This reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood is a rough, violent, and darkly humorous take on the familiar story. I was already acquainted with writer/director Matthew Bright's work, having seen “Dark Angel: The Ascent,” which came out two years prior, and "Ted Bundy," released six years earlier—he wrote both, directing the latter. With “Freeway,” he had a considerably larger budget to utilize, and it seemed like it could have launched him into mainstream filmmaking success; however, it didn't perform well in theaters. Though audiences weren’t receptive, critics generally praised it (Siskel & Ebert, for example, gave it a positive review), and over time it has gained a dedicated following. It combines elements of a crime thriller with a darkly comedic sensibility. Despite the name, it isn’t really about a journey and shifts largely into a women-in-prison narrative during its latter portion. If you're willing to accept its unrestrained boldness and frank language, it can be enjoyable and funny, but I felt let down after watching Bright's earlier “Dark Angel,” which had significantly fewer resources. “Freeway” is well-made from a technical standpoint, and the actors deliver solid performances; however, it indulges in unpleasantness to such an extent that it becomes an uncomfortable experience. It seems like Mark Bright was striving for something akin to a Tarantino film, but he neglected to incorporate substantial themes, as well as compelling characters and conversations. There are occasional interesting moments, certainly, but they’re overwhelmed by an overwhelming sense of depravity. Reese Witherspoon was 20 years old during filming, while Kiefer Sutherland was 29. If you're looking for a better film featuring the latter actor, I suggest “Desert Saints.” The movie has a running time of 1 hour and 44 minutes and was filmed in Los Angeles during the summer of 1995, along with locations just north of there—Sylmar (Vanessa’s house) and Castaic (the interrogation scenes). GRADE: D+

Source on TMDB