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Productstar 2.0
Drive (2011)
This drama film is a wild ride that'll keep you hooked from start to finish. Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, and Bryan Cranston deliver standout performances in a story that's equal parts action-packed and emotionally charged.
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A Disappointing Ride: My Thoughts on Drive
summarizeEditor's Summary
I'm not one to write movie reviews, but Drive was such a letdown that I felt compelled to share my thoughts. We picked this movie expecting a thrilling ride, but it turned out to be a slow and unengaging crime drama. The story's lack of depth and underdeveloped characters made it hard to connect with the protagonist. The film's atmosphere and soundtrack were the only redeeming qualities, but they weren't enough to save it from its overall disappointment. The pacing was uneven, with some scenes feeling rushed and others feeling slow. The plot twists were predictable and lacked any real surprise or tension. Overall, Drive felt like a missed opportunity to create a compelling and engaging story.
settingsSpecifications
Hikaye5/10
Kalite4/10
VerdictKötü
Aktörler7/10
KarakterGeliştirme3/10
I'm not one to write movie reviews, but today's exception is warranted. If I've written about films I've enjoyed in the past, this one's going to be the opposite story.
We picked a movie for the evening carefully, ignoring what's trending and going by critics' reviews. We were convinced we were in for a treat, but...
Let's get to the review and discussion.
Movie Details:
Release Year: 2011
Runtime: 100 minutes
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Worldwide Box Office: $76,976,666
Movie Description:
Drive is a story about a stunt driver by day and a getaway driver by night. When he takes on a high-stakes job, his life becomes a deadly game. To survive and save his charming neighbor, he must do what he does best – drive like crazy and lose the bad guys.
My thoughts below are my personal opinion and experience. I'll try to avoid spoilers.
Characters
Driver – Ryan Gosling
The main character is a solitary figure with his own motivations and sense of right and wrong. However, I got the impression that he's a bit of a wild card. He's okay with stealing, taking on high-risk jobs, helping others, and pulling off crazy stunts. What's not to like about that?
Airy - Kerry Mallon
My neighbor and the love interest of the main character. She's got a kid and a husband who just got out of prison. She's adorable.
Honestly, I think Airy's main concern is keeping the peace, and the rest... I'm still not entirely sure if she's staying with her husband because she loves him or because she has to.
Shannon - Brian Cranston
He's the main character's friend, always calling him 'kid'. He's got a good heart, but he also views him as a project and an investment.
He's a talented mechanic, but he's also got a bad case of wanderlust and a penchant for getting into shady dealings. You can tell he's not cut out for it, but he's got a certain charm that's hard to resist.
As for the rest of the characters... I don't have much to say about them.
My overall impression of the characters.
The actors aren't bad, but the problem is that the characters are just so... flat. They're supposed to be deep and complex, but it feels like they're just going through the motions. We get a lot of backstory, but it doesn't really make me care about the characters. When I ask myself 'why should I care about this person?', I just don't get an answer.
The movie tries to show the main character's introspection, but it just looks like he's thinking really hard without actually feeling anything. It's like they're trying to make him seem deep, but it's just not convincing.
I was really disappointed with the dialogue in this movie. It's like they thought a few long, lingering shots would be enough to make up for the lack of actual conversation. But it just felt forced and unnatural.
And don't even get me started on the pauses. I mean, pauses can be great when used sparingly, but here they're just overused. It makes the main character come across as slow-witted.
Sights and atmosphere.
But then there's the cinematography, and that's where I have to give credit where credit is due.
The shots are beautifully composed, with great work from the camera operator and color correction. It's clear they put a lot of thought into creating a visually stunning film.
The use of bokeh in the background, subtle blur, and neon/nouveau-inspired shots all add to the film's unique atmosphere.
My verdict:
I liked the way the romance was handled, it was interesting and not cheesy, but for me, it was a bit too subtle. I needed something more to believe that this was the kind of love that would make you do anything. I just didn't buy it.
I was hoping the writers would break free from the typical genre clichés, and for the most part, they did. But in doing so, they didn't bring anything new to the table.
The music is actually pretty good. It pairs well with the visuals to create a tense, unsettling atmosphere that's like a slow-burning fire.
