Drive Angry (2011)

Some people will argue that Nicholas Cage has passed his prime, or, even worse, that perhaps he never had one. I beg to differ after viewing Drive Angry, the sobad- it's-amazing 2011 flick from director Patrick Lussier.

The story is seemingly familiar, particularly with Cage in the lead role. The film tells of a man escaped from Hell seeking revenge with a fast ride. This may sound a little too close to Ghost Rider to be of any interest, but it ends up being so much more.

The film begins by introducing us to the tough-as-nails Piper, who quits her job at a restaurant and leaves her cheating boyfriend, taking his classic Chevy Blazer with her. Just after liberating herself, Piper picks up Milton, a hitchhiker who promises to be of no threat to the stunningly attractive young woman.

The two engage in a high-stakes pursuit of cult leader Jonah King, who has killed Milton's daughter and kidnapped his infant granddaughter whom King intends to offer as a human sacrifice. To complicate matters further, Milton and Piper are pursued by "The Accountant" from Hell who has been sent to retrieve the escaped Milton and return him to his fiery home.

If you think that Nicholas Cage has lost his touch in any way, you are truly mistaken. Taking the reins as Milton, Cage gives the performance of a lifetime in a feat of entertainment not seen since Face/Off. Cage is once again the ultimate badass who drives fast cars and is thirsty for revenge against his nemesis.

Alongside Cage is the impressive, and gorgeous Amber Heard playing Piper. Piper quickly develops a sort of camaraderie with Milton and sticks by him through thick and thin.

The Accountant is played by William Fichtner, whose deadpan performance will have you laughing and squirming in equal proportion.

Billy Burke plays a brutal, delusional and cruel cultist Jonah King, whose disgusting acts of drinking blood and unprovoked murder really get under your skin.

Also bringing strength to the cast is David Morse as Milton's longtime friend Webster, who offers up not only his strength but also his classic cars to aid Milton's quest.

More than just a well cast flick, Drive Angry has a plethora of strengths behind it. The fast pace of the editing keeps the adrenaline flowing through the theatre from the first minute through to the very last. The awe-inspiring sounds of the muscle cars revving and roaring their engines are complimented nicely by the heart-pounding beats of the soundtrack. The 3-D effects only add to the fun, fast feel of the movie and are far less nauseating than many other 3-D movies.

Sure, car flicks might not be everyone's first choice, and it's also not the most literary film released this month. Putting those thoughts aside, Drive Angry will have you laughing and wanting to put the pedal to the metal, so absolutely check it out.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars