I know that it’s not exactly customary to start out a critical assessment with a disclaimer, but in the case of Chill Factor, I need one. I should probably let you know that first and foremost I am a complete sucker for the action genre. There’s something about sweaty men running around with guns and explosives, beating down the bad guys, that appeals to my personal sense of entertainment. Add to that a splash of comic relief by one of today’s most sought after actors, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and you’ve got the makings for my brand of amusement.
Similar to Speed, Chill Factor is an action-packed race to save lives. Only this time, instead of a bus, our heroes use an ice cream truck. And instead of danger below fifty miles an hour, it’s bye-bye to all if the chemical weapon reaches fifty degrees. I know, I know. The premise sounds a bit corny and highly unbelievable, but what else can you expect from a film centered more on special effects than plot? And why shouldn’t it be? When have we looked to action films for inspiration or intellectual meaning?
Cuba Gooding, Jr. plays Arlo, an ice cream delivery man who unwillingly gets tangled up with Mason (Skeet Ulrich), a misfit trying to overcome his secret past and stay clear of trouble. The two make a surprisingly likable duo, with enough character diversity to keep up with the film’s rapid pace. Cuba Gooding, Jr. also wins a few chuckles with a handful of snappy one-liners and wide-eyed stares. Playing the calmly heartless villain, Major Andrew Brynner, is a stoic Peter Firth (The Hunt for Red October). With few lines, he parades through his scenes with larger-than-life ability, and his very presence consumes the screen in his monstrous villainy. Now that’s the kind of bad guy I like to see get it in the end.
Lacking depth and emotion, Chill Factor is hardly a contender for the Oscars. In fact, if it weren’t for the diverse cast (whose talents are wasted) and some original stunts, this movie would be locked away in a closet somewhere. First time director Hugh Johnson follows the all-too-familiar formula for creating chills and thrills. Even though it has been done before, it’s still entertaining. With plenty of high-speed chases and near misses, Chill Factor has little else to offer. Yet what more is there when it comes to high-energy action?
+ Ashley Adams
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