One of Sly's better ones

Rating: 8/10 (29 April 2001)

"Driven" reteams Sylvester Stallone with director Renny Harlin since their excellent 1993 action flick "Cliffhanger". Even though "Driven" can't quite top the tandem's earlier effort, it's still a pretty good movie. Plus, I give them credit for trying something a little different. Instead of an R-rated romp filled with violence, blood, and gruesome deaths (which Stallone and Harlin are noted for), they've made a PG-13 picture with none of those aspects. The action and special effects are still intact, though they're different this time out. "Driven" centers on two race car drivers: one who's the current champ (Til Schweiger), and the other who's a rookie phenom (Kip Pardue). Burt Reynolds is on hand as a team owner who's representing the rookie. Then the kid starts to have a few bad outings, and that's when Reynolds asks Stallone (as a former race car champ) to come on and help the kid out. "Driven" does have it's flaws. Parts of the movie tend to go over-the-top, and is marred by some stupid supporting characters (especially Reynolds, who's O.K. here; but I'm just getting a little sick and tired of a certain character who will go to any lengths to win at all costs). The screenplay, by Stallone (writing solo for the first time since "Rocky V") isn't great, but it's better than most of Stallone's scripts to some of his earlier movies. Still, I liked most of what I saw in "Driven". The race car scenes deliver punch and are exciting (thanks to good directing by Harlin). Stallone gives a good performance too. This is one of his better efforts, and he hasn't made too many good movies in the last 10 years or so. Another very good performance is turned in by young Pardue, as the rookie. I remember first seeing him in last year's Disney hit "Remember the Titans". He played "Sunshine" the quarterback, and was excellent in that film. He's got a bigger role here in "Driven", and plays his part exceptionally well. I believe we'll be seeing alot of this actor in years to come. "Driven" is no masterpiece to be sure, but it'll do for now. As far as Stallone's sports movies go, it's not as good as the original "Rocky", but it sure is far better than his awful 1987 arm wrestling flop "Over The Top". I'll take "Driven" over that one any day.
*** (out of four)