Paul Walker is not a good actor. In fact, Paul Walker sucks. But, much like Keanu Reeves, Walker (“The Fast and the Furious”) is being cast in movies at a chilling rate.

“Joy Ride” is a fairly thrilling movie kept afloat by hilarious co-star Steve Zahn (“Saving Silverman”), but ends up sinking due to an overdose of Walker and an out-of-place ending.

Zahn and Walker are brothers Fuller and Lewis that are traveling across the country during summer break. Along with picking up Venna (Leelee Sobieski) on the way, the two decide to tease truckers using a CB radio.

Things start getting ugly when one particular driver doesn’t take it kindly when the guys set up a joke for him to meet a woman at a hotel.

A cross-country chase ensues, with the revenge-seeking trucker always knowing where the guys are.

When the trucker, known only as Rusty Nail, kidnaps Venna’s friend from college, the kids must deal with him without the police and by following every instruction he gives. This makes for a good opportunity to see Walker’s butt – which the ladies just love.

Apparently, the latest trend in thriller and scary movies is to have a cliffhanger ending – whether it’s to make room for a sequel or just to be cool – but it has to be done right.

“Joy Ride” doesn’t do it right.

It seems like director John Dahl couldn’t think of an ending or the film company ran out of money. Either way, it pretty much ruins anything good this flick had going for it.

The story remains fairly solid throughout, and the writers find clever ways to give some background to the characters. Sobieski and Walker’s characters have a pending relationship that gives the impression they will fall in love by the end, but it is forgotten.

Nothing more needs to be said about Walker’s acting, except that “She’s All That” and “Varsity Blues” should have been obvious hints that he needs to be a movie grip (whatever that is), not a movie star.

Sobieski, appearing in her second film this fall after “The Glass House,” is once again just average.

Zahn is truly a savior to this film, bringing the only humor and only solid acting to “Joy Ride.” He fits well as an ex-con with a need for excitement – and when he tries to steal his brother’s girl, it makes him even cooler.

“Joy Ride” has some pretty scary moments, which make it a tolerable thriller. But it takes a lot of pieces to make a great thriller, and “Joy Ride” just isn’t a complete puzzle.

Kyle Moss is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Urbandale. He thinks Paul Walker is a great actor.