Drive Reviews (original) (raw)

Drive works as a great demonstration of how, when there's true talent behind the camera, entertainment and art are not enemies but allies.

Drive not only met my hopes; it charged way over the speed limit, partly because it's an unapologetically commercial picture that defies all the current trends in mainstream action filmmaking.

Drive has always been one of my favorite films. It has a dreamlike quality that is deeply captivating, and Ryan Gosling’s minimalist performance is striking and full of depth. His portrayal of the silent, enigmatic "Driver" is fascinating, and the supporting characters, particularly Irene and Standard, are equally compelling. While the premise might seem simple—an action driver entangled in crime—the film’s execution elevates it to something **** of the standout features of Drive is its exceptional cinematography. I remembered the film being visually striking, but I was surprised by how heavily the "orange and teal" color scheme is used. While this combination is commonly seen in many films, in Drive, it’s not just a stylistic choice—it serves a deeper purpose. The use of color isn’t just to create atmosphere or aesthetic appeal; it’s intricately tied to the storytelling. The vibrant contrast enhances the narrative, reflecting the characters’ emotional journeys and the stark difference between the worlds of Driver and **** film also benefits from Nicolas Winding Refn's precise direction. The story, though straightforward, is layered with tension, subtlety, and deep emotional undercurrents. The characters are richly developed, especially Driver, who straddles the line between hero and antihero, constantly battling between his violent nature and desire to protect the innocence of those around him. The world of Drive feels cold and detached, but through the characters and their interactions, we see glimpses of warmth and humanity. This contrast is reinforced through the clever use of lighting and **** the world of Driver, the cold, muted hues—often bathed in shades of blue—mirror his isolated and conflicted state. In contrast, Irene’s world is bathed in warmer colors, reflecting the innocence and hope that Driver seeks to protect. The reds, particularly associated with violence, sharply contrast with the soft yellows and blues, creating a visual language that speaks volumes without words. This visual storytelling, along with the sparse yet impactful soundtrack, helps Drive stand out as a deeply atmospheric film that isn’t just about action, but about the emotional cost of violence and the desire for redemption.Ultimately, Drive is a film that leaves a lasting impact. It’s more than just a heist thriller or a crime drama—it’s a meditation on loneliness, violence, and the quest for purity in a corrupted world. Whether it's the evocative cinematography, the atmospheric score, or the intense performances, Drive combines all these elements to create a haunting and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Drive is an absolute masterpiece. It's a beautifully framed movie, with amazing editing, a perfect soundtrack and a perfectly-written protagonist, the Driver. The writing is just perfect. The characters are amazing, especially the Driver. We get to see his personalities and that builds up to something very unexpected. The supporting characters are great, Shannon being my favourite. The dialogues are also flawless. There is a lot of silence in the movie, but when they talk it's something important and well-said. The directing is absolutely perfect. The director had a clear vision about adapting the book to the screen. The framing is amazing, every shot has something outstanding in it. The cinematography is utterly strong, the car chases were amazing and there were a few awesome long shots. The shot with the Driver next to the car on the cliff is my favourite. The editing is also perfect. The pacing is flawless; not fast, but never boring, while the cuts were amazing and stylish. The acting performances are all amazing, but Ryan Gosling was unbelievably powerful. He showed all the different emotions of the Driver perfectly. The soundtrack is also perfect. Nightcall is an amazing song, while my favourite is A Real Hero, because it's so well in theme with the whole movie. The Driver wants to be "A real human being and a real hero"; the protagonist of the story, which he is, but at what cost. Drive immediately became one of my all time favourite movies. "- There's no good sharks? - No."

From the beginning, it's clear this is not a standard-order action film. It takes its characters as seriously as its chases, shootouts, and fights.

Though both highly stylized and highly stylish, Drive isn't hurting for substance. It has rich, complex characters and a storyline that's both emotionally engaging and almost sickeningly suspenseful.

Mainstream audiences will probably be confounded by Drive, while lovers of gritty filmmaking will defend every exaggerated shotgun wound as art. Know which camp you're in before you enter the theater.

Refn's mix of grindhouse horror with sweetie-pie sentiment is a recipe mastered by Takeshi Kitano (and, in his own way, David Lynch), but this director's brew is simpler, more direct, less cerebral and less heartfelt. To invest oneself emotionally in the central relationship, or the movie itself, would be akin to investing oneself emotionally in one's car. But when the car looks this good and drives this fast, why not?

Every bit as dumb as August's "Conan the Barbarian" but awash in neon-lit nightscapes and existential dread, with killings so graphic that you can't entirely believe what you're gagging at.

Ayo, Drive with Ryan Gosling? Straight masterpiece. That main character—just a quiet dude, but there’s layers, you feel me? He doesn’t need words; every look, every move got you in his head. It’s like you’re riding with him, feeling the weight of his choices. He’s simple but deep, carrying more in a stare than most do with a whole script. It’s rare to see a character hit that hard without saying much, but Gosling pulled it off, making you feel every struggle, every ounce of loyalty and rage. This movie’s a classic, no doubt.

Severely let down and mislead by the premise of Drive, let me explain, firstly "A mysterious Hollywood stuntman" is far from the truth, Goslings unnamed character doesn't appear "mysterious" in the slightest my exact thoughts whilst watching were "wow this guy is slow". Secondly how does goslings unnamed character have so much time on his hands to be a get away driver, a mechanic, test drive, hangout with the neighbours kid and karate lesson, like seriously we're expected to believe that this guy just knows how to fight and overpower those who are clearly bigger than him? I really wanted to like Drive and I had high expectations but after the opening scene I was just waiting for the film to entertain me again.

_________ War gar nicht so schlecht hätte aber noch besser sein können.... > 6/10

Very, very slow paced movie and overall very boring to watch. A few good scenes here and there are not enough to save this movie from being tedious to watch.

Hyper stylized can be done well with real purpose. Unfortunately, in regards to Drive, it can be done so wrong that it becomes laughable. I was unconvinced by the characters motives and feelings and honestly didn't care about any of them. The plot had a good structure, but was really blown to bits by the director's ego. The cinematography was wonderful though so at least it had something going for it.

Production Company

Release Date Sep 16, 2011

Duration 1 h 40 m

Rating R

Tagline Some Heroes Are Real

Golden Schmoes Awards

• 6 Wins & 16 Nominations