Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW

Drive Angry

MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) for strong brutal violence throughout, grisly images, some graphic sexual content, nudity and pervasive language.

Reviewed by: Daniel Thompson
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Extremely Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Action Suspense Thriller 3D
Length: 1 hr. 44 min.
Year of Release: 2011
USA Release: February 25, 2011 (wide—3,200+ theaters)
Copyright, Millenium Filmsclick photos to ENLARGE Copyright, Millenium Films Copyright, Millenium Films Copyright, Millenium Films Copyright, Millenium Films Copyright, Millenium Films Copyright, Millenium Films Copyright, Millenium Films
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Millenium Films
Hell

Is there an actual place called “Hell”? Answer

Why was Hell made? Answer

Is there anyone in Hell today? Answer

Will there literally be a burning fire in Hell? Answer

What should you be willing to do to stay out of Hell? Answer

How can a God of love send anybody to Hell? Answer

What if I don’t believe in Hell? Answer

THE GOOD NEWS—How to be saved from Hell. Answer

Sin and justice

about murder in the Bible

death in the bible

final judgment

justice

justice of God

How do I know what is right from wrong? Answer

REVENGE, love replaces hatred—former israeli soldier and an ex-PLO fighter prove peace is possible-but only with Jesus Christ

Featuring Nicolas Cage—Milton
Amber Heard—Piper
William Fichtner—The Accountant
Billy Burke—Jonah King
David Morse—Webster
Todd Farmer—Frank
See all »
Director Patrick Lussier
Producer René Besson—producer
Ed Cathell III—co-producer
Boaz Davidson—executive producer
Michael De Luca—producer
See all »
Distributor Millenium Films

“All h*ll breaks loose”

The B-movie has been around for decades. Originally, a B-movie was the description given to a film that would play before the feature presentation during a double feature, or one that would play in a much smaller room of a movie house. B-movies were also defined as lower budget movies with ridiculous plots that tended to be more gratuitous in content. Today, B-movies just go straight to video. That is, unless someone like Quentin Tarentino (“Grindhouse”) or Nicolas Cage decides otherwise. If that’s the case, then you’re left with a film like “Drive Angry”, the latest attempt by Nicolas Cage to crawl out of financial ruin by making any movie that will have him.

“Drive Angry” is a classic B-movie in almost every since, aside from the $50 million budget that includes the latest 3D technology. The plot is ridiculous: Milton (Cage) escapes hell to hunt down Jonah King, an occultist who killed Milton’s daughter; all while being chased by The Accountant (William Fichtner), the devil’s right hand man. During his chase, Milton meets a girl named Piper (Amber Heard) who comes along for the ride.

The film is made in classic B-movie style. Someone can be bloody one moment, and then in the next scene be completely clean. The effects will be modern and top notch one moment, and then the next be laughably bad. The dialogue is stilted, with built in pauses for audience laughter. The actors all play things very serious, adding to the hilarity. It does help that “Drive Angry” was able to recruit one the biggest over-actors of all time for the lead role. Nicolas Cage brings along his ridiculous hair and crazy eyes for every scene of the film. Also, two of America’s best character actors, William Fichtner and David Morse, show up and deliver the only enjoyable moments of the film.

In keeping with the B-movie theme, “Drive Angry” is overtly gratuitous. Blood and guts are sprayed across the screen; there are several sex scenes as well as female nudity. People are shot, stabbed, run over, and decapitated, all while the ringing sounds of foul language fills the theater. Most of this content is done not to advance the plot; it is simply for the sake of gratuity.

In this day and age, it takes a lot of skill to recreate a B-movie experience. “Drive Angry” definitely pulls that feat off. Unfortunately, a few humorous lines of dialogue aside, that experience comes with boatload of scenes that should never be recreated again. Sure, our main character is out to avenge his daughter’s death because he can no longer take the suffering of hell, but he does this while sleeping around and killing innocent people. This is a film that the reviewer saw so as to officially warn Christians of its included content. You cannot expect Hollywood to be biblical, but you can expect some moral positives or redemption for your money. “Drive Angry” contains no such redemption and should be avoided at all costs. Considering how “B” is still a passing grade, can we call this one an F-movie?

Violence: Extreme / Profanity: Extreme / Sex/Nudity: Extreme

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—This was an AWESOME movie! Nicolas Cage is one of my favorite actors, and he did a great job. There were tons of action scenes and car chases. I’m a Christian, and I don’t think any movies are “offensive.” I don’t really care about language or any of that so-called objective content; I just watch movies for entertainment and I swear sometimes too. Also, I’d like to major in film and get a career in this industry one day.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Good / Moviemaking quality: 5
Chuck, age 21 (USA)
Neutral
Neutral—This movie left me with mixed feelings. I will admit I was entertained by it on a basic level. It’s never boring, it has some funny moments and some spectacular action scenes. Nicolas Cage is dependable in a role like this, and William Fichtner was very good as the devil’s right hand man. If you like to turn off your brain and be entertained by a loud movie with a ridiculous plot and if you can keep your thoughts clean despite the nudity, by all means, go ahead and watch this.

However, if you’re looking for any redeeming qualities, for anything positive to be taken away from watching this movie, look elsewhere. It will offend many Christians with its extremely coarse language, brutal violence and nudity and there is not much to be gained from watching it.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Hans Vdb, age 31 (Netherlands)
Negative
Negative—As a Christian, this film was pure junk. Walked out of it when half was through, because of the nudity and sex scenes, that were all over the place in the movie. 3-D effects were cheaply done, nothing like “Avatar.” The f-bomb was constantly used, also.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 1½
Stingray61, age 50
Negative—As an adult Christian, I tend to try to allow myself the right to see movies that are adult in theme and rating, as long as I realize that I’m making a choice that is not completely in agreement with New Testament discourse regarding “be holy”… I mean after all, we, as Christians, have to realize that this is always the issue with any movie, that is above a “G” rating… PG -R, as you are going to get faced with some vulgar language and some sex, and often both as you increase the immorality rating, as that is what it really is, isn’t it??…

So, with respect to this fact of movie watching in light of the Bible instruct to guard your heart, mind, etc. … I can tell you in no uncertain terms that seeing this movie, “Drive Angry,” is like washing your spirit in a toilet… do not see it… It is vile, it is profane, it is perverted, and it is immoral… So, there it is, enter at your own risk.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 1
Elena, age 50 (USA)
Negative—This was a prime example of Hollywood’s lack of concern for movie content. The story might have been interesting, if it wasn’t filled with explicit sex scenes that are very graphic. The rating of this movie should have been-X, not-R. Nicolas cage is a good actor, and can do much better then playing in this cheap porn and filthy language movies. I regret watching this movie, and do not recommend it to anyone, Christian or not.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Hillery T. Watkins, age 45 (USA)