Dir: Patrick Lussier , USA, 2011, 104 mins
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard, William Fichtner, Billy Burke
Review by Mark Byrnes
If there was an Oscar awarded for the hardest working performer in Hollywood, Nicolas Cage would probably be odds-on favourite to win. February sees the arrival of his second film this year, the supernatural action flick, Drive Angry 3D .
Following the murder of his estranged daughter by religious cult leader Jonah King (Billy Burke), convicted and executed felon Milton (Cage) escapes the bowels of Hell in a quest for vengeance and to save the life of his newborn granddaughter. Aiding him in his quest is a feisty young woman, Piper (Amber Heard), who decides to hit the road with Milton in her newly acquired muscle car. In pursuit of Milton is the mysterious Accountant (William Fichtner), who is determined to bring him back to Hell, whatever the cost.
One thing that can be said about Drive Angry 3D is that it pretty much delivers what it promises. It is like an old-fashioned exploitation flick, but with much better production values and shot in glorious 3D. From the opening scenes severed limbs, shell casings and fists fly out of the screen, which admittedly does have some novelty value at first. But like so many other films marketed as a 3D experience, the storyline tends to suffer.
However, judging this film on its storyline is somewhat pointless, as the filmmakers have clearly set out to make an entertaining genre film that does not take itself too seriously. Some of the action set pieces and dialogue (“I never disrobe before a gunfight”) border on the ridiculous, but the film moves along at such a fast and energetic pace that one does not dwell on its shortcomings.
Cage cruises through most of the film in neutral gear, giving the impression of someone who is only mildly peeved rather than consumed with anger. William Fichtner however brings a certain relish to his role as Milton ‘s deadly antagonist, essentially stealing the picture from under Cage’s nose. Heard provides the required eye candy and proves that she can handle an action scene, while Billy Burke disappointingly comes across rather limp as the evil cult leader, Jonah King.
If Cage’s much publicised problems with the tax man continue then it seems that his fans may be in for more of the same genre fare that Drive Angry 3D offers. Just don’t bet on it being considered for the best picture Oscar next year.
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