User reviews

This film is a shining example of why I always like to watch deleted scenes or alternate endings. Stallone actually wrote the screenplay and after watching what was cut (incl. some scenes that were never even finished) I realize Director Renny Harlin killed this film. The cut scenes and commentary show that this was supposed to be a racing version of "Rocky." All kinds of deep dialogue and development of not only characters, but individual relationships was cut because the Director wanted to dedicate more time to the race scenes and slow-motion shots. No wonder this film seemed hollow. Some scenes just made no sense regardless, but I now know that some of them didn't make sense because the backstory that would've made it make sense was cut. I hate when film makers treat the audience like we're all simple minded and need constant eye candy to keep us watching.

While Driven has some loose ends in the works (I don't think that people would come out of those car crashes with just hurt legs, they would be dead), it still delivers some good things along the way. The film goes in the sense of George Carlin's statement, where else am I gonna see a 26 car collision, and not be in the SOB. Because, the film not only shows the drivers, pressmen, owner's and driver's girlfriends, but the fans, and how many come to the races in hordes to watch cars go in a circle.

The film stars Stallone as a once great driver who comes in to assist Reynolds's new star driver (Pardue) to try and get his head together on and off the track. Often, it seems director Harlin takes his cues from Stone's Any Given Sunday on many of the shots, but this is pretty much original (if you don't take into account that Cruise and Kidman flick). Sometimes absurd, but it works in the popcorn movie sense. Love the quarter trick. B+

After all the preparations of getting hold of the state of the art race cars and setting them up on the racetrack, it is a shame and a disappointment to race fans to watch this movie, because it is so very unrealistic. Most of the action would never take place in real life racing. The chase-scene which includes the race cars in a down-town high speed pursuit is actually very intertaining if you disregard the computer-animated Playstation-inspired action sequences and the fact that racecars cannot be fired up by jumping into the drivers seat and turning the none-existing ignition key. If you are a race fan don't bother to watch this movie - it is too painfull.

This load of garbage has to be one of the worse sports movies ever foisted on the movie going public. The storyline was trite and predictable, the acting was so wooden I thought I was looking at a story about dead trees and apart from some shots of actual CART races, which stood out as the only good looking bits of the movie, the cinematography and editing looked positively amateurish. A couple of special effects looked ok but, as is often the case with inadequate movies, mostly they were used to cover for a load of crap. An example is the sequence where a car is flying through the air in slow motion while cars pass by underneath the car in a blur. Ridiculous. The racing incidents looked unrealistic and the cars racing through the city was positively ludicrous. A good example of the way to show a sequence like that is Smash Palace. Save your money, or time if you are thinking about watching the movie on TV. It is a shame that the scale only goes down to 1 as it deserves less than that. This movie also shows that Stallone was at his "acting" peak as the grunting mumbling blockhead in the Rambozo movies.

I would rather stick my most sensitive anatomical parts in a running blender filled with a cocktail of aftershave, iodine and salt water connected to the electrical mains than watch this load of fetid dingo droppings again.

There is something about well made car racing films that lands well. Similar to the other films I have seen like 'Rush' and 'Ford vs Ferrari' the formula works well. The formula of intensity, danger, high stakes and personal rivalries makes for a great car racing film. Do not trust the critics, they've lost it. I don't agree or even understand where their little heads are at.

Driven has exhilarating racing scenes. Stallone does a decent job in the film and the rest of cast help carry it nicely. Burt Reynolds (Legend) also adds value to this film. The intensity is built up nicely and the ending was really satisfying and a really nice way to end on a good note. Driven is one hell of a ride.

The story, the dialog, the racing, the physics, I am just amazed at how bad this movie is.

I am trying to think of any redeeming qualities of this film and the only thing I can come up with is that the people you think will be the bad guys aren't. But it's not any sort of mystery.

Unfortunately, it's all about poorly executed story line ... actually, story lines. There are a few of them, and each and every one is poorly done.

This movie never should have been made. Reynolds fans, Stallone fans, racing fans and movie fans should all stay away from this one.

I saw the whole movie, it has been over ten years but now I can finally speak about it. I watched the whole movie because I wanted to see if the ridiculousness, stupidity and tripe of the first ten minutes could be topped, it was over and over throughout the entire run of the waste of celluloid (using the term "film" could be misinterpreted as having a certain degree of art in it). I understand why Formula 1 sent them packing, they read the script. C.A.R.T. on the other hand was so desperate they never read the script before then after the movie was out they were so embarrassed for taking part that they shut the series down and hid from public scorn. This movie was so stupidly bad that I cannot even recommend it for viewing as a bad movie, there is no fun in watching it, just pain.

It's been often mentioned by other reviewers that the art of the cornball must have been engineered by Sylvester Stallone; it's just as often forgotten that true tripe goes unwatched merely because it does not go into wide, national release. So guess which movies always receive the worse rep?

Having watched the trailer and anticipated this movie for a while, I knew exactly what to expect beforehand: your typical good guy vs. bad guy, fight for glory, 'win-all-lose-all final confrontation' fare. Surprisingly, I encountered something that attempted to be a little more profound, and while it doesn't exactly hint at the meaning of existence, it explores a facet of human relationships which not many other movies in this genre have touched. The movie's tagline, "Welcome to the human race," does a nice job of encompassing all that this film discusses.

The peculiar thing about the entire setup is that, unlike all other movies in this genre, there are no defined lines. There is no good guy, no bad guy; simply a race for perfection that alludes to the way that most of us wish to live, though the path that we take is an altogether different matter. It's difficult to pick up on, but if enough attention is paid, the idiosyncrasies of each of the characters in this movie speak far more than what their dialogue brings to the table.

Where the film falters, and causes most of the audience to misperceive its message, is in its presentation. It's frenetic, loud, and highly distracting; and yet, tremendously appealing to this particular viewer. The speed with which the director cuts between shots, pans, zooms, spins, spirals, etc., go hand in hand with the feel of the sport in general, and is indeed very creative -- but it is hard to keep up with what's going on. How are we supposed to know what each character is feeling when the scene cuts away before the dialogue is even finished? How are we supposed to be even able to recognize what's happening on the screen when we're not given more than a two-second break between blaringly obtrusive rock songs? Once again, the movie alludes to the sport itself with the commercialization of its soundtrack. And while highly kinetic, and emotionally involving at times (the opening scene with the media was brilliantly executed for a Jimmy Bly point of view), it's just hard to...keep track of everything.

But in the end, the main reason anybody is going to watch this movie for is the racing, particularly the accidents that take place at excesses of 200 miles per hour. And it delivers pretty admirably, truth be told. There are a lot of interesting camera positions and perspectives to make you feel a part of the race, and the special effects could be considered top-notch. Kudos to whoever decided to not give the CG cars and items the cheap, laughter-inducing fluidity of movement that's to be found in just about any other movie with computer graphics (though there were a few scenes with this effect). It's not necessarily realistic, and a little simplistic on the artistic scale, but it reaches a satisfying level of subtlety--and at times, it's fascinating to see some of the things that can be done.

The film is not without its clichés, it sometimes forgets about or fails to discuss a few of its plot points, and the women appear to be portrayed a little 2-dimensionally. But when the crew is watching the race or practice runs from the movie's dramatic camera angles on their small overhead monitor, you simply don't care. The movie takes itself seriously, but it's also intended to be fun; it's merely up to the viewer to interpret how they wish to take it. The first time, it may be a little difficult to swallow, but with subsequent bites, you begin to grow accustomed and appreciate its distinct flavor.

Here's hoping that Stallone sticks to it for a while longer. I'm hungry for more.

8/10

Driven was a very exciting movie. It was much better than I expected and I understood why Stallon was very proud of himself writing this movie. I was going to see The Mummy Returns, but then all my friends were saying Driven is alot better, so I ended up watching Driven with them (second time for them). I really didn't like the role of Gina G., but everything else was very nicely done ESPECIALLY racing/crashing scenes. They were just breathtaking. The movie starts out kind of slow, but it builds up toward the end and you get to know the characters alot better. Sure, every car racing movies have bad plots they say... But you can definitely watch this one for fun. If you like other racing movies like Gone in 60 Seconds, Days of Thunder, this one is a MUST-SEE. Gets 10 out of 10. Way to go Stallon!

