Comic strip characters & cars

Rating: 3/10 (25 April 2001)

Luc Besson said that his childhood daydreams were the basis for his film THE 5TH ELEMENT . . . keeping that in mind, one can, I think, better appreciate the film. I haven't read anywhere that Sylvester Stallone has made a similar comment about his script for DRIVEN. But I think it would fit. I just find it disturbing that I had much more difficulty with suspension of disbelief in this supposedly "realistic" film directed by Renny Harlin than with Besson's sci-fi/fantasy film.
"Wait til it comes out on video" is an admonition often heard about under-par films. But I can't really say that about this film because the visuals are about the only things that *are* good and they would be tremendously diminished on the small screen.
What struck me as good about the film? What sticks out? Well, (I don't think this counts as a spoiler) two race cars driving through the streets of Chicago was pretty much the high point of the film - the events precipitating the impromptu "race" weren't very believable, but the visuals - trashing of newspaper stands as the cars sped by at 195mph (clocked by a Chicago patrolman) and a Marilyn Monroe homage from THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH and the hot air grate - although the car's passing whipped the skirt up a *lot* higher, stood out. No fruit stands though - Roger Ebert will no doubt be disappointed.
Estella Warren (as Sophia) - who bounces between Kip Pardue (Jimmy Bly - the up & coming novice) and Til Schweiger (current champion) does some great aquatic acrobatics - unless she uses a body double. But that swimming pool scene lasted perhaps a minute - for that to stand out is indicative of so much else in the film that was mundane.
And dialogue? Jimmy & his brother Demille (Robert Sean Leonard) have an arguement where Jimmy blurts out "Can't you wait a little longer?" and Demille yells back "I'm not your waiter!" That was good for a few chuckles in the audience. Jimmy has an injured leg and as Demille moves off Jimmy shouts "Don't walk away from me!" and hobbles after him. Another good laugh from the audience.
Locations in Detroit; Chicago (or at least Cicero, IL); Queensland, Australia; Montreal, Toronto & Vancouver, Canada are legit. The "German" and "Japan" venues are simulated.
If you like Burt Reynolds, Sylvester Stallone, and Renny Harlin's direction, go for it. But I would recommend doing it at matinee prices. Don't see it on video. The effect would be way too diminished.
Although critic Teddy Durgin has said that the Chicago race sequence was worth the price of admission (but to leave immediately afterwards, as you wouldn't be missing anything . . . I'm afraid I'd have to agree.