Chill Factor (1999)

Someone must have really shown Cuba Gooding Jr. the money for him to risk his Oscar cachet on this derivative buddy movie that never quite gets up to Speed despite its blatant ripoff of that breakneck thriller's gimmick. Instead of a bomb-rigged bus forced to maintain its speed of 50 mph, here we have Elvis, a chemical weapon that must be kept cooler than 50 degrees. Standing between us and flesh-melting defoliant devastation are the requisite mismatched antagonists Mason, a short-order cook (Skeet Ulrich), and Arlo, a thief (Gooding).

Elvis was created by Mason's fishing buddy, Dr. Richard Long (David Paymer), a biologist still shaken up by a deadly test 10 years earlier that went awry and killed 18 soldiers. Instead of Long, "thorn in the side" Captain Andrew Bryner (Peter Firth) took the fall and went to prison. Now, the embittered Bryner has been released and is understandably vengeful. A ticking time bomb himself, the demented Bryner leads the relentless pursuit of Mason and Arlo, who have been compelled by Long to transport Elvis to a military base 90 miles away in--get this--Arlo's ice cream truck.

Gooding works hard for the money, although he was shortchanged by the script ("I'd like to kick your ass like last year's underwear" is a sample bon mot). Still, he makes his exuberant Oscar acceptance speech look restrained. And Firth makes an effective villain. "Your lives will end on this miserable road to nowhere," he warns the duo, "and I can't guarantee the end will be quick." Hardly a Factor at the box office, this thriller is fine for action fans who want to put their brains on cruise control and just chill at home. --Donald Liebenson Amazon.com

Was expecting so little from this movie ...

And I enjoyed every minute of it. The opening scene sets the tone for what makes the military officer go mad and bent on revenge (unfortunately, you do see scapegoats in the military, just as in most other occupations). And the premises is good with a real message ... you are just an average citizen but what lengths would you go to save others from terrorists?

Having commented on all the serious stuff, now must say I laughed my butt off during a good part of this movie. This was a terrific buddy movie -- Skeet Ulrich and Cuba Gooding Jr. have chemistry you rarely see. They really play off each other just right.

This isn't one of the great movies of all time, but it sure is a darn good one. Be warned, however, that there are some pretty bloody scenes. Unfortunately that's what comes with terrorism. This movie really has a serious underlying tone, but it balances very well with Ulrich and Gooding's (comedic) interaction.

Finally, Comcast needs to change its rating from 1-1/2 stars. Comcast Cable itself is screwed up, and obviously the same is to be said for their movie ratings. (I definitely think it's worth owning, which is why I ordered it today.) August 4, 2008

funny

I watched this mainly because Cuba was in it. He always delivers.He had some very funny parts in this one. There was some horror in this show. The faint of heart shouldn't see it. If you like Cuba you will enjoy this movie. September 23, 2007

Praise

A great movie. DVD is of excellent quality and the storyline moves along quickly with lots of humour amid a dangerous situation. July 9, 2006

COOL

CHILL FACTOR is a combination of almost every action movie of the past ten years, but it is entertaining, fast-paced, with some really exciting action sequences. Director Hugh Johnson wisely eschews character development and focuses on the chase. Peter Firth does a good job as the villainous Bremer, an Army general who took the fall for a disastrous chemical warfare accident which killed 18 soldiers. After ten years in prison, he vows revenge by selling the deadly agent to the highest bidder. Skeet Ulrich as the badboy Mason and Cuba Gooding Jr. as the ice cream truck driver he forces to help him transport the deadly agent to an Army base in Montana do well in their buddy roles. CHILL FACTOR stretches the limits for credibility, but it moves well and entertains, that's what this kind of movie should do. November 14, 2004

Ulrich and Gooding melt in a so-so supposed actioner

Skeet Ulrich (Scream, The Newton Boys) and Cuba Gooding, Jr. (Jerry Maguire, Judgment Night) star as a couple of normal guys who team up together and hit the road with a bomb, nicely named Elvis, in the back of an ice cream truck and they have to keep it cool otherwise it will blow up. Meanwhile, the stiff badguy, Peter Firth (Pearl Harbor) is hot on their tail to try to get the bomb from them. Supposed buddy flick doesnt hold up to it's end and the supporting cast is wasted off, Firth's badguy isnt even that great of a villain. Ulrich and Gooding, Jr. are a good team but they arent fit for their parts, though they have some funny scenes, particualarly the scene where they louge the boat down the hill, otherwise it's all throwaway. David Paymer (Mr. Saturday Night, Quiz Show) and Kevin J' O Connor (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns) also star. November 2, 2004

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