"Drive"

[Audley Strange]

Another Sunday evening, another movie. I was looking forward to Drive, mostly because I think Ron Perlman and Bryan Cranston are terrific in almost everything they do. I was also looking forward it because I liked the idea of it being a homage to those 70's and 80's crime movies. So was it any good?

Well, it was slow moving filled with long pauses, empty or unfinished conversations and occassionally of impressively grotesque ultraviolence (one part had the audience who had been deadly silent through the whole thing all groaning simultaneiously. Personally I thought it was played perfectly, but it was so much like a Michael Mann movie, that it was practically indistinguishable from an actual 80's movie. Now if you like Michael Mann's work, that... slow... pacing... of... dialogue... that... never... really... goes... anywhe... mixed with blank glances and highly stylised camerawork and muscial score, they you are in for a treat.

Also if you've ever played GTA San Andreas then the whole movie plays out like a couple of incredible grim missions from that game. From the bubblegum pink font and cheezy 80's electronic pop, through to seriously understated performances, fashion, plot and even development this movie seems less a homage to that 80's genre and more like a lost classic of the same.

It's not everyone's cup of tea that's for sure, but the rest of the audience seemed to be as engrossed by it as my and my friend were, I saw not a single wanker play with their hand held ego feeders throughout the entirety of it, which is VERY rare in a cinema these days.

As usual take it for what it's worth, but I'd give this 8.5 thumbs up.

[Clinton Huxley]

I thought this was going to be a review of 5Live Drive with Peter Allen. But the film sounds good too. Comparisons to Taxi Driver from the Kermode.

[Animavore]

Will be seeing on Wednesday. I love this guy's films (Pusher, Bronson, Valhalla Rising). I'm sure I'll love this too.

[Clinton Huxley]

Valhalla Rising was bonkers in a good way.

[Millefleur]

I saw it with my brother. Wasn't really my cup o' tea but it wasn't the action film I was expecting so I was pleasantly surprised. The main character annoyed the hell out of me though, I assume the pauses and silences were meant to make him appear brooding but I thought it made him look a bit awkward and 'speshul'. Still, I enjoyed it nonethless.

[Audley Strange]

I saw it with my brother. Wasn't really my cup o' tea but it wasn't the action film I was expecting so I was pleasantly surprised. The main character annoyed the hell out of me though, I assume the pauses and silences were meant to make him appear brooding but I thought it made him look a bit awkward and 'speshul'. Still, I enjoyed it nonethless.

I think you were right with the latter, I got the impression he was meant to be some kind of idiot savante. He was too wide eyed and happy to be brooding.