Drive (1997)
June 23, 2024 1:20 PM - Subscribe
[TRAILER] Maybe you saw Guillermo del Toro's recent tweet praising Drive as "an unbelievable, exhilarating film." Thing is: he isn't talking about the 2011 Drive with Ryan Gosling. He's talking about the bonkers 1997 US buddy comedy/Hong Kong-style action/sci-fi B movie gem with Mark Dacascos (whom we enjoyed kicking ass in John Wick 3), Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Wayne from A Different World), and Brittany Murphy, doing one of those turns where she transforms a peripheral "the girl" part into something electric and weird. It's a lost delight that ticks a lot of the best B movie nerd boxes.
The plot involves Dacascos as Tony, a prototype enhanced human, on the run from Chinese-hired hit men. He hooks up with Hardison's dread-locked bystander Malik, and the two of them elude their pursuers narrowly each time.
Directed by Steve Wang (The Guyver). Written by Scott Phillips. Cinematography by Michael G. Wojciechowski. Edited by Ivan Ladizinsky. Music by Walter Werzowa. Stunts coordinated by Kôichi Sakamoto.
68% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Currently streaming in the US on Hoopla, Tubi, and freevee. JustWatch listing.
The plot involves Dacascos as Tony, a prototype enhanced human, on the run from Chinese-hired hit men. He hooks up with Hardison's dread-locked bystander Malik, and the two of them elude their pursuers narrowly each time.
Directed by Steve Wang (The Guyver). Written by Scott Phillips. Cinematography by Michael G. Wojciechowski. Edited by Ivan Ladizinsky. Music by Walter Werzowa. Stunts coordinated by Kôichi Sakamoto.
68% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Currently streaming in the US on Hoopla, Tubi, and freevee. JustWatch listing.
I'm still smiling from this. This does a 5 out of 5 star job of being a 2 1/2 star movie, if you get my drift.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 3:26 PM on June 23 [3 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 3:26 PM on June 23 [3 favorites]
I caught this in the late 90s as I watched everything I could get my hands on with Mark Dacascos, and this is without a doubt the best amongst the many, many films he made.
I've rewatched it several times (and convinced many others to watch it) and it's just so much fun and the right level of cheesy with legitimately excellent action scenes. The chemistry between the main trio is palpable and just a delight.
Has my absolute strongest recommendation, and I'm definitely due a rewatch.
posted by slimepuppy at 3:27 AM on June 24
I've rewatched it several times (and convinced many others to watch it) and it's just so much fun and the right level of cheesy with legitimately excellent action scenes. The chemistry between the main trio is palpable and just a delight.
Has my absolute strongest recommendation, and I'm definitely due a rewatch.
posted by slimepuppy at 3:27 AM on June 24
I'm going to need to see this, if only for Tracey Walter.
Also, I'm not sure how I watched both John Wick 3 and Wu Assassins and didn't recognize Mark Dacascos as having been "The Chairman" from Iron Chef America.
posted by hanov3r at 8:34 AM on June 24 [1 favorite]
Also, I'm not sure how I watched both John Wick 3 and Wu Assassins and didn't recognize Mark Dacascos as having been "The Chairman" from Iron Chef America.
posted by hanov3r at 8:34 AM on June 24 [1 favorite]
He's also one of the two "dragons" from the Double Dragon film!
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:43 AM on June 24
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:43 AM on June 24
This does a 5 out of 5 star job of being a 2 1/2 star movie, if you get my drift.
Yeah. At first, I thought that that would be a description of The Terminator, but Cameron always had more ambitions for that movie. This is definitely more loosey-goosey and fun, appreciating the old space-age motels and theme restaurants even as it destroys a considerable chunk of them.
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:08 PM on June 26
Yeah. At first, I thought that that would be a description of The Terminator, but Cameron always had more ambitions for that movie. This is definitely more loosey-goosey and fun, appreciating the old space-age motels and theme restaurants even as it destroys a considerable chunk of them.
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:08 PM on June 26
This started off strong and simply got better and more 90's with each scene. Also the only on-screen appearance of a Virtuality arcade machine to my knowledge (which is used to defeat a dirtbike assassin no less). Brittany Murphy wielding a Calico SMG was a delight as well.
Thank you for this recommendation.
posted by subocoyne at 8:28 PM on October 1
Thank you for this recommendation.
posted by subocoyne at 8:28 PM on October 1
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But for real: this is a bunch of excellent action set pieces, Brittany Murphy being gonzo fucking weird, and Kadeem Hardison giving a solid take on the Guy Dragged into Some Action Bullshit half of a buddy comedy.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:54 PM on June 23