She Rides Shotgun

Ana Sophia Heger is why this movie was great. A child actor hasn't impressed me this much since Tatum O'Neil in Paper Moon, and she won an Oscar. Ana deserves one too.

She spoke volumes without any dialogue. I a single facial expression I got trapped, hopeful, sad, and confused.

For those that see this movie just watch her at the end when the credits start rolling.

Taron also put in a stellar performance, far from the average acting as Eggsy in Kingsman. I'm glad to see he's grown.

Blew your pants off? Jhc. This is a going nowhere piece nothingness. I would be ashamed to have my name associated with this movie. Bad writing, very bad directing, so-so acting, and no plot.

There is one bright spot, and that is Polly. She did a fine job with what she had to work with.

Ok, if you were in a situation where people might be looking to kill you, would you sit with your back to a window with the shades open like the cop Park does? And like the dad does earlier?

The movie can't seem to decide if it wants to be an action movie or a tear jerker, and it fails at both.

Save your money.

Wow, what an excellent movie.

If one wants to see a powerful acting duo exhibiting unconditional dad-and-daughter love, this movie shows it. Regardless of the other "Variables" involved, Polly's dad is a hero. Polly, played by Ana Sophia Heger, makes me wish there was a junior category at all the award shows. Maybe some offer it and they should! The chemistry Polly had with her dad Nate, played by Taron Egerton, is insane. Talk about these two actors going through all the emotions: anger, happiness, sadness, scare, fear, hope, anguish...the list never stopped, and these two actors delivered in spades! It is great to see a big, full cast, all working, and contributing to an excellent movie.

The whole cast was fantastic, from the leads, to supporting, to short parts, to one-line parts, to non-speaking parts. Each actor made a contribution to creating a great story. Some of the supporting actors are incredibly accomplished actors! Which, for me, is so necessary in these types of drama, action, thriller movies. Especially when relating to the law and police. Good acting is essential to selling me on these roles. The characters and the cast delivered.

Tons of great issue(s) that exist today are going on.

One thing is for sure, to see that heroes are inside and outside prison, some in law enforcement roles and some not. As well as some bad people in prison and outside it in law enforcement roles and some not. Power corrupts. So it was excellent for someone in law enforcement actually thinking of justice.

The music was fantastic.

The location is authentic, not saying it's this state in the USA, but then filmed in some foreign country. Rather, it was filmed in Albuquerque and Zia Pueblo, New Mexico. I've been to the former. One cannot fake these regions by going to some foreign country just for "credits" AKA money. Rather do the location(s) justice. This vibe comes off in the movie, it is the location(s) they are talking about. I read over 400 New Mexicans were employed for this movie! That is an excellent job.

I don't want to give too many spoilers away.

Taron Egerton as Nate gave an Oscar-quality performance, an Oscar-winner.

There is some strong violence, heavy scenes. But actually, I cried more in this movie than any movie in recent times. Seeing such a great dad-and-daughter relationship (granted major issues going on) blew me away--that unconditional love only a parent can have for their kid(s) is one of the world's greatest gifts! There is no one more instrumental in a child(ern) life than parent(s).

I struggled with the ending, but it was more realistic and authentic than the more sentimental one I wanted!

The beginning, middle and ending of this movie were fantastic.

While the acting skills of the leads make this film, the other elements of the production are pretty solid, too. Taron Egerton's always believable performance is so strong that one can wonder why he has yet to have a bigger career. Child actor Ana Sophia Heger more than holds her own with an emotionally devastating portrayal. The action scenes work, the suspense is sustained, and the villain is seriously evil. A few lines of dialogue are clunky, but this is otherwise a first-rate thriller anchored by two astounding performances.

She Rides Shotgun is an electrifying debut that blends gritty crime thriller with a deeply moving father-daughter story. Nate McClusky, a flawed ex-con, and his precocious 11-year-old daughter, Polly, navigate a brutal underworld as they flee the Aryan Steel gang's death warrant. Harper's prose is razor-sharp, delivering propulsive action and raw emotion in equal measure. Polly's transformation from shy bookworm to fierce survivor, clutching her teddy bear, is heart-wrenching and inspiring. The bond between Nate and Polly, forged in chaos, anchors this noir tale with humanity. A must-see for fans of intense, character-driven crime drama.