Drive - Blu-ray Review

4.0 Stars (out of 5)

Synopsis

A Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver is lured from his isolated life by a lovely neighbor and her young son. His newfound peace is shattered, however, when her violent husband is released from prison. (Buy Now $19.99)

Listen to the Review

Starring:

Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, Christina Hendricks, Ron Perlman

Director:

Nicolas Winding Refn

Blu-ray Release Date:

January 31, 2011

Subtitles:

English, English SDH, Spanish

Rating

Overall rating weighted as follows:
Audio 40%, Video 40%, Special Features 20%, Movie - its just our opinion so take it with a grain of salt

Audio 4.0 Stars (out of 5)

Dolby and DTS Demo Discs used as basis for comparison

• Subwoofer – 4.0 Stars
• Dialog – 4.5 Stars
• Surround Effects – 3.5 Stars
• Dynamic Range – 4.0 Stars

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Drive is mostly a quite movie, but when action elements kick in, it really packs a punch. The subwoofer is not used as often as I would like, but when gunshots, car crashes, and engines rev up the low end has a lot of weight to it. The rear speakers get some action every once in a while to open the room up during the car chases and when a helicopter passes over head. Dialog performance was good, but a few whispered words where lost in the mix.

Video  4.5 Stars (out of 5)

Spears & Munsil Benchmark Blu-ray Edition used as basis for comparison

• Color Accuracy  - 4.5 Stars
• Shadow detail – 4.0 Stars
• Clarity – 4.5 Stars
• Skin tones – 5.0 Stars
• Compression – 4.5 Stars

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Original Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

Drive has a unique look. The colors are a tad warm and dark colors drip like ink. At times dark shadows crush details and tend to add a dreary mood to the film’s style.. Skin looks great and never looks too red or pale. Only one or too scenes showed signs of compression problems. Clarity performs well and brings out the fine details in clothing, beard stubble, leather grain, blood spatter, and stitching on the driver’s scorpion jacket (which is can be bought online if you look for it.)

Bonus Features 3.0 Stars (out of 5)

• I Drive (1080p, 5:26): Discusses the story and the characters.
• Under the Hood (1080p 11:50): Gives more details on the characters and the cast.
• Driver and Irene (1080p, 6:14): A look that the relationship between Driver and Irene.
• Drive Without a Driver: Entretien Avec Nicolas Winding Refn (1080p, 25:41): A long sit-down interview with the director.
• Cut to the Chase (1080p, 4:35): Goes over some of the driving sequences in the film.
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.
• BD-Live.
• UV Copy.

Movie – 4.0 Stars (out of 5)

Review

Drive is an interesting film, the story is simplistic, the dialog is minimal, and the pace is slow. In most movies, these would be all bad things, but somehow the director and Ryan Gosling’s performance add more to the film than its script and mood. Everything said or done is deliberate and calculated. Nothing is done or said unless it has to be. It should be noted that we learn almost nothing about the main character; we don’t even get to know his name. It reminds me of The Man with No Name western trilogy, you never learn the hero’s name and he didn’t speak much, but Clint Eastwood’s performance made it iconic.

Don’t watch this movie expecting to see lots of action. This is not an action film, its crime drama. Yes there are a few action sequences, but they are mostly clever and not meant to be a spectacle. If you like movies that are beautifully shot, enjoy watching great performances, and have a slow burn, Drive might be the type of movie you’re looking for.