Drive

[kevinknapman]

definatley agree with what someone else said earlier this director is one to watch

Indeed, although he has quite a few films that you can check out now, as he's been directing for about 15 years. Films Include the Pusher trilogy, Bronson (the first movie where Tom Hardy bulked up), Valhalla Rising and...er...an episode of Miss Marple (I haven't seen it but I assume it's the one where Miss Marple gets a drug habit and smashes a vicar's knees in with a hammer. I could be wrong though).

[SocialFlutterBy]

definatley agree with what someone else said earlier this director is one to watch

Indeed, although he has quite a few films that you can check out now, as he's been directing for about 15 years. Films Include the Pusher trilogy, Bronson (the first movie where Tom Hardy bulked up), Valhalla Rising and...er...an episode of Miss Marple (I haven't seen it but I assume it's the one where Miss Marple gets a drug habit and smashes a vicar's knees in with a hammer. I could be wrong though).

Marple smacked up!! hmmm! I remember that one lol, Thanx KK i will be checking them all out play.com here i come

[valda]

definatley agree with what someone else said earlier this director is one to watch

Indeed, although he has quite a few films that you can check out now, as he's been directing for about 15 years. Films Include the Pusher trilogy, Bronson (the first movie where Tom Hardy bulked up), Valhalla Rising and...er...an episode of Miss Marple (I haven't seen it but I assume it's the one where Miss Marple gets a drug habit and smashes a vicar's knees in with a hammer. I could be wrong though).

I was interested in the Pusher trilogy but again worried about Violence, same with Bronson which I have but haven't dared watch yet

[Mesa7719]

So all in all, would you say this is worth a watch?
My OH fancies going to see this

[a_person]

For anyone who really wanted a t-shirt, here's a comp for you:

[McG]

So all in all, would you say this is worth a watch?
My OH fancies going to see this

I'd probably say "Yes" even though it wasn't exactly to my taste.

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

Will be seeing this tonight at an Odeon. Its my friend's birthday and he made this movie his choice birthday outing.

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

Saw this at the Odeon Convent Garden. When we got there only premiere seats were available which was fine, it just a few quid more and it was my mate's 40th birthday. I see all the screens have been updated with the new HD digital projections which was cool. Sound system was great, proper volume balance unlike some other cinemas. But when we sat in the premiere seats, I couldnt see any bloody difference to the other normal seats, just different material and a label saying "Premier seat" and thats it. I was expecting more roomy seats or a lapdance. Ok not the lapdance, not sure why that popped in my head. Point is there was no difference so why are they charging a few extra quid for it? The staff are friendly but in one case overly friendly. Trying way to hard as if they were previously critised for poor service and trying to make up for it. Our cashier for instance was non stop chatting to me as I asked for Drive tickets, she chats away and the says, ok so Troll Hunter right? I say, no Drive. She apologises and continues to babble on. Then we overhear the next customer ask for drive tickets. The cashier chatters and then says, "ok Troll Hunter it is"....what a nutty cashier.

Anyway onto the movie. Damn, I didnt realise how retro this movie was going to be. I really dug this film, the brooding atmosphere, the cool early 80s synthesised sountrack, and almost noirish vibe. It was a real carp back to some moody 80s movies such as Manhunter and The Driver. To be honest the opening was brilliant and unfortunately, the rest of the film never quite lived up to the classiness of this opening sequence.

But as the film rolled on, I began to realise, hold on, this is a remake of an old but very cool late 70s film called The Driver starring Ryan O Neal and directed by Walter Hill. Very similar storyline, same main character, same brooding atmosphere, same lack of dialogue, same awesome old school car chase sequences. I am surprised no mention is made that this is a remake because in my mind it blatantly is.

The violence was few and far between but when it comes, its pretty gruesome in a Godfather/streetfellas sort of way. I was embraced for that though having seen 10min preview of one of those gruesome sequences at the Empire Big Screen.

The actors were all great, Gosling continues to shine again with star presence. Ron Perlman is fun to watch as usual although there were a couple of moments where he went all Samuel Jackson and it just didnt quite suit him.

The ultra quiet love affair was getting a tad tedious though. I get the artistic motives of the loooong silences between the dialogue exchanges between them but it was at certain points getting a bit ridiculous.

Its clear the director was trying to channel an old school style of film making which is refreshing, just personally for me, its a pity that I found too much similarity with the Driver so I couldnt help thinking the word "copy" too many times. Sometimes i do envy the younger generation who is oblivious to these older films and can enjoy remakes as a an original.

Despite my dissapointment of spotting it at as a remake of The Driver, it is still enjoyable, atmospheric and well excuted movie.

7.5/10

[kevinknapman]

I think there are enough differences in plot to stop this from being a remake. The main plot of Driver concerns a detective who gets so obsessed with catching a getaway driver that he sets up a fake bank robbery to trap him. Sure there are some similarities but The Driver was also heavily influenced by Le Samourai. There are probably just as many similarities between this and Michael Mann's Thief. I think if you just accept that this was influenced by several LA neo-noirs of the 70's and 80's (as well as being based on a book), it's easier to watch without being too bothered.

[raj101]

Driver had more fun driving scenes, there was a focus on driving rather than on an awkward romance.