2011 is NOT Nicolas Cage's year for cinematic meaning and/or significance as Drive Angry is yet another GAWD-awful film from the Oscar-winning actor who also just gave us the bubonicly-bad Season of the Witch. As a matter-of-fact, the last FEW years haven't been overly kind to Cage's resume -- G-Force, Bangkok Dangerous, Knowing, Next, Ghost Rider, The Wicker Man, The Lord of War, Astro Boy ... as his "bright spots" have actually been few and VERY far between and include The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Kick-Ass and the two National Treasure films. The latter, better ones are "merely good" and/or enjoyable while the his others are ALL dreadful stinkers who's "best moments" are "barely tolerable".
While Drive Angry is relentless and the punches/bullets come one-after-the-other, I found that it all became rather monotonous and a lot of the "killing" became meaningless and obsolete (not the best description of a high-octane thriller).
Cage stars as a hard-nosed felon who has broken out of Hell (yes ... hell) ... who's name is Milton. Hahaha ... right?!? His name is supposed to imply that the movie shouldn't be taken too seriously; but Drive Angry has a difficult time sustaining even THAT joke. An all-powerful devil/demon is played by Billy Burke (Twilight, Red Riding Hood) who appears to be even less-powerful than the film wants the viewer to believe ... it is all rather perplexing and odd (it still has me scratching my head).
Drive Angry doesn't remain consistent with its fury ... at times the anger is only tepid ... and that keeps the film from working on its stupidly ridiculous level. Throwing-in such a questionable female lead (Amber Heard - Zombieland, The Joneses), the film leaves it's viewer more angry than the "driver" in the film. If the film's main character is a Hell-escapee, there should be plenty of road-rage, fury and scorn (PLEASE bring it on!!!); but there isn't much ... as he is simply upset/peeved at times (and this just doesn't cut it). He is very mild-mannered for an Escapee-of-Hell.
While Drive Angry is relentless and the punches/bullets come one-after-the-other, I found that it all became rather monotonous and a lot of the "killing" became meaningless and obsolete (not the best description of a high-octane thriller).
Cage stars as a hard-nosed felon who has broken out of Hell (yes ... hell) ... who's name is Milton. Hahaha ... right?!? His name is supposed to imply that the movie shouldn't be taken too seriously; but Drive Angry has a difficult time sustaining even THAT joke. An all-powerful devil/demon is played by Billy Burke (Twilight, Red Riding Hood) who appears to be even less-powerful than the film wants the viewer to believe ... it is all rather perplexing and odd (it still has me scratching my head).
Drive Angry doesn't remain consistent with its fury ... at times the anger is only tepid ... and that keeps the film from working on its stupidly ridiculous level. Throwing-in such a questionable female lead (Amber Heard - Zombieland, The Joneses), the film leaves it's viewer more angry than the "driver" in the film. If the film's main character is a Hell-escapee, there should be plenty of road-rage, fury and scorn (PLEASE bring it on!!!); but there isn't much ... as he is simply upset/peeved at times (and this just doesn't cut it). He is very mild-mannered for an Escapee-of-Hell.