I distinctly remember coming home from work one Friday night and having a few friends over to watch the premiere of a little action film called Drive. It was 1997, and HBO debuted the movie before it hit video. It starred Mark Dacascos and looked different than much of his previous work. Little did I know at the time just how unique it would be.
Directed by special effects artist Steve Wang (The Guyver), the film exceeded all expectations, and I have no reservations saying it’s one of the best action films of the ’90s. After the premiere on video, it would later be revealed that the cut released in the United States was not the preferred Director’s Cut. One of the producers took it upon himself to snip twenty minutes from it, making the film play quicker but eliminating crucial character moments.
Several years back, I discussed this with Steve Wang (which you can read here) in more detail. Until recently, this version had never been available in the United States. MVD Rewind released both cuts on a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray last year, which made up for the previous subpar releases. Now, MVD strikes again, this time in association with 88 Films, as Drive returns in a 4K Ultra HD edition. It doesn’t get much better than this.
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Special Agent Toby Wong (Dacascos) is fitted with a device that gives him superhuman powers. Out of fear the tech will be exploited, he flees Hong Kong to San Francisco to sell the device but soon finds himself being hunted by a gang of ruthless assassins hired to retrieve the device. With the help of out-of-work singer Malik (Kadeem Hardison), the unlikely duo can’t trust anyone. Their only option is to fight to survive.
The film has been referred to as the best Hong Kong martial arts film not made in Hong Kong. This description is spot on, and I couldn’t have said it any better. The fight choreography by Koichi Sakamoto is nothing short of astounding. Mark Dacascos is in top shape, and these action scenes leave you breathless. Just when you think a fight can be topped, the next one is even more impressive.
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Wang directs with confidence, and you never question where his head is. The story moves forward with ease and the characters, especially the leads, are relatable (especially in the Director’s Cut). The three leads, Dacascos, Hardison, and the late Brittany Murphy, have a genuine chemistry that is the glue holding everything together.
While the special features from the MVD Blu-ray were basically ported over to the 4K release, it doesn’t really matter. It’s jam-packed with great material like an audio commentary with the cast, a 4K restoration of the Director’s Cut, the theatrical cut, a behind-the-scenes look, archival interviews, a trailer, alternate artwork, and more.
Those who have seen Drive know that the 4K is worth every penny. It looks and sounds fantastic, and there’s a noticeable difference in quality from the standard Blu-ray release to the 4K, either edition worthy of your hard-earned cash. This is a near-perfect action film, and you won’t be disappointed regardless of the edition you choose.
