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[Action/Martial-Arts - Graphic Violence/Profanity - 10 out of 10]

Unlike most Hollywood produced martial-arts movies in which fights seem toned down and silly rather than exciting, this movie shows a strong tie to older and much more "alive" martial arts movies in that the fights are strong and unhindered leaving a truly amazing style. This could be the reason why it has won two international film awards and has been called the best martial arts done by a western studio.

Aside from the normal dose of corny jokes and lack of consistent acting expertise, this movie is true to the genre of martial-arts. The fight-choreography done by Koichi Sakamoto and his team alone should make this a film worth watching. The main character (played by a skilled martial-arts actor) goes through no less than five large fight scenes worthy of anything done by Jet Li or Jackie Chan. The ending fight scene prominently displays some of the best and most powerful hits that I have ever seen on screen. My favorite fight sequence is inside a hotel room when four men attack the main character in a space no larger than 20 square feet. I've never really seen a fight that cramped before. The fight itself is very fluid and the moves in the close-quarters battle are outstandingly original.

As for plot, I find it pretty original. The very basic summary is this: a man with an implant in his chest that triples strength and increases stamina is being hunted by the organization that put it there in order to stop him before he sells it to a rival corporation. Along the way he meets up with someone that could use the money that he is offered and an instant friendship is created in-between non-stop attacks on their person. The Director's Cut offers more plot-explanation as well as an original score but that is not the version that is being reviewed.

I'd like to compare `Drive' to some other movies but I can't think of anything like it. `Rush Hour' perhaps, due to it's Asian/American tag team action. `Drive' definitely excels in choreography and action but not in character chemistry or plot. Another movie that comes to mind is `The One' with one of the main characters possessing the ability to move faster and outmaneuver the opposition. The only difference is that `Drive' does not use computer effects in order to show the supremacy of the main character's skills. I believe that `Drive' is an original film that excels beyond anything it is similar to.

This relatively unknown masterpiece has raised my expectations for all martial-arts/action movies like The Matrix raised the bar for action. If one cannot see how this movie surpasses the others in its genre, then they should be fine with watching such films as `Shanghai Noon' or `Kiss of the Dragon' and leave `Drive' to those that can truly appreciate it's unique qualities.

Ah, now I saw this film whilst browsing as you do, and thought I'd make a comment as this is a favourite of mine.

Now it's no Oscar winner and the plot is ridiculous really, straight out of a comic book. But lets face it, this film is all about the action. The kung-fu sequences show you in this film what a wasted talent Mark Dacascus is. He never gets the credit he deserves, and whilst not a great actor, he is very likable and a talented martial artist. It's such a shame we don't see him in more enjoyable movies; If you only ever watch Mark in one movie, make it this one. There's a great cast, who seem to be having a lot of fun, the film pays homage to Jackie Chan movies at points plus the fight choreography is well thought out.

The fight sequences are filmed in a very unique way, with the camera moving at very sharp, precise angles, which gives it a unique style. You never miss a move and the fighting does go at a fast pace. At the end of the day, a kung-fu movie lives or dies on the strength of it's fight scenes. Although not the best scenes you will see, the combination of humour and good action direction, really show off the skills on offer here.

So if you're a martial arts movie fan, and not seen this, give this it a whirl! It might just pleasantly surprise you.

I consider myself a connoisseur of crap cinema. Whether it's an overblown, big budget misfire or low budget, straight-to-video B movie, I love to watch filmmakers fail. Not to revel in their defeat, but rather to learn from their mistakes. To quote the Scottish reformer Samuel Smiles "We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success." Drive however is a surprising success.

When I first discovered this film I was shocked that I hadn't seen or even heard of it. It's a sci-fi/action/Kung fu movie, which is maybe my favorite genre (semi kidding) and it stars Kadeem Hardison, one of my favorite comedic actors from childhood and Mark Dacascos, who is (in my opinion) the most overlooked action star of his era. Drive is the exact type of obscure film I make it my business to know all about and it let slip through the cracks for decades. For shame.

The second shock came when I searched the title on IMDb and discovered it had a 6.8 rating. I have never seen a low budget, direct-to-video, action film with such a high rating. 6.8 is a great rating for any film. There are movies that have been nominated for the Oscar for best picture that don't have a 6.8 rating. Now I was intrigued.

The final shock came when I was viewing the credits and I saw another familiar name: Koichi Sakamoto. Koichi was the long running fight coordinator for the TV show Power Rangers, a show I watched religiously from ages 2 to 14. 14 was probably too old to watching Power Rangers but Koichi's amazing fight choreography, which just got more elaborate and impressive as the series went on, made it well worth the ridicule.

With this film Mark, Kadeem, and Koichi handedly prove you don't need a big budget, gaudy special effects, and A list actors to elevate a film beyond it's ridiculous premise.

And the premise is ridiculous. It's like Rush Hour mixed with Iron Man. But director Steve Wang, who's work is obviously inspired by tokusatsu superheroes, is in a clear but strange comfort zone. Wang, who moved to the United States from Taiwan when he was 9, masterfully blends Eastern and Western influences more effectively than most directors.

This film moves with the brisk, breakneck pace of the best American action movies, features some of the most inventive fight choreography in any movie I've see , low budget or blockbuster, and the actors performances, while not Oscar worthy, are certainly solid.

As I was watching this movie, listening intently to the dialogue, scanning the faces of every performer, looking for something to grumble about. To criticize. To roll my eyes at...and I found nothing. Drive is a rare gem and totally deserves it's 6.8 rating. Drive was cheaply made but not poorly made. Everyone from the visual department, to the stunt team, to the actors brought their A game and it shows.

Lastly... Rush Hour is a complete rip off of this film. Watch Drive and then Rush Hour. Or vice versa. The similarities are obvious and devastating . Shame on you Brett Ratner. Shame.

I have watched the matrix loads of times and the action scenes, although probably on a much tighter budget for this film were far superior to that of the matrix. I saw this film first on the Sci-Fi channel and even though I have it on video I still can't help watching it when its repeated. I think Mark is a superb actor and deserves more recognition and also can't wait for the rumored new film which reunites him and the director of drive. Buy it on DVD or rent it today.. The plot might not be the best ever but its one film you cant watch enough.

I thought that this movie was excellent, I watched it after a recommendation from a friend.

After a slow first ten minutes when we get introduced to the main characters Toby Wong (an excellent Mark Dacascos)and Malik Brody (equally as good Kadeem Hardison) the action gets under way and doesn't stop until the closing credits.

The jokes come quick and fast throughout and the film only gets better with the introduction of the fantastic but pretty unstable motel worker Deliverance Bodine (Brittany Murphy).

Overall I give it 8/10