‘Drive: Limited Edition’ 4K UHD & Blu-ray Review (Second Sight)
Stars: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, Christina Hendricks, Ron Perlman | Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
I often start by saying that Second Sight give us the ability to revisit classics or discover diamonds we’ve not yet seen. With their Drive: Limited Edition, this has never been truer. Drive is a movie that doesn’t apologise for the violence on screen, and the characters that it shows.
When a mysterious Hollywood stuntman (Ryan Gosling) who moonlights as a getaway driver meets one of his neighbours (Carey Mulligan) a softer side of him is exposed. When her husband returns from jail and gets the driver into major conflict with the people he works for.
Ryan Gosling’s character is simply named The Driver, we never learn anything more about him. We do get to see what could be a softer side, but the fact is this is not a movie about redemption or seeing the best in people. The rules are somewhat set at the beginning of the movie and the one character who could be destined to change is one of the most conflicted of them all.
Looking at the other characters we have ones that are typical of this type of story. We have his “boss” who pulls him into the world of crime. This character is played by an on-form Bryan Cranston whose likeable fool is disarming to both the Driver and the audience. Carey Mulligan’s Irene is the tease of a better life for the Driver, and one that really brings out a different side of him. To try not to spoil the story though, nothing good ever comes easy, especially in Drive, and their relationship never really seems to have a chance.
What makes Drive a classic in my eyes is that it subverts what you expect from it. We have a stuntman driver who is an excellent getaway driver, but the driving, as good as it is, is never the focus. This is very much a character piece where the “drive” seems to be to the doom of everybody, even if there is a chance for the world to be a better place.
As always Second Sight have outdone themselves with the special edition. With a new 4k master the film has never looked so good, and both UHD and Blu-ray versions are available. A new commentary track has been recorded, and a new 70-minute conversation between Nicolas Winding Refn, Editor Mat Newman and Composer Cliff Martinez has also been provided. The limited edition box set includes a 240-page hardback book about the film, and the original novel.
If you have not seen Drive yet, then this is the best way to experience a true classic. If you have seen it, then this is a very good reason to revisit, especially with all the added extras from Second Sight. Whichever route you take to Drive, you won’t be disappointed by this set.
Special Features:
- A Special Edition release presented by Second Sight Films and Director Nicolas Winding Refn
- Includes UHD and Blu-ray both with main feature and bonus features
- New 4K master produced by the original post-production company and approved by Nicolas Winding Refn
- UHD presented in Dolby Vision HDR graded by the film’s original colourist
- Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- New exclusive audio commentary by Nicolas Winding Refn and The Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw
- Drive: a 70 minutes conversation with Nicolas Winding Refn, Editor Mat Newman and Composer Cliff Martinez
- Cutting a Getaway – a new interview with Mat Newman
- 3 Point Turns – a new video essay by Leigh Singer
- Optional English subtitles for the hearing impaired
Limited Edition Contents:
- Premium box set packaging with new artwork by AllCity
- 240-page hardback book with new essays by Travis Crawford, Hannah, Strong, Alison Taylor, Matthew Thrift, Simon Ward, Thomas Joseph Watson and Emma Westwood, an exclusive interview with Drive author James Sallis by Matthew Thrift, original storyboards, stills and behind-the-scenes photos
- The original novel with exclusive new artwork by AllCity
- 7 collectors’ art cards
***** 5/5
Second Sight’s Drive: Limited Edition is available now.
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