A Film to Redefine the Genre

Rating: 10/10 (1 December 2011)

Drive is a movie I went into knowing about the hype, some people had applauded it, calling it a masterpiece and others had damned it. It really is a love or hate film there is no doubt about that. I loved it, Director Nicolas Winding Refn does an amazing job, using the slow motion scenes as a beautiful motif. The director Wes Anderson comes to mind as he uses it in a similar fashion; highlighting a certain emotion, something that is truly important to it at that point in time. It wasn't just a rifle shooting with the shell hurling out of the chamber like something from a Zack Snyder film. Ryan Gosling does a great job as the driver, the man with no name, a clear inspiration. Bryan Cranston was terrific as usual as the nice guy in the middle of it all. Carey Mulligan was also a stand out, this film lived or died by its actors because of its very simplistic dialogue, it was all in the reactions, the facial expressions. The 80's nostalgia compliments the film well, helping to brighten things up in what is a very dark piece. If people are expecting a fast and the furious type film like how the trailer depicts it to be, don't see it. Its a movie for the movie lovers, if your tired of seeing that same old Hollywood car chase that gets more and more silly see this film, its a breath of fresh air into the genre.