Drive [Blu-ray] [2011] [US Import]

There isn't really much that hasn't already been said a thousand times about this gem of a film. It really is fantastic from beginning to end. The film is basically about a driver (Gosling) who gets mixed up in a dangerous situation. He is dragged into this situation because he seems to have fallen in love with Irene (Mulligan) and therefore wants to keep her and her child safe. This leads to Gosling having to carry out a job. However, certain complications arise and the story really begins to take off. There are many scenes in this film that are silent, yet they are so beautifully shot by Refn that they almost appear to be images taken straight from a canvas painting. Be warned that there is actually very little driving in this film, despite the fact that it is about a stunt driver. It is very much plot based and a rather simple plot at that. There are also scenes of what some may consider to be gratuitous violence. I however felt that the scenes of violence stressed the lengths people will go to when trying to gain or protect certain things. Throughout the film I was also blown away by the soundtrack. It really flows well with the film and I also own a copy of it. The Blu-Ray transfer is of great quality and the sound seemd good to me. My hearing is rather poor so I would have had issues if the sound had not been spot on. Overall I would certainly recommend this film and it would certainly be in my top five films of 2011. It has a fantastic cast and Refn directed the film perfectly. It really is a modern piece of art on screen. I'm beyond shocked that Gosling and Refn weren't even nominated for an Oscar as both deserved at least a nomination.

I first heard about Drive online, seeing it being recommended by so many, as well as a friend. I thought I'd sit down and watch it. Acting: The acting is amazing. Ryan Gosling does a amazing performance, heavily using facial expressions and body language to convey emotion he does this really well. This, when mixed with he his relationship with Carey Mulligan's character is beautiful to watch and far more engrossing than using actual dialogue. Both Bryan Cranston and Albert Brooks perform well as well, personally I feel Cranston did outstandingly and was probably the most underrated of all the actors. Directing/Cinematography: Nicolas Winding Refn, the director, has done and excellent job. The whole feel of the film is brilliant. The way it is shot is amazing and realistic, often the love scenes between Gosling and Mulligans character's are slow and have a relaxing tone whilst the action is very much the opposite. Another great thing done by Refn is the way music is used in the love scenes instead of the action, this it great to build tension and it quite a stark contrast to other films. Soundtrack: The music used in Drive is brilliant, giving a techno 80s feel to it. I found myself looking up the music used almost strait after the film. Often the music is used to give you and impression of the what the characters are feeling and are used mainly in love scenes, the best example of this is the song 'Under your spell' by Desire. To sum up, an amazing film I highly recommend to anyone who loves films. It is definitely one of my favourite films, if not my favourite film of all time.

This was my first encounter with the talented Ryan Gosling and at the same time my second time watching a Nicholas Winding-Refn movie. The first I saw was Valhalla Rising and anyone who've seen that might know why I was a little worried going to the cinema for Drive. Putting it bluntly I still today consider Valhalla Rising the worst movie I've ever watched. And that's a shame because I love my countryman Mads Mikkelsen's acting. But to Drive's fortune I walked in expecting nothing much (lots of reviewers seemed to love Valhalla >.>) and I was basically in love with this new movie. Everything from the story of a stunt-driver doing illegal things during odd hours but I also loved the soundtrack and the acting (Bryan Cranston was a welcome surprise) and simply the character design. The almost mute Gosling was very interesting because you couldn't get annoyed by his person simply because he didn't give a lot of information about his personality - that and the few and far between "outbursts" where he showed his actual capabilities just mixed so well together. The movie has a short scene where topless women are on screen and there are a few extremely gory moments during the movie, but besides that it's mostly language and I would reccomend the movie to anyone looking for something slightly different from the typical Hollywood movie. I really liked this from start to finish and think most people should be able to get into it though it may seem slow if you're mostly in it for action scenes because this is mostly about the characters' stories and how they all go together. 5 stars, well worth the low cost ^_^

