Used Cars1980

Zemeckis-fest So unfortunately, I was not able to watch Zemeckis’ actual first full-length feature, so we are starting instead with Used Cars.  This is one of the dumbest, goofiest, absurdist, silliest movies I’ve ever seen. Does it really make sense? Nah. But is it fun? You bet your sweet ass. It’s just a delight from beginning to end. The humor has a similar feeling to A Field of Honor with a bit of a dark twinge that I did not expect from Robert Zemeckis. It’s all definitely of its time, but it’s so stupid it just works.  Kurt Russell is great as always as this fast-talking car salesman who’s trying to get money to run for state senator. That commentary of comparing politicians to greasy salesmen is so good and deliciously obvious.  Also, watching this, I really could see the connection to the humor and action of Back to the Future. I wasn’t sure how much of the Zemeckis style I would be able to detect, but it’s definitely here. Also, there’s a crazy car chase at the end with 250 cars that is so wild and unexpected, but it’s actually set up at the very I beginning of the movie. So maybe this movie is not as crazy as it seems.  Really funny and a new classic for sure.