Expecting Fireball-Explosion-Gun-Sex-Drugs? Expect something more meaningful

Rating: 8/10 (2 January 2012)

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First off, you can't argue this to be a classic. I'm pretty sure a "classic" sits around a while before becoming just that. So to you who blab "classic!" and those who say "over-rated minimalist p.o.s.", give it a rest, and give it some time. We'll see.
Secondly, great! Some action addicts need a transforming robot three stories tall to level four skyscrapers in a nuclear battle sequence in order to be happy. Some spiritualist movie-goers only need long pauses, reflective looks, no action, and a good story to appreciate a truly human theme. And some need a little bit of both. I'd say Drive does offer both. Without tension from the pauses, emotion from the characters apparent struggle (physically & internally), and the unexpected climactic action that bursts in your face, yes, Drive would be nothing but a minimalist bore.
Thirdly, is what I'd like to talk about.
I see some people here say this film has no emotion? Eh? And what kind of emotion did you get when you walked out of Mission-Impossitransformers-Alien-vs.-Lantern-Fast-Five-The-Sequel? If you even got a feeling, great, but don't slam other worthy films of 2011 as devoid of emotion or character attachment, when in fact it is quite obvious that they do. Even if you aren't a fan of the M-Bay Explosion Homeboys, take a step back and think about.
Did anyone else notice Gosling's "sacrifice" in this film? That there is a huge example of emotion, is it not? The Driver gave up his security, incidentally his friends, his money, his career both legal and illegal, and nearly his life, for what? For her.
It's a pity that some people these days expect every assisting female protagonist to get banged in a happy-do-ditty sex scene.
I'd like to see more films where the male antagonist is a turned honorable man, protecting what's right in the world, even if it brings him to a bitter fight with evil itself, and even if there is no rewarding sexual gratification, money, or happy ending.
To call all of that, in this story, devoid of emotion, is a gross misunderstanding and insult.
To call this cliché could be a sin.
To call it your opinion - I guess that's okay. ;) 8.8/10