Review of Truck Turner

Introduction

Nowadays, Isaac Hayes is probably best known as the voice of Jerome `Chef` McElroy in South Park, and probably also for writing the Oscar winning score to 1971`s Shaft (including that memorable theme tune). He was actually considered for the lead role in the film, but for various reasons he didn`t get the gig.

Truck Turner marks Isaac Hayes` first appearance on the big screen, and also his last appearance on the big screen in a lead role. He`s also joined by a few other recognisable faces. The first of these is Yahpet Kotto, who you might recognise as Kananga/Mr. Big from Live and Let Die or Parker from Alien. You`ll also spot
Nichelle Nichols in one of her few non Star Trek roles, and the scheming brothel madam that she plays here is about as far from the deck of the Enterprise as you can get.

The plot is outlined up above for you but you just have to look at the DVD cover to know what you`re going to get.

Video

We are presented with a rather good 1.85:1 anamoprhic transfer, probably the best that I`ve seen from MGM`s recent crop of 1970s blaxploitation type films on DVD. It`s pretty clean and there are just a handful of moments when dirt and dust flick across the screen. Colours are good, and detail levels are reasonable given the age of the film. There are some very grainy moments, but that`s probably only to be expected. A reasonable job all round.

And all the better to bring you some top quality 1970s pimp action, huge pointy collars and a very, very nasty pink suit. And of course the very memorable hospital shoot out, replete with drips being blown up, blood bags exploding and some almost Carry On style shots of people on crutches being knocked over and patients being knocked off hospital trolleys. A classic.

Audio

A DD2.0 stereo soundtrack, which is the original mono replayed over both channels. It`s pretty good, and it represents Hayes` score pretty well, but it would have been nice to see a bit of a remix or some audio clean up done simply because I enjoyed it quite a bit. The score is probably an archetypal 1970s film score, stuff full of hi hat and wah-wah pedal, but it fits so perfectly. There`s also a Red Dwarf tinge to some of it (honestly!)

Hayes` rather famous booming deep voice comes across well but there are one or two moments when it`s a bit difficult to hear. It does deliver dialogue like this though:-

Truck`s Girl: "You could have brought me some flowers."
Truck: "I got some beer."
Truck`s Girl: "So you think your gonna get drunk and screw me?"
Truck: "Alright, alright, we`ll get something to eat first."

Features

Just a trailer. This is one of those times when you really want more.

Conclusion

I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed watching Truck Turner, even more so as it was one of those films from the blaxploitation era that I`d never heard of before. It`s an enjoyable romp, with some amusing dialogue and some quite good acting to back it up. At the end of the day, it`s good fun and that`s what`s important. Where else can you get to watch a pimp funeral and a hospital shoot out? The film even gets away with a cutesy closing shot featuring a small kitten.

And if ever there was a case for a remake starring Samuel L. Jackson, Truck Turner qualifies. I know that the Shaft remake of a few years ago wasn`t successful (it had some good moments though), but let them try this one instead. I just want to hear Sam delivering some of those lines whilst blowing away a no good pimp.

Disc wise, this is one of the better offerings from MGM`s recent output of 1970s blaxploitation type films. The transfer is pretty good, the sound is ok, but the lack of extras is a shame again. Definitely worth watching if you`re a fan of 1970s cinema in the style of Shaft et al. I`ll definitely watch this again some time.