The Last Ride (2004 film)

The Last Ride is a 2004 American action drama television film directed by Guy Norman Bee and starring Dennis Hopper, Will Patton, Chris Carmack, Nadine Velazquez and Fred Ward. The story for the film was written by Rob Cohen, well known for directing another automotive action film, The Fast and the Furious (2001).

The movie premiered on June 2, 2004, on the USA Network and, at the time of its release, was primarily used by General Motors to market the new Pontiac GTO. During late 2004 and early 2005, it was also released in several countries outside the United States, mostly as a straight-to-DVD movie.

Plot
In 1970, Ronnie Purnell is arrested at the California–Mexico border after a robbery and jailed for more than 30 years. Since Purnell's wife was killed during the chase with the police, California Highway Patrol Officer Darryl Kurtz took care of their son Aaron. When Ronnie is released from jail, he decides to take vengeance on Darryl. Aaron has also become a cop and doesn't want to hear about his father anymore, but Aaron's son Matthew, a San Diego street racer, is fascinated by his grandfather's past. Matthew decides to help Ronnie find his old car, a 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge, in which he stashed a key for a safe containing evidence against Darryl.

Cast

 * Dennis Hopper as Ronnie Purnell
 * Will Patton as Aaron Purnell
 * Chris Carmack as Matthew Purnell
 * Fred Ward as Darryl Kurtz
 * Nadine Velazquez as J.J. Cruz
 * Peter Onorati as Burt Walling

Production
Rob Cohen came up with the idea for the film while directing commercials for the 2004 Pontiac GTO. Filming took place in San Diego.