I had never heard of this film but my Tivo picked it up. It turned out to be a pretty good, apparently low budget film. The beginning is slow as the movie spends a bit of time trying to set up the improbable event that leads to the main narrative. (Anybody who knows the name of the movie and/or has read anything about the movie knows what is coming, but I will avoid saying it just in case.) Once that events happen, things flow along fairly steadily. The limited cast does a good job. I though Camryn Manheim's role was especially good because it was a very dark comic relief. It was so good that I wasn't sure that there was really any comedy rather than just nervous release/relief. The movie presents a dark outlook on the world (or maybe just rural America), so don't watch it if you are easily depressed.

The story at least is more believable than most. I think there are slight inconsistencies in the boy's ability to drive a car but the only clear example of that I saw was that one time they don't know how to use the brakes then just a minute later (their time; seconds for us) they use the brakes just fine.I think there is not enough character development but at least you won't feel as if the movie spends too much time with character development. About the only character development in the beginning is that the boys use swear words and dare the other to say the same words. That is how the movie begins.The story occurs in Colorado but only on large, dry plains and the only hills are far in the background.There are many things that are not clear (many questions that are never answered) and be prepared for a sudden ending.One thing that should be clarified is that in the beginning things are shown out of sequence. This is only at the beginning. They show the boys then they show someone else but part of what that someone else does happens before part of what the boys do. You will figure it out but it helps to be prepared.Other than that it is a good story.

Travis and Harrison are young boys who find an abandoned cop car, and they decide on a joy ride. Sheriff Kretzer (Kevin Bacon) dumps two dead bodies and is desperate to get back the car. He lies to dispatch (Kyra Sedgwick) and does his utmost to hide that fact while searching for the car. Bev (Camryn Manheim) spots the kids driving the car. The boys discover a bloody man (Shea Whigham) tied up in the truck.This is an intriguing indie. I do like the fact that the boys couldn't figure out how to fire a gun. It builds up to a nice thriller. Then the movie ends. It feels like the production ran out of money. The way it ends needs one final car chase. It could have left the ending without the final chase and leaving the dead bodies dead. Either way would be superior. Otherwise, director Jon Watts does a solid job.

With 'Cop Car', Jon Watts delivers a suspenseful, occasionally comedic thriller boasting an original premise that presents the naivety of childhood. Granted the children commit Grand Theft Auto in the first ten minutes, but that allows the two child stars to excel: James Freedom-Jackson and Hays Wellford. Rarely do two such young actors convey a realistic sense of oblivious enjoyment - which soon turns into concern as the gravity of their situation sink in. Kevin Bacon makes for a fascinating anti-hero/antagonist as the sinister Sheriff who methodically attempts to retrieve the titular vehicle. An excellent film for Watts' CV that justifies Marvel hiring him for the upcoming 'Spider-Man' reboot.