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Zone's Eye View of "Driven" 

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Synopsis of movie, courtesy of Warner Brothers:

A high-tech action drama set in the dangerous, exhilarating world of open-wheel racing, "Driven" centers on the lives and careers of four drivers chasing the ultimate adrenaline rush. 

Talented but unfocused rookie Jimmy Bly (Kip Pardue) is slipping in the rankings, cracking under pressure from his ambitious promoter brother (Robert Sean Leonard). And it doesn't help that Bly is pursuing an affair with Sophia (Estella Warren), the girlfriend of his nemesis, top racer Beau Brandenburg (Til Schweiger). 

With so much riding on Bly, seasoned car owner Carl Henry (Burt Reynolds) seeks help from former racing star Joe Tanto (Sylvester Stallone), whose once-promising career spun out after a tragic accident that nearly killed him and another driver. But to steer Bly to the top, Tanto must navigate his scarred emotional past, maneuver around the hovering presence of a reporter (Stacy Edwards) covering the male-dominated racing scene, and contend with Cathy (Gina Gershon), his ex-wife who has since married rival racing sensation Memo Moreno (Cristian De La Fuente). 

Caught between success failure, regret and the need for speed, the four competitors are driven to put the pedal to the metal in pursuit of redemption and glory.

Now for The Zone's Eye View

By Laura Alber

Before I go into too much detail on the movie, lets consider the writer…Sylvester Stallone. Enough said? If you’re into open-wheel racing and car crashes, this is the movie for you. If you’re actually looking for some sort of real “plot”, in the words of ‘Tony Soprano’ “Fuggitaboutit”.

The racing scenes were actually filmed quite well, at some points though the quick-cuts were a bit dizzying. And, they also seemed to catch audience attention by putting in as many scantily clad women as possible.

Ok, here it goes. I’m going to attempt to give you what little plot there is to tell. The two top racers Jimmy Bly (Kip Pardue) and Beau Brandenburg (Til Schweiger) are competing for the championship. Brandenburg is the current champion and Bly is the new boy wonder. Brandenburg decides to dump his girlfriend Sophia (Estella Warren) of 3 years because she was a “distraction”. She immediately befriends the younger competitor, hence a love triangle. Meanwhile, car owner Carl Henry (Burt Reynolds) decides his new boy wonder needs a mentor and calls upon former driver Joe Tanto (Stallone) for this task. However, Tanto has a tough time getting any time with Bly due to his overbearing and domineering brother/manager (Robert Sean Leonard).

We see the kid try and deal with the fame and publicity that comes with being on top, and he doesn’t like it much at all. Between Sophia and Tanto, Bly finds himself slowly but surely, and races because he loves it.

Basically, that’s it plot-wise. There are other scenes that seem to have no bearing on the movie, such as Sly’s ex-wife (Gina Gershon), a rude and crude bitch, a synchronized swimming routine by Sophia (most likely to re-catch the male audience attention). A speed chase in the race cars in downtown Chicago, the ridiculous and not at all believable romance between Sly and a special assignment reporter (Stacy Edwards). The technical, personal and emotional advice he seems to have for everyone, like he’s everyone’s own personal shrink. It’s ridiculous.

I guess some positive points would be the cinematography and editing, the incredible crash scenes and the soundtrack. Other than that, there’s really no other reason to subject yourself to this so-called “film”. Director Renny Harlin (Deep Blue Sea, Die Hard 2) has definitely done better work. Maybe it was just the appeal of working with Sylvester Stallone again, who knows. This one gets a 2 out of 10 stars for the filming and soundtrack. Nothing for plot, actors, acting or anything else.

YO…Stallone! Stay with films like Copland! (Which is probably the only decent movie he’s ever been in!)