Blu-ray Review – The Ambulance (1990)

      The Ambulance, 1990.

      Directed by Larry Cohen.

      Featuring Eric Roberts, James Earl Jones, Megan Gallagher, Red Buttons, Stan Lee, Janine Turner, and Eric Braeden.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A man becomes embroiled in a mystery when a woman he is flirting with collapses and is taken away by an enigmatic ambulance that cannot be tracked.

      At first glance, Larry Cohen's 1990 film The Ambulance appears to be an excellent example of genre cinema from a director known for creating unconventional films involving winged snakes, deadly desserts, and mutant infants. The film boasts a wild storyline, a distinctive vehicle, a charismatic lead (with a hairstyle that perfectly captures the essence of 1990), over-the-top villains, and a strong supporting cast of familiar faces. However, upon closer inspection, there isn't much more than what meets the eye.

      Josh Baker (Eric Roberts) is a comic book artist for Marvel Comics (a glimpse into a time when Marvel wasn't the enormous film studio it is today) and possesses a high level of confidence with women. He becomes infatuated with the attractive Cheryl (Janine Turner) and follows her on the street, buying her gifts from a vendor and being somewhat of a nuisance, albeit a friendly one.

      When Cheryl, who is diabetic, collapses, Josh attempts to assist her, but she is quickly taken away by two paramedics in an outdated ambulance. Upon visiting the hospital mentioned by one of the paramedics, Josh discovers that Cheryl is not there, and after checking several hospitals in New York, it appears she has vanished. In reality, Cheryl has been abducted by a deranged doctor (played by Eric Braeden) who plans to cure her diabetes by transplanting pig organs into her, among other intentions. Josh seeks the help of Frank Spencer, a troubled cop (not to be confused with the other character of the same name, as this one is portrayed by James Earl Jones), in an attempt to locate Cheryl, especially as more individuals around him begin to disappear.

      This provides an ideal B-movie narrative from a director known for his guerrilla-style filmmaking in New York during the 1970s and ‘80s. The Ambulance also reflects Cohen's recurring themes of innocent objects turning deadly, in this instance, the titular ambulance (although the real threats are the people inside it, not the vehicle itself).

      However, the film falters slightly due to its nonsensical plot, prompting Cohen to keep the action moving almost from the start. The energetic performances from Eric Roberts, James Earl Jones, Eric Braeden, and the amusingly named Red Buttons, who plays Elias Zacharai – a quirky bystander who Josh encounters – distract from the lack of substance in the story. While this isn't overly problematic, it does make one wish that a film titled The Ambulance from Larry Cohen would have leaned more into the idea of a killer vehicle, especially since it aligns with similar films like John Carpenter’s Christine and Elliot Silverstein’s The Car in terms of marketing and public perception.

      However, focusing on what the film is not does not accurately reflect what it is. The Ambulance is a dark, occasionally humorous, and intermittently thrilling experience. Eric Roberts portrays the lead in a manner reminiscent of a lower-budget Kurt Russell, but like Russell, he is quite charming and shines in interactions with other characters, particularly with James Earl Jones. Despite Jones's theatrical background and possessing one of cinema's most iconic voices, he doesn't shy away from appearing in a low-budget Larry Cohen film and seems to relish his role as the frazzled cop. He could have appeared more in the film, but his scenes are striking, and his dynamic with Roberts is enjoyable.

      Red Buttons also brings a level of fun, but his character feels as though he belongs in another movie. His introduction and the quick establishment of a friendship with Eric Roberts seem somewhat forced, highlighting a script that lacks natural dialogue between characters because it feels required to hit specific plot points at precise times. The same observation applies to the villains, as events unfold simply because Larry Cohen desires them to, leaving an odd impression in some significant scenes, suggesting that some material may have been edited out.

      Nonetheless, The Ambulance accomplishes most of its aims, and for those familiar with Larry Cohen's work and style, it offers much to appreciate. For others, it might come across as overly eccentric to fully enjoy at its intended level. Nevertheless, it features Stan Lee portraying himself before he became widely recognized outside of hardcore Marvel enthusiasts, and revisiting 1990 is always entertaining, if only to humorously reflect on Eric Roberts’ mullet and to long for filmmakers like Larry Cohen who are willing to produce such unique films.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Chris Ward