Product Details

• Released on: 2002-02-19
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC, Import
• Original language: English, French
• Subtitled in: English
• Dimensions: 1.20 pounds
• Running time: 93 minutes

From Amazon.com
John Cusack displays his usual charm in this adventure film from early in his career. Prep-school student Dan Bartlett (Cusack) flunks his chemistry final and has to forgo a Caribbean vacation with his wealthy girlfriend Laurie and her family. When the professor decides to be lenient and lets him pass, Dan sets off after Laurie--but finds himself one step behind her as he's sidetracked, shanghaied, and almost shipwrecked. Meanwhile, the boat that Laurie is on gets hijacked, just as Dan finally catches up. Hot Pursuit won't be remembered as one of Cusack's best films, but it's enjoyable and has beautiful shots of the Caribbean. Robert Loggia gives a rambunctious performance as an old sea dog and Ben Stiller makes his film debut as a sleazy cabin boy. --Bret Fetzer

On the DVD
Widescreen version enhanced for 16:9 TVs
Dolby Digital: English Surround
English subtitles
Interactive menus
Scene selection

Synopsis
Dan Bartlett (John Cusack) is a lovestruck teen who misses his plane to the Caribbean in this engaging comedy. He was to join sweetheart Lori (Wendy Gazelle) and her father Bill (Monte Markham) in the tropical paradise. Determined to get to the island, his efforts are stalled by three natives with a penchant for marijuana. After he shakes the stoners, Dan is captured by the pirate Mac MacClaren (Robert Loggia). He escapes the scurvy buccaneer only to land in jail on bogus charges. Dan later follows his sweetheart to a yacht where her family is being hijacked by another crook. Veteran funnyman Jerry Stiller provides comedy relief. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Customer Reviews

The best Cusack movie you never heard of.
This movie didn't get the attention like other classics like "The Sure Thing" or "Better off Dead" but it captured John Cusack's charming Charlie Brown Turned Hero quality better than any of them. It sits on my list of favorites, but sadly I never see it in a rental store, and I'm afraid it's destined to obscurity.

But the fact is: I loved it. It was a special, funny movie with a lot of charm.

Great "cheesy" 80's flick
If you're a big fan of the "cheesy" 80's flicks.. pick this one up. It's really very funny! Pair it with a big pitcher of margaritas and you've got the recipe for a night of laughs.

ARRRR! SPAGHETTI-O'S!
Nice little diversion with Cusack playing a prep-school fish out of Carribean paradise water. When problems at school delay him from joining his girlfriend and her folks on their vacation getaway, he's determined to find any way to catch up with them, even take up with a questionable post-modern pirate of a ship's captain played by Loggia (who delivers the classic line that headlines this review). The movie attempts to be all it can be, with subplots involving a family of crooks, a kidnapping, and a search for paternal acceptance, but it's mostly held afloat by Cusack and Loggia's repartee. This is one of Cusack's last pure-breed 80's comedys before he broke out into his dramedy films of the 90's, and his loud "I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING TO ME!" schtick wears a little thin by the conclusion, but all parties involved were smart enough to keep the film short, so it's not painfully obvious. An absolute must for all Cusack fans, and decent fun for everyone else.