But that's exactly what doesn't happen. The film feels like it's dragging on, and it's not in a good way. It's stylish, but I found myself waiting for something to happen, for something interesting to kick in. And that never really does.
There is a plot, but it's not new, not unique, and not particularly engaging. What's there to watch?
Gosling? He's just okay for me – I'm not a huge fan, and his smile doesn't really do it for me.
I'm not convinced that the massive budget for this film was anything other than a cash-grab from its fanbase. If some less-than-charismatic actor had played the lead instead, the movie would've tanked. The open-ended ending doesn't really leave me wondering – I just don't care what happens next, to be honest.
Moral of the story: is there some deeper meaning hidden in there? Nope, not really. It's just another movie about people making sacrifices for love. We've seen that before. What I do find interesting is that people don't just fall onto the 'dark path' for no reason – some of them are genuinely flawed. But we never really get to understand the main character's motivations or what he thinks about his own fate – it's like he's just going through the motions, agreeing to do stunts, racing, and robbing without any real sense of purpose.
I get the feeling that the filmmakers were trying to create something deeper and more meaningful, but they just couldn't pull it off. The result is a movie that's neither exciting and action-packed nor engaging and thought-provoking. It's just... something in between.
So, here are my takeaways:
atmospherichigh-quality cinematography and color palettegreat music selectionstylishThat's about it for the positives. Now, let's move on to the negatives:
tiresomeboring plotincredibly unrealistic character behaviorI had a hard time buying into the characters' motivationsthe characters just didn't resonate with methe dialogue was stilted and awkward, with some scenes feeling like they were dragging on foreverI never really got a sense of what the movie was trying to say or achieve
Verdict: I just didn't click with this movie. It felt like a slog to get through, and I never really connected with the characters. I mean, I watched it, but it was like waiting for something to happen, and it never did.
That being said, the movie did have some style going for it – the music was well-chosen, the cinematography was top-notch, and I'll give it a few points for that.
But overall, I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this one – it's just not worth the nearly two hours it'll take to get through.
Unless, of course, you're a fan of Gosling, but that's really up to personal taste.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is Drive a good movie for fans of crime dramas?
While Drive has some elements that fans of crime dramas might enjoy, its lack of depth and underdeveloped characters make it a disappointing watch. I'd recommend checking out other movies in the genre for a more engaging experience.
What's the movie's runtime?
Drive clocks in at 100 minutes, making it a relatively short but still engaging watch.
Is the movie suitable for all audiences?
Drive contains some mature themes and violence, so it's not suitable for all audiences. I'd recommend it for viewers 17 and older.
What's the movie's genre?
Drive is a crime drama with elements of thriller and action. It's a great choice for fans of these genres, but it's not without its flaws.
Is the movie worth watching?
While Drive has some redeeming qualities, its lack of depth and underdeveloped characters make it a disappointing watch. I'd recommend checking out other movies in the genre for a more engaging experience.
Can I watch Drive with my family?
I wouldn't recommend watching Drive with young children due to its mature themes and violence. However, it's a great choice for older viewers who enjoy crime dramas.
What's the movie's release year?
Drive was released in 2011, making it a bit of an older film. However, its themes and elements are still relevant today.
Is the movie available to stream?
Drive is available to stream on various platforms, including Netflix and Amazon Prime. You can also purchase or rent it on DVD or digital download.
check_circlePros
- •The film's atmosphere was immersive and engaging, making it easy to get sucked into the world of the movie.
- •The soundtrack was catchy and memorable, with a few tracks that really stood out to me.
- •The cinematography was stylish and well-done, with some beautiful shots that added to the movie's overall aesthetic.
- •The film's pace was well-balanced, with a good mix of action and quiet moments.
- •The movie's themes of loyalty and redemption were interesting and thought-provoking.
- •The film's visuals were well-executed, with a good use of lighting and composition.
cancelCons
- •The story was overly simplistic and lacked any real depth or complexity.
- •The characters were poorly developed and hard to connect with, especially the protagonist.
- •The dialogue was often cheesy and unrealistic, which pulled me out of the movie.
- •The plot twists were predictable and lacked any real surprise or tension.
- •The movie's pacing was uneven, with some scenes feeling rushed and others feeling slow.
- •The film's themes were underdeveloped and didn't add much to the overall story.
