The De Laurentiis clan brought Maximum Overdrive into US theaters on 25 July 1986. I don’t like to be harsh so let me turn this over to Michael J Weldon in The Psychotronic Video Guide:
This slow-moving and slow-witted tale of what happens when a comet causes machines to attack people in Wilmington, North Carolina, is based on Stephen King’s short story “Trucks” (in the Night Shift collection).
Emilio Estevez plays a young cook at the Dixie Boy truck stop, run by cruel Pat Hingle. Laura Harrington is good as a pretty, independent-minded hitchhiker who keeps changing from skirts to pants while driverless semis circle the Dixie Boy and terrorize the stupid characters trapped inside. It takes them forever to find the weapons (In the basement!) and make their escape.
Originally given an X rating by the MPAA, Overdrive was heavily edited before its theatrical release, removing most of the gore scenes that might have given it a reason to exist.
Deaths caused by a streamroller and by soft-drink cans are supposed to be funny. Another hoot is a character staring into the end of a malfunctioning gas hose and getting an unleaded flood in his face.
The only black actor in the cast, Giancarlo Esposito, is a looter. Maria Maples (!) is a victim. This is one of the movies, along with King Kong Lives! and The Million Dollar Mystery, that put Dino De Laurentiis’ American-based DEG company out of business.
King (who makes a cameo appearance) said, “I may have made the modern version of Plan 9 From Outer Space.” Actually, Ed Wood’s famous “bad” movie is funny, fascinating, and unique. This one is none of these things. Fans of AC/DC should know that only parts of the band’s songs can be heard during the movie. Look for a great soundtrack album, Who Made Who, though.
You can watch Maximum Overdrive on Plex. But Trucks is a far better version of this story. It is also available on Plex.
Maximum Overdrive (1986) poster via Wikipedia under Fair Use.
