Drive Angry: Review By Jami Philbrick

Say what you will about Nicolas Cage and his choice of films but the guy always does interesting work. It almost seems like the actor has made a conscious choice to only make films that he would want to watch and the result has been a string of exciting and often-strange action movies. "Drive Angry" is no different. The film is exactly what it promises to be: an over-the-top "B" movie and it satisfies on all levels. The movie is basically a revenge film but with an extra "supernatural" layer added on top to give the film more texture, which incidentally works quite well. Cage is one of the few actors of his caliber who could appear in a film like this and pull it off. His Oscar winning acting talents combined with his odd off-screen persona makes him perfect for the role and believable in such a strange but entertaining film. Further more, Cage is likable and that goes a long way. You can't help but admire the guy for always taking risks, which is probably what makes him so endearing. "Drive Angry" perfectly captures everything we love about Cage into a silly, yet fun and entertaining film.

Lately, the only good thing in most Nicolas Cage movies has been Nicolas Cage but that is not really the case here. While Cage is good in this movie and gives a strong performance the film's success does not rest just on his shoulders this time. Director Patrick Lussier ("My Bloody Valentine 3D") has crafted a strange yet exciting film that features some of the best use of 3D that I've seen in a movie in resent years. While other films have disappointed me with 3D that doesn't really jump off the screen the way it should, this film delivers with some incredible moments. Lussier understands that if you are going to use 3D in a movie like this that it needs to be exciting for the audience. Rather than just using the 3D to create depth of field, the director uses it to accent moments such as a wooden steak flying toward your face. That's the 3D that I like best, when something jumps off the screen and scares the crap out of you ... and there are plenty of moments like that in this film.

The film begins by introducing us to Milton (Cage), a total badass who has just broken out of the toughest prison imaginable ... Hell! Milton has one purpose, to save his granddaughter from an evil cult leader named Jonah King (Billy Burke). King brainwashed Milton's daughter and eventually killed her before kidnapping her own daughter, who he plans to sacrifice in order to unleash hell on Earth. Milton enlists the help of Piper (Amber Heard), a sexy, tough-as-nails waitress with a '69 Charger, who's also seeking redemption of her own. Together the two go after Jonah and his legion of followers in order to save Milton's granddaughter before the sacrificial ceremony can begin under a full moon. Meanwhile, a supernatural operative of the Devil named "The Accountant" (William Fichtner), has been sent to bring Milton back to Hell. Now, Milton and Piper must elude the Accountant and find Jonah in order to save the baby before it is too late.

While Cage is great in his role as Milton, it is several of the supporting performances in the film that help elevate this movie to more than your average action film. As the movie's main villain, Billy Burke ("Twilight") seems to be having a lot of fun playing Jonah King, which feels like a cross between Jim Morrison and David Koresh. The actor is appropriately over-the-top at times and fills the role with an evil-ooze that works just perfectly. Special credit also goes to actress Charlotte Ross ("NYPD Blue") who along with Cage performs in one of the best sex-scenes that I've ever seen on film. It is a bit reminiscent of the scene between Clive Owen and Monica Bellucci in "Shoot 'Em Up" but with even more bullets and bodies flying. While the scene is completely ridiculous and unbelievable it's also totally awesome and fun, not to mention that it does play well within the wild context of the film. The one thing in the movie that I didn't think was necessary was a poorly created visual effect scene, which featured a glimpse of Hell and book-ended the film. They looked a bit cheesy and out of place, and ultimately were not needed to enhance the story.

The other great performance worth mentioning is William Fichtner ("Prison Break") who is wonderful as the Accountant. Playing an agent of Satan could easily become stereotypical but the actor ignites his role with style and panache. Fichtner is always doing something unexpected on screen and in turn makes an otherwise unlikable character very appealing. In the end, "Drive Angry" works because it knows what it is and it doesn't take itself very seriously. The movie is extremely satisfying as an over-the-top and ridiculous thrill-ride and delivers on all cylinders. Is the movie perfect? No, of course not. It's totally dumb at times but purposely so and it works great. This isn't the type of movie that you need to think much about. It's just pure fun with a good plot, interesting characters and great 3D effects. I definitely recommend checking this one out in theaters while you still can, I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you are looking for a brainless good time on a Saturday night then I think "Drive Angry" is the film for you!