by Beth Dobbs

Created on: March 08, 2009

This is a very fun, entertaining entry to the Masters of Horror series. Whereas in some of the series' notable episodes humor actually detracts from the story and weakens the edge of the overall plot, it works quite the opposite here. Now don't let me give you the impression that we're talking about slapstick here or that there isn't disturbing content. This is Masters of Horror, after all, and they love their gore and their nudity. But the dark comedy in this one definitely sets it apart. The story itself is entertaining and the pace is fast. The spark comes from the moments of well-timed and well-placed humor. The stronger acting (and writing) in this entry elevates it above many of the other films/episodes in this particular series.

The basic plot centers around two serial killers fighting to make their mark on a particular swath of highway. One is calm, cool and collected, while the other one is more a lighthearted psycho type. I'm shallow enough to add that the crazy one isn't too hard on the eyes either. When a bus stalls on the side of the road, there are more than enough victims at hand to go around for both men, but the loner, who decided not to hitch a ride or wait around for the bus to be fixed (Fairuza Balk), naturally proves a bit more difficult to lay hands on.

Both men find more than their share of entertainment. The younger of the pair indulges in some fairly graphic and more than slightly creepy skinning, while his compatriot seems to prefer things a bit cleaner. In the end, they both realize that they can't truly take the crown without taking down Balk's strong-willed, streetwise survivor. It's exactly the character you'd expect from her, but that doesn't make you root for her any less. Despite her importance, the episode never lets you forget that the focus isn't on her.

This is not, as the movie Behind the Mask: Rise of Leslie Vernon suggests, a movie that needs a "survivor girl." Rather this is an exploration of the world and territorial disputes of serial killers. They have their own bizarre logic and their own unspoken rules. Pick Me Up comes alive most vividly when the two men are in direct competition and squaring off. It's a strangely gentlemanly game considering the brutality of the sport, and they both play their parts with relish and enjoyment that makes it just as much fun for the audience to follow.

I give this one four big rigs out of five.

Learn more about this author, Beth Dobbs.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.