Director Alfonso Arau, Woodrow Parfey, Joe Flaherty, Dub Taylor, Wendie Jo Sperber, Marc McClure and even Dick Miller in the cast. Everyone gets to have lots and lots of fun.And. . .acres and acres of Bad Leisure Suits! The two Bobs did a lot of research for USED CARS, soliciting stories from many actual car salespeople, so when you watch the film bear in mind that these are the stories they could get away with showing--imagine what they COULDN'T use! This is a laugh riot, the kind of comedy that will have you roaring. Now, it's not for everyone--the humor gets pretty raunchy. Definitely not for kids.And there is a boatload of special features on the DVD release: hilarious commentary by the two Bobs and Kurt Russell (I wish more DVDs had commentary in which the principals enjoy what they are doing so much!), deleted footage (some of which is infamous), original advertising for USED CARS, radio spots, a TV spot for the actual car dealer who let them use his lot to film, and much more.This one's a keeper. USED CARS is a funny, funny film. Not Disney funny, but STRIPES, WHERE'S POPPA and BLAZING SADDLES funny. Be careful when you drink your soda during USED CARS: you'll find yourself doing a classic "spit-take"!