74
Metascore
19 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 100San Francisco ChroniclePeter StackSan Francisco ChroniclePeter StackBucking the lava tide of computer special effects gushing out of Hollywood this season, the makers of Breakdown use old-fashioned ingenuity -- plus a compelling star, a fast- paced mystery and a deadpan villain -- to come up with a sizzler.
- 90The New York TimesJanet MaslinThe New York TimesJanet MaslinHis Breakdown is a tough, vigorous exercise in pure action, shot with throwback expertise and, most refreshingly, without special effects.
- Breakdown is just a skillfully constructed, smartly conceived, escapist thriller that does just about everything right.
- 75Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertBreakdown is a fine thriller, and its ending is unworthy of it.
- Jonathon Mostow, who wrote the script and then directed the movie, travels mostly familiar backroads and crosses bridges when he comes to them, actually managing a pretty good cliff-hanging denouement on the latter.
- 60Washington PostStephen HunterWashington PostStephen HunterThe movie's surrender to banality is all the more dispiriting because it gets off to such a good start.
- 50Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumChicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumEach set piece is effectively executed, but the characters and their motivations become progressively dimmer and more confused.
- 50San Francisco ExaminerBarbara ShulgasserSan Francisco ExaminerBarbara ShulgasserWhen you really think about Breakdown - and believe me, that would probably require spending more time thinking about the movie than the filmmakers did - it doesn't make much sense.
- 40Austin ChronicleRussell SmithAustin ChronicleRussell SmithBreakdown further illustrates the axiom that every truly original movie must be remade again and again until it achieves a state of sublime, all-encompassing idiocy.
- 38ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliBreakdown is the latest in a seemingly endless traffic jam of thrillers that opens strong but finishes abominably.