Drive is not a big action driving/chase scene movie. It’s kind of an artsy independent style movie focused on character drama. If you’ve seen the previews/trailers, you’ve seen most of the exciting driving. So, not a big action style blockbuster. However, there is some pretty graphic violence. If you don’t come prepared for some gore, you’ll be shocked. Not recommended for kids.
Overall, I liked it, but it had some flaws. Pretty slow moving near the start, and the ending was a little unsatisfying.
I REALLY wanted to like this. The reviews were solid, and the comps to Michael Mann '80-90s movies had me…however
Style over substance. IMHO the director watched every Michael Mann film about 20 times, mixed in another 10-15 viewings of To Live & Die in LA, and unfortunately, watched Magnolia once too often. I get trying to make the first “great” LA film of the 21st century…this could have been it, but it missed on 4-5 different levels. Lincoln Lawyer was a better LA movie. 3-4 subtle changes & this could have been as good as Heat. As it was…C+
This is the second film that Carey Mulligan just sucks the life out of–it isn’t necessarily her fault, but my god she is just boring.
The opening 10 minutes is solid, and then 45 minutes of snore…mixing in 2-3 different jobs, 1 every 15 minutes or so would have saved the movie & really moved it along (Heat).
Casting—serious misfire here. Carey Mulligan is nice, but not interesting (I’m trying to be nice here). Albert Brooks as the heavy—seriously? Aside from Hellboy & Blade II (and Enemy at the Gates) Ron Perlman’s acting chops leave alot to be desired.
However as flawed as I found the casting, the director…well, see #1.
The ending: seriously? What, they ran out of $$ & couldn’t do ANY SEFX? And that isn’t even getting into the obvious issue…