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 have never in my life written a bad review but I could not be more angry with what they have done to one of my favourite films!! WHY!!!! The soundtrack to this movie is iconic and adds to the romantic silences and brooding violence. The arrogance of Zane Lowe for thinking he could or even should change something that was so perfect. Absolutely fuming. Please find the original film with the original score. You won't regret it, unlike watching this, this you will regret!!

I can't recommend this highly enough. Compulsively watchable, this is an exercise in control and passion. A portrait of a man of cool, detached intellect falling in love and as a result, his world falling apart. Ryan Gosling gives the performance of a lifetime. The supporting cast, including Carey Mulligan are all excellent. The sparse dialogue leaves huge portions of the story that stand and fall on the acting ability of the cast. There's no room here to hide behind tone of voice and words. This is a deeply subtle film, told more in body language, gesture and eye contact than bold actions and lengthy exposition. And this makes the brutal, bloody action sequences all the more jarring, explosive and gripping for the contrast. There is one scene that runs the gamut from deeply moving first kiss, to bone crunching destruction and violence, to crushing remorse in a 60 second window and the full rollercoaster of emotions is displayed with never a word uttered. Gosling is truly an actor at the peak of his craft in this role. The direction, editing and cinematography are all nothing less than superb. Not your typical 'slip the brain into neutral' action flick. This is intelligent fare with blink and you'll miss them plot intricacies. Be prepared to work at it. Give it your undivided attention. It deserves nothing less. Achingly beautiful, deeply moving, brutally violent this is a complex and sophisticated brew. LA looks gorgeous. The soundtrack is emotive; haunting, 80's electropop throwback with a modern twist. By the time you finish this, shiny jackets will seem like the last word in cool. Worth every penny and one I'll be watching again and again. Check out the novel 'Drive' too by James Sallis. Seriously recommended.

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! :)

Brilliant acting by the whole cast. Great Direction and Photography. No Spoilers. Its all about greed and whose responsible, fuelled by the car. Its exciting, not predictable and a bit violent. I Loved it and would recommend it as a Good watch. Stream It. Enjoy