Star

Oh my, this is by far the most exhilarating of the BMW films... Clive Owen's antics are just amazing, especially since he's always behind the wheel... One thing I've noticed, that a lot of people have missed out, is that Glen, the spineless manager, obviously hired the Driver to do all these stunts... just listen carefully to their phone conversation... breakfast, lunch and dinner... Even though Song 2 is a bit old and overused, it's just so appropriate for this video... the way it comes back on the chorus just as the car lands is just perfect :)

Anyway... Gotta love BMW's M5, truly a rather frightening car, which yet looks so unassuming.. :p I suggest you look up the british TV show Top Gear's review of it... Gotta start saving up for one ;)

As for the person wondering how they did some of the filming from the angle of the car with a fixed camera at a distance, the camera is fixed to the car, you can see that in the "making of", I guess they just camouflage the mounting hardware, most likely digitally. Anyway it gives a seriously impressive (yet videogame-y) effect.

Anyway I give it a hearty and well deserved 10/10, and shall now attempt to perfect my handbrake-turning skills :D

Before the review, a brief plot summary: Star is a famous rock star visiting a small town who is sick of poor service and bodyguards swarming around her. In addition to this, she is spoiled and cocky. In an attempt to loose her protectors, she jumps into The Driver's BMW and orders him around, critizing his driving and demanding he hurry up so that they outrun the guards. Finally, The Driver decides to listen.

As you probably know, BMW has made a series of short films called "The Hire" about a mysterious driver played by Clive Owen as it's driver and a chaueffeur for hire. Each of these films have suprisingly big directors, like John Frankenheimer (of "Reindeer Games") and Ang Lee (of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"). They are really just commercials with an action-film plot. Most are just fun car chases, but this and "The Follow" are the ones with true stories. So, they are both sort of expiriments, in different ways. "The Follow" directed by Kar-wai Wong (of "In The Mood for Love") shows, as it involves drama and emotion. This film is an expiriment with comedy.

To put it shortly, it works.

Guy Ritchie (of "Snatch") writes and directs this comic action short. All "The Hire" films have fairly popular actors, but this one has the biggest by far: Guy casts his wife Madonna in a role similar to that of her real life. The chemistry between her and Clive is fun, and it's entertaining to watch The Driver slowly respond to Star in a witty way. Then the hilarity begins, as he finally listens and "steps on it".... totally suprising her. You can't help laughing as Madonna gets tossed around in the BMW, and the whole film belongs in the "memorable quotes" section (although viewers should note this has stronger language than the other films as Clive uses the word "c**t" once). It even has the "whoo hoo" song in it!

The previous films are good action flicks, but if you want a bit of humour, check this out. The closing scene is hilarious as Star is humiliated in front of all her fans.

"STAR" is the most entertaining film of the great BMW film series. The ironic wit is great and the race through the city is superbly well done - everything fits here: the cinematography, the editing, the great music by Blur, the actors and of course the BMW M5 who gives the best performance of them all!

Enjoy this ride - you won't be disappointed!

10/10

Please note, at the time I'm writing this, the final BMW film "Powder Keg" hasn't been released yet. So far, however, this is the best short film of the series. Great action and driving along with some great laughs make for a truly enjoyable time. The acting by both "the Driver" and "the Star" are top notch even though it only lasts a couple of minutes. I hope to see Clive Owen in a feature film soon.

After the introspective FOLLOW, Guy Ritchie's STAR is a complete 180-degree turn away in terms of style, mood and subject. Fortunately, it's a roaring success.

Clive Owen showcases a previously unseen facility for comedic timing. From his mock innocence as the Star berates him to a later moment when he says with tongue firmly planted in cheek, "I've think we've lost them.", Owen is a delight in this charming little revenge fantasy for those who have had to put up with rude, insolent customers in their line of profession.

Ritchie directs the film pretty much as an extension of the style he used in SNATCH and LOCK, STOCK, & 2 SMOKING BARRELS. All his trademarks are here; Freeze frames, voice overs, and gratuitous use of English pop songs. Combined with the fact that yes, as everyone now knows, that's his wife Madonna as the Star who gets her fateful comeuppance, and the film ends up being the most crowd-pleasing of the series. Highly recommended.