Knight Rider 2010 is a 1994 made-for-TV film that was part of Universal Pictures'
Action Pack series, loosely based on the 1980s TV show
Knight Rider. In a dystopian future, Jake McQueen (played by Richard Joseph Paul) is a smuggler who works on bringing immigrants illegally through the border, only to be busted by his brother Marshall Will McQueen (
Michael Beach) when he goes to get his truck repaired. Meanwhile, Jared (
Brion James), the crippled head of Chrysalis Corporation, has Jake under observation and sends one of his most valued employees, Hannah Tyree (Hudson Leick), to bring him to work for Jared as part of his company's video games division.
This film provides the following tropes:
- Brain Uploading: Hannah stores her memories away in a data crystal called a Prism. Later on Jake uses this with a special interface installed in his combat vehicle so that Hannah could live as his car's AI.
- Cain and Abel: Downplayed, but Jake and Will are in opposite sides of the law (although Jake is a Loveable Rogue) and they open fire at each other (with no intent to hit) for a short while when they meet before devolving into childish wrestling.
- Crapsack World: The future depicted in this film is a mix of Mad Max-style landscapes dotted with futuristic-style cities such as The Dome, both of which are oppressive.
- Data Crystal: Hannah's Prism is used to store her memories into a format that can be used with a special interface, one of which is installed in Jake's new combat vehicle to act as its AI.
- Domed City: The Dome, which is where the illegal immigrants seek sanctuary in through Jake's smuggling.
- Evil Cripple: Jared, who has Hannah murdered while she is downloading her memories into her Prism.
- Groin Attack: Jake gives Jared this, which ultimately kills him.
- In Name Only: The only thing this film has in common with the TV series is a talking automated car, and that is after Hannah's Prism is used to power and control it.
- Kiss Me, I'm Virtual: Hannah's Prism is able to project a hologram version of herself for Jake to interact with near the end of the film.
- Loveable Rogue: Jake's Establishing Character Moment is him smuggling illegal immigrants through the Mexico/United States border with his armored monster truck and casually shrugging off when they mention they are paying him with their whole savings, but hiding said savings in their backpacks when he sends them off to the Dome.
- Stalker with a Crush: Jared, who has a thing for Hannah and stalks her in the virtual world.
- 20 Minutes into the Future: As mentioned on the title, the film takes place in the year 2010.
- Weaponized Car: Jake's new car and The Dragon's car both notably are armored and carry machine guns. The climax sees them trying to shoot each other while racing inside of an abandoned office complex.
- Your Mind Makes It Real: Hannah's murder in the virtual world by Jared also kills her in the real world.
