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2011
Dir. by Patrick Lussier
This current 3D phase doesn't really do much for me, by and large. It mostly seems like a gimmick from studios to gouge more money out of audience members without providing much of anything in return. Sure, it can be used to enhance an alternate universe (like Avatar) but mostly it's just being rammed down our throats as some great innovation in filmmaking - all the while actually ignoring innovative filmmaking and filmmakers, with studios churning out a more than fair amount of garbage instead of solid films.
Now, that said, 3D can also be employed to entertain in the mindless, goofy way it does best. 2010's Piranha 3D and 2009's remake of My Bloody Valentine 3D (w/ the same director as here, Patrick Lussier) understood this and, while not being landmarks of cinema, nevertheless fully embraced their schlocky roots and full entertainment value, getting us all in on the joke rather than beating us over the head with it.
Into this latter camp of films comes 2011's Drive Angry 3D, an over-the-top actioner that's far more entertaining than it has any right to be. Borrowing an 80's film school sense of abandon when it comes to action, mixing it with the relentless, joyful insanity of the Hong Kong New Wave, and seemingly inspired by or at least in the same vein as 2007's Shoot 'Em Up, this film also throws in a supernatural element, just so its characters and situations can go that much more over the top.
Nicolas Cage is John Milton, a former criminal who escapes the confines of Hell itself (get the name now?) to rescue his granddaughter from the evil clutches of devil-deal-making cult leader Jonah King (Billy Burke). Along the way he befriends man- and life-troubled spunky youngster Piper (Amber Heard) who soon feels quite compelled to join Milton in his quest. She also has a fight scene with a naked chick who moments before was bonking her fiance and later picks up a good-looking busboy and makes him paint her nails. So, there's that. As they chase Jonah in a bitchin' Charger they're also pursued by a mysterious bounty hunter named The Accountant (William Fichtner) who deliciously chews up every scene he's in and fills in some exposition around Milton's current situation.
Given the energy pouring out of this film's action scenes (shoot-outs in churches, chase scenes, fights inside RV's, or one featuring Milton clamping down on a cigar, holding a bottle of Jack in one hand, a .45 in the other, and a horny old waitress straddling his Jimmy, blowing away a small army of cultists) the film does suffer from some awkward pacing. This is mostly around expositional scenes involving Milton but, fortunately, these are not many so, overall, the film clips along nicely.
Good performances - especially from Fichtner - and great, balls-out action sequences are what the film is all about and what it does exceptionally well. The film was shot in 3D so viewing it in 2D makes some of the effects seem like awkward posing but it's clear what their intent was (and makes for a good drinking game-basis). Director Lussier again doesn't seek to reinvent the wheel, choosing fun laughs over any sort of in-depth story. But that's what such pulp-type stories exist for, isn't it? Plus, he's fond of including horror film veteran Tom Atkins in his films now and that's just a far too nice touch to ignore.
Rating: B
