Geekscape Movie Reviews: Drive Angry 3D
As one pissed off and determined father escapes from prison hellbent to avenge the death of his daughter, seat belt yourself in, as you’re in for one helluva ride, Drive Angry 3D has slammed up to the curb.
The film opens with a surreal view of a bridge and a hellish sky making you wonder; “What is this,” while looking through your 3D glasses?
Its director Patrick Lussier’s (Scream, My Bloody Valentine) newest film shot in 3D (not converted) that stars Nicolas Cage (Kick Ass, Ghostrider) as Milton, the vengeful father with a penchant for American muscle cars and weapons that go BOOM!
Milton’s daughter has been brutally murdered by a satanic cult leader, Jonah King, played by Billy Burke (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse), his infant grand daughter kidnapped, and up for most desired baby sacrifice of the year, come the next full moon.
Jonah King believes it’s his destiny to unleash Hell on Earth as the next messiah and alongside his loyal and trashy-hick followers he’s determined to kill whomever stands in his way. To accomplish this endeavor apparently you need the right wardrobe for the job, which includes stylish clothes, a pendant necklace, and the femur bone of Milton’s daughter which accessorizes his outfit nicely as his pimp cane that sometimes doubles as beat down stick.
To add to the revenge seeking plot, Milton’s being hunted as well, and this guy isn’t messing around. The Accountant, portrayed by William Fichter (The Dark Knight, Prison Break) as a hellish agent for the big guy whom he describes as a “quiet man, that likes to read, and doesn’t approve of babies being sacrificed in his name,” and we aren’t talking about Jesus. The Accountant, with a keen nose and a super-natural way with flipping coins don’t let much stand in his way including foul mouthed red necks.
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
When Milton meets Piper, she says to him after agreeing to give him a ride for fixing her 69 Challenger R/T, “I don’t pick up hitch hikers.” He replies, “I wasn’t holding out my thumb.”
Amber Heard (Zombieland, Pineapple Express) plays Piper, the girl in the wrong place at the wrong time or vice verse depending on how you view cop killing, crotch kicking, foul mouth cussing and general all around seriously pissed off-ness when she catches her fiance in her bed with a naked, well endowed woman!
I was a little skeptical with the dialogue in the beginning of the film. I thought it might be some newbie writer… but if so, why would Nic Cage be in it? Then I figured out that it was purposely set to be corny and filled with one-liners and snappy dialogue which by the way, improve, as the movie goes on. Actually I think this film might gain some cult status when it comes out on DVD as I wouldn’t mind seeing it again just for that.
Drive Angry 3D is grind-house throwback that features Cage doing what he does best, and that’s becoming unhinged and certifiably bad ass on the screen. As an actor, he’s had an impressive career in more than 66 films playing every type of character under the sun, including two Oscar Nominations and a win for Best Actor in 1995 for Leaving Las Vegas. There really is no actor that comes to mind that could do a better job of playing Milton. This role embodies what I love about Cage’s acting antics.
After a long day of escaping prison and beating some ass, Cage settles down with a cigar, some Jack Daniels, and some one on one time with a lucky lady he met at the honky-tonk, Bull By The Balls. While getting to know each other intimately, 10 weapon carrying good ole’ boys break in, and Cage takes them on whilst getting it on. Not just any actor could pull this kind of story and action off. I loved every sequence of bullets shooting out, legs a flying across the room, boobs a flapping, and blood splaying against the wall, in this grind house flick.
The movie moves from fight scene to chase scene keeping the screen lit up continuously for 104 minutes – the perfect amount of time for this film to run. With so much action, gore, cool cars, hot women, snappy dialogue, my cheeks are hurting from smiling so much, geek-joy instilled film, that I can’t wait to see it again when it comes out on DVD.
Drive Angry 3D is not out there to stimulate a deep thought, or try to instill morality in you. It’s all about loosing yourself for a bit, alongside a good friend and a big bowl of greasy, buttery popcorn for some mindless entertainment. Strap in your seat belt, as this car goes 0 to 60 in 4 seconds.
