Stallones fall continues!

Rating: 5/10 (11 April 2002)

Stallones last couple of offerings have been real flops. Firstly a remake of, hardly a classic, Get Carter, that was followed by this little number, Driven. While both films were not all that bad, they did not merit the amount of money spent on them or the talent Sly possesses, and like his former rival Ah-nuld, often wastes. Of course Sly is by far the better actor but we all know that a lot of Arnie flicks could and should have been better. Of Stallones two recent fares, Get Carter is probably the better film but Driven is far more enjoyable to watch than the overly dark and at times dull remake of the cult hit with Mickey Caine in the 70's.	Anyway, Driven is basically half music video and half soap opera with the odd break for an exciting race sequence. The direction in the film is a little shoddy at times and there are moments that ooze with pure cheese of the stinkiest variety. Slys script is pretty poor it has elements he has written before and to explain to you what I mean just think Rocky 5 on wheels without the twist of Rocky's student betraying Rocky. What Stallones script does do well is the amount of characters given good roles, with depth. This film is definitely a character based film but poor dialogue and lame direction outside of the race scenes make you feel as if your watching an episode of neighbours. The bad points of the script? Well these are the plot and the dialogue. The plot is wafer thin and old and the dialogue is so tacky at times, admittedly some of it is good though but only the odd inspired moment.
Although the film features a lacklustre screenplay and cheesy direction I have to say that the acting is top notch. Sly in particular is in good form, he has definitely given himself a role with some challenge. The others are good too, Til Schweiger as the German race driver who is the main rival to young hotshot Jimmy Bly played well by Kip Pardue. Also on her studio debut the gorgeous Estella Warren does a credible job. Burt Reynolds ranges from the top of his game to slighting hamming but he has some of the better scenes including a good one with Sly.	The selling point of the film, which didn't sell it very well, are the exceptional racing sequences which make a boring sport seem extremely exciting. The special effects are some of the best around, with exceptional crashes such as a car flying through the air in bullet time as other racers fly by underneath. While some effects are dazzling some seem to lack effort such as a digital coin and sewer lid. While these scenes don't quite save the rest of the film they do build up the excitement levels at just the right time so you never become too bored watching the uninteresting relationships and double dealings. Overall this film has its plus points but they are outweighed by negatives. Renny Harlin has proven himself as a great action director but a drama like this and he looks lost outside of the race sequences. Sly had better do something better than this and fast if he is to resurrect his career. 5/10