Kurt Russell handles the role well, comfortable with the numerous action sequences but also adept at portraying Taylor's increasing mental anxiety in the kind of role perhaps more associated with the likes of Harrison Ford (a man who loses his wife more often than you or I might lose our car keys). The locals, led in suitably sinister form by the excellent JT Walsh, are a straight out of Deliverance--presented as dumb hicks but also capable of organising a complex kidnap. The film zips by at a pace, dwelling briefly but effectively on the astonishing number of people who go missing each year before culminating in a high-action, edge-of-the-seat climax. Not rocket science but fun all the same.

On the DVD: Breakdown has a suitably epic feel thanks to the vast expanses of desert, and the picture quality on the DVD and the soundtrack's clear effects do much to enhance this perception. Extras are kept to the bare minimum, with the standard chapter and subtitle selection all that is on offer. --Phil Udell

What Russell does bring to his role is a complete normality in the way he plays it. There's no superman type stunts here, no ripped shirt heroics as Kurt leaps into actions and beats the baddies to a pulp. On the contrary, here is a regular man who has just had his normal mundane world turned upside-down, trying to battle against a foe he doesn't really understand to save the woman he loves. Russell's act is that of a man thrown in a perilous situation he cannot comprehend, his animal caught in a trap expression is exactly what the role calls for and heightens the tension brilliantly. His actions also are truly believable, what happens when he first overcomes one of the baddies and the police re-appear? Does he overcome the State Trooper also and then commandeer his patrol car to race to his wife's rescue? No he throws himself on the understanding of the authorities believing they will help him, such is his conviction in the normal way of things.

As I say, I hadn't really heard of many of the supporting cast before watching the film although I did recognise them from their other outings as the film progresses. J T Walsh, whom viewers will remember from his outing in "A Few Good Men" gives a pretty good account of himself as the "lead baddie". Indeed it is his very "ordinary-ness" that makes his performance that little more chilling. M C Gainey (ConAir) with a face that only a mother can love and Jack Noseworthy, a sort of cheaper version of Christian Slater are likewise good value as Walsh's henchmen. Kathleen Quinlan also deserves plaudits for her nice performance as Russell's wife, again a most realistic and competent routine.

All in all a very credible and tense thriller that uses all the tools to increase the pressure. Both the scenery and the music are great additions to great performances from the whole cast.