Drive

[iv3rdawG]

I posted a review of this when I saw it about a month ago, but the trailer just came out today from Comic-Con. The movie opens September 16 and it boasts an all-star cast. Ryan Gosling, Carey Mullgian, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Ron Pearlman and Christina Hendricks. Here's the Red Band trailer:

(I'll update it with an HD version when it's available - here's IGN's: http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/07/21/drive-red-band-trailer)

My review:

Drive, the newest film from Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson, Valhalla Rising) will make this Danish director a household name among movie fans if they didn't already know his work.

Ryan Gosling stars as Driver, a Hollywood stunt man and a wheelman for heists. After forming a relationship with his neighbor, Irene (Carey Mulligan), and her son, he's involved in a heist gone wrong and later finds out he has a contract put on him.

Drive is one of the most suspenseful films in recent memory. From the brilliantly crafted opening sequence where we're introduced to Gosling, the film is off and running and it keeps up this pace for the entire movie. The movie is very violent and I haven't heard gasps from a crowd like that in a while. It's a brilliantly shot film and it's gorgeous to look at. Los Angeles is the perfect location and shooting in the actual city makes it that much more authentic.

Gosling is terrific. With Blue Valentine he showed just how good of an actor he is and in Drive he has cemented himself as one of the great actors working now. Carey Mulligan carries her own. She plays a character that is very different than her other roles that it's a surprise to see, but very rewarding. The supporting cast is just as fantastic. Bryan Cranston steps out from his brilliant role on Breaking Bad and does just as good a job here as Driver's employer. Albert Brooks and Ron Pearlman are brilliant and their scenes together are extremely memorable. And to round it out there's a nice little performance by Christina Hendricks from Mad Men.

I want to mention the music because it's probably one of my favorite parts of the movie. Not only the score but the actual soundtrack sounds very 80s and it lends itself nicely to the movie by itself, which seems like it could be made in that decade. The score is reminiscent of Clint Mansell's work on The Wrestler, as well as Moon, and to add to the other-worldly sounds, it also reminded me of Brian Eno's work on For All Mankind. Just brilliant, wonderful work here by Cliff Martinez (Solaris) and some great song choices. And from that, the fantastic opening credits which are very simple yet one of my favorites in recent memory, as well as the amazing ending.

The main aspect of Drive that seems to be garnering the most attention are the brilliantly crafted chase sequences. The opening scene is as good as everyone has hailed it, thrusting the audience into an extremely tense situation that you can't help but have fun watching. In the first three minutes, Refn has found a way to already get the audience on the edge of their seats. A fantastic piece of film making and a lot of fun to watch.

****/****

[TeamRAD]

I am temporarily staying away from your review, iv3rd but wanted to bring this up w/ its wide-release coming this Friday. I'm really jazzed for this.

[Bob]

Wow, that is high praise......

[Relaxing Dragon]

Wow, that is high praise......

That level of praise is pretty much all I hear when it comes to this movie. I'm quite excited to see it, naturally.

I'm going to the midnight show tonight, something I don't do too often these days because I have to get up super early on Fridays. Hope this film's worth it.

[Bob]

The trailer they are showing on TV however, makes it look like a "Fast and Furious" clone and not some sort of deeper movie.    At least that is what it makes me think of.

[D.B. Barnes]

Wow, that is high praise......

That level of praise is pretty much all I hear when it comes to this movie. I'm quite excited to see it, naturally.

I'm going to the midnight show tonight, something I don't do too often these days because I have to get up super early on Fridays. Hope this film's worth it.

I'm almost certain it will be be great. You're a great fan of movies and your enthusiasm, along with others, pretty much guarantees this is gonna be good.

[iv3rdawG]

I can't wait to see it again and pick up the soundtrack. I think it's going to be huge. FilmDistrict has been doing a great job of promoting it. Lot more ads for it then I'd have expected. Love the poster they chose (look up), reminiscent of the title card.

[TeamRAD]

The trailer they are showing on TV however, makes it look like a "Fast and Furious" clone and not some sort of deeper movie.    At least that is what it makes me think of.

Hey wait, are you implying that's a bad thing?!! 

Seriously, if you haven't seen Fast Five, you've gotta rent it next month. It may not be anywhere near as substantial as Drive, but it's a treat.

[Relaxing Dragon]

Why am I up typing now, I have school in 5 hours. Tomorrow morning is going to be a mess.

But I gotta come on and say, Drive was pretty fan-freaking-tastic. It walks a very, very thin line between quiet art film and character-study/action movie, and it pulls it off beautifully. Definitely one that lives up to most of the hype, and one I can't wait to watch again. OK, enough gushing, sleep time.

Actually, real quick: Fast Five was remarkably enjoyable. Seek that one out too (though it and most all car-driver-chase related movies have no real relation to Drive).

[Artie]

Just got back for seeing it    Absolutely fantastic.   Just a great job top to bottom from the cast (Albert Brooks has got to be getting some Oscar buzz from this)

The whole pawn shop sequence was incredibly tense.  You knew it was going to go bad, just now how.

Going to have to get the soundtrack too.

[doggans]

Just got back from seeing it. Very well done. And a part of my childhood died when
Marlin from Finding Nemo killed Malcom in the Middle's Dad!