I've always been a pretty big fan of Duel, Spielberg's kinda sorta film debut (it's technically a TV movie, but it later got a theatrical release), so I was expecting to find some similar enjoyment in The Sugarland Express, his first outright feature, and another one centered around a lengthy car chase. Alas, that didn't happen.
Despite having an incredibly basic story, Duel ultimately works for me because I care about Dennis Weaver's character. I genuinely want to see him outwit the lunatic driving that semi-truck. In this one, however, I didn't find that same emotional connection (with any of these characters, honestly), so the stakes never really had a chance to set in. This, combined with a general lack of tension, caused the low-speed car chase to completely flatline for me after about forty minutes.
As spectacle goes, though, you can definitely tell that it was made by an enthusiastic up-and-comer. Those panoramic shots are incredibly cinematic, as is the sunrise/sunset aesthetic. And Hawn's certainly as likeable as ever. It's just a shame that my enjoyment doesn't run much deeper than that. This movie wants to combine the danger of Bonnie and Clyde with the energy of Smokey and the Bandit (yes, I know it came out before that one; you get what I'm saying), but I think it's too bland and detached to convincingly pull off either one.
Still, I think this Spielberg kid has a bright future in the movie business. Call it a hunch.
Grade: C+