The Ambulance (1990)

The Ambulance (1990) *** (out of 4)Josh Baker (Eric Roberts) works for Marvel comics and one day on his way to work he introduces himself to a young woman who eventually falls sick. An ambulance is called but later that evening when checking on her Josh realizes that she didn't go to any hospital. Pretty soon he's wrapped up in a mystery involving an old-fashioned ambulance that seems to be doing some bad business.Larry Cohen's THE AMBULANCE is pretty much what you'd expect from the cult director and that's a rather offbeat picture that doesn't fit into any one genre. The film is a rather entertaining one thanks in large part to its wonderful cast but there are also enough strange moments that make it worth watching. With that said, there's no question that it eventually runs out of fuel but more on that in a bit.What I enjoyed most about the picture was the cast all of whom are in fine form. This includes Roberts in his role as early on he gets to show off his charm but as the film moves along he also gets to show off his comic timing. James Earl Jones and Megan Gallagher are both good playing cops with Jones really shining in his role. Then you've got Red Buttons thrown in for comic relief and he really gets some fine moments here. Stan Lee also gets an extended cameo here.Cohen's screenplay makes perfect use of the New York City locations and I also thought it had a good mixture of humor and mystery. I really wouldn't call this a horror film but at the same time some of those elements are scattered around as well. THE AMBULANCE eventually runs out of steam towards the end and I think in the end it could have lost five or ten-minutes worth of running time. Still, fans of Cohen should enjoy the film for what it is.

**SPOILERS** From the mind of Larry Cohen comes another off-the-wall cult-like classic about a runaway ambulance who's in the hunt on the streets of New York City for people suffering from insulin shock.This crazed doctor,Eric Braeden,having his hospital hidden inside a building housing a disco dance hall has come up with this operation that, he thinks, can cure diabetes and plans to make a mint on it. Braeden has his goons driving in an ambulance picking up unsuspecting diabetic New Yorkers off the streets and sent to his place for further study which ends up with most of them in the local morgue. Cartoonist Josh Baker, Eric Roberts, trying to hit on and pick up Cheryl, Janine Turner, has her fall into a coma, due to a diabetic attack. Cheryl is quickly picked up by Dr. Braeden's killer ambulance never to be seen again. Josh going to all the local hospitals finds that Ceryl wasn't admitted in any of them and when he starts snooping around. The crazy Doc has his goons out looking from him and having Josh put under the knife even though he's not a diabetic as well as being in perfect health, physically but not all that mentally.Josh ending up in the hospital, after he's attacked by a gang of muggers, has Braeden's goons slip into the hospital disguised as police in order to kidnap him. In the hospital Josh together with his hospital room-mate NY Post reporter Elias Zacharia, Red Buttons, break out and make a run for it to the NY Post headquarters where Elias ends up getting kidnapped.Totally outrageous movie with more holes in it then the Normandy Beaches on D-Day but still holds your attention. There's loads of fun watching the wacky acting of Roberts as well as that of NYPD Let. Spencer, James Earl Jones, who's suffering from burn-out and a string of nerves breakdowns that has his superiors wondering if he can still handle his job. With Let. Spencer run down and run over by the homicidal ambulance, after trying to rescue the kidnapped Zacharia, Eric gets together with police officer Malloy (Magan Gallagher), who's Spencer's police secretary at the 33rd Precinct, as they track down where the ambulance is secretly parked in the disco where it's is used a a prop on the dance floor. The disco is also where Dr. Braeden's office and laboratory are hidden upstairs.Hard to follow but still has it's moments with both Eric Roberts and Red Buttons together with Magan Gallagher putting an end to Dr. Braeden's mad plans to make the people of the city of New York guinea pigs in his insane plan to cure diabetes; by killing those who are afflicted with it.

Eric Roberts has found a good role in "Less Than Perfect," but this was one of his more fun low budget movie roles. It is somewhat rare to find him playing a likeable character, but here he does, as a cartoonist who tries to find a woman that caught his eye. In the process, he is caught in a twisted thriller. Red Buttons is great as well. Fun movie to rent or see on cable.

Saw it last night, this film has it all! From the interesting start, which grabs our attention, to the eerie score of the music, to a fascinating insight into the world of comics, romance, suspense, intrigue and humour! Eric Roberts like always gives an outstanding performance as the poor guy who is caught up in this world of danger. Great fun, and such twists! Just when you think the movie is going one way, it takes a completely different direction! I loved it, and reccomend it to anyone who loves a good thriller!