I liked watching this film and thought it was well made and well acted, however, the hype levitates it to be something more than the sum of its parts. As critics have said, the plot is basic, dialogue is minimal, it is overly stylistic to at times which makes it a bit unbeliveable. I know the director considers it a modern fairy tale in the Grimm tradition and in this light it is effective, but unsatisfying also as the plot is so one dimensional. In spite of this though I can't help give it four stars as this is a film that makes and impression and is one I imagine I will watch a few times as stylistically it is quite fascinating and Ryan Golsling and the lead actress are very watchable. The gore and violence however will put off many so beware as these moments are quite extreme and dwelt upon by the director. .................................,.................. About eight months later I re watched this match and lo an behold I feel compelled to add a few extra comments. I had broadly forgotten about some of the details of the plot but this time I knew what I was letting myself in for. Second time round and I was amazed,touched and moved and ...I got it...I thought the film brilliant,clever and although all my above points are I think valid, this time round I think my four stars might be a bit closer to five. A film I look forward to watching and re watching every now and then in the years to come. I look very much to the directors next work.

This film is a MUST have in anyone's Blu Ray collection!! The photography, camera angles, the silences, the chemistry the music are all top notch in this film I have to say for me it was the best film that came out in 2013! ( on Blu Ray that is! ) As soon as the disk was in the player and the menu screen came up the music that played instantly caught my attention, as soon as I hit Play.. I was gripped from start to finish totally outstanding. If it's an action film you want.. then this could be hit or miss for you, as this doesn't have much action, but when the action is there it's top notch and that goes for the violence also, there isn't much but when it's there wow it's hardcore! There are plenty of silent moments in this film, but believe me!, they are there for a reason.. the chemistry between the 2 main characters, words are not required, the visuals show you the intense love between them and the music just helps with the delivery. Beautifully shot this film is like a moving photograph and not one frame is wasted, each shot is used to it's full potential. The Director certainly knew how to key into my imagination.. and I for one will be watching out now for more of his movies! Superb, thought provoking master piece this is one film I will recommend to all and one I'm proud to have in my collection, I shall be returning to this film time and again as it just gets better with each watch! :)

Drive is my movie of 2011. Anyone expecting a 90 minute Car chase movie in the realm of Fast and the Furious and to some extent the classic Vanishing Point will be dissapointed though. Drive is a much more thought provoking movie and maybe a little slow for some, but there is a lot more to it. It plays out a little like Walter Hills "Driver" from the late 70s. Ryan Gosling plays the Driver of the title. A loner, who works in a garage and in his spare time acts as a getaway driver for various low lifes. He lives on his own and one day cant help to be taken in by his attractive next door Neighbour, played by the lovely Carey Mulligan. She lives with her son, who he also befriends. It turns out that her husband has been doing time and now hes out and still in debt to the low lifes that put him inside in the first place. Coming home one night beat up, the Driver offers to help him out of trouble but things dont quite go the way they planned. But our smoldering anti-hero has other plans and to defend his collagues and the one he loves, so he decides that revenge is the only way to clear the air. I wont go any further, suffice to say that the film has some extreme violence in places, but to be honest all of it is warranted and not over the top. Gosling is superb in the title role, Mulligan is underused in the film but is still good and there is a great cameo from Albert Brooks probably as you have never seen him before. Check it out - youll love it!

Why on earth would you rescore this movie? Are you out of your minds? Do not watch the Amazon Prime 'Radio 1 rescore' of this. It completely ruins the movie.

This isn't a movie review! Personally I love the style of this film and the soundtrack. Now as a 4k movie goes, it looks stunning in Dolby vision, the blu ray wasn't bad but the colour grading on this really adds a layer of depth . Every scene has it's own picture window, going from golden glows to dark and gritty highlighting the two natures of the driver . The city scenes come alive with the lights standing proud in the city Scape against the black of night. Adding Atmos, and also the original DTS encoding was a genius move and a welcome one. unfortunately as an LG owner it's Dolby or bust ....well LPCM through a stereo channel. Having heard both I can say the DTS has a little better separation on the overheads but the ATMOS adds a bit more reverb on things like helicopters and shattering glass , I like both but the ATMOS adds a the spread of sounds on the main stage There aren't that many scenes that require overhead projection so either will sound good on a set up. Great transfer and definitely a good one to add to the collection.