Well, I had very low expectations to Driven, but it surprised me. The racing scenes is pretty cool, and the overall atmosphere is also good. Sly's acting is better than usual, but the plot is pretty predictable. A fairly good movie, better if you like F1(as I do), but don't expect a great and surprising movie. I would rate it 6/10.

Not one of Stallone's best films, but certainly not his worst (anyone remember Oscar?). The problem with this film is focus. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians, too little focus on the characters, questionable racing scenes that focus little on actual racing (which would seem to be a little important when making a film about racing). Take your pick. Stallone comes off too "Rocky" in many scenes, although his brief scenes with the lovely Stacy Edwards are well done. Burt Reynolds plays the role of the hardcore team owner without once cracking his signature smile, which is not only disappointing, but disheartening. Til Schweiger discussing emotions with Stallone? In real life, perhaps, but as two tough guys and champions having a tea and sympathy moment? It just doesn't work. Estelle Warren as a love interest works, with her lithe and lovely manners and obvious beauty, but her emotional level doesn't rise to the part. Perhaps the most unbelievable scene in the film is the emotional moment when Kip Pardue and Sly are racing about the city of Chicago in two experimental cars, violating every traffic law on the books, and endangering hundreds of lives, and yet receive no more than a $25,000.00 fine and no suspensions. In all, the characters are two dimensional at best, the superficial at worst, and the film is a waste of just under two hours of your precious time. Rated PG, not collectible, and certainly not one to rent unless you enjoy being bored.

Driven was originally pitched to Formula 1 as a way to crack the US market before the long awaited Grand Prix return to the US in 2000. Fortunately for the F1 administration, they declined to go ahead with the project, a project which has now uncategorically become the worst automotive racing film in history; both in present and in the foreseeable future. Even in millennia from now, when humans have developed extreme degrees of empathy towards failures of past generations, this film will be nothing but a scorched memory on our great civilisation.

This film will, undoubtedly, cause you to lose that last finite ounce of faith that you had in Hollywood's ability to convey a true motor-racing film onto the big screen. Dashed will be your optimism and hope, washed away in a bath of tremendous pain, anger and loss. For you shall never be able to enjoy another F1 or Indycar style movie with the disconcerting knowledge that it has been horrendously attempted before in mind-bloggling array of painful acting, shameful dialogue and epilepsy inducing cinematography.

This film should not be approached at any time, any close contact with both its cover, disc or start menu may cause a debilitating and horrible emotion that, up to the release of Driven in 2001, was unbeknown to mankind.

Please for the love of god ban this film in all UN and non-UN recognised nations, territories, isles, treaties, ice-shelves and water-borne land masses both natural and man-made.

It's hard to write a review about something so horrible in every single aspect: acting, scripting and, above all, the representation of Indycar races... I guess if at least one in the entire troupe has ever watched a real race in his life! Stupid and unrealistic things keep happening all the time, without logic or respect for the intelligence of the unlucky spectator. I'm not spending any more time reviewing this movie, I only hope that no one wants to see it after these lines. I'm a huge race fan and this movies is insulting and a true shame... Arghh! I've been DRIVEN mad! Not yet ten lines! This movie sucks... really sucks! I got it!

Wow~ I never thought this movie would be this good! Awesome car racing scenes with very cool special effects. Take my word for it and watch this one. You won't be disappointed. Estella Warren was gorgeous in this film and surprisingly, Stallon was good too. I thought him as an old retired actor, but I was wrong. Hey~ Sean Connery is still acting, isn't he? :D 10 out of 10

This movie is stunningly bad. Not just a poor movie. This is a waste of money. A waste of time. A waste of an opportunity whose time may not again come for decades.

Note that I did not say a waste of talent. Of that there was none. The acting is unbelievably wooden. Think back to the first Star Trek movie. Yes, that bad! Burt Reynolds in particular is incredibly underwhelming.

The writing is unimaginably worse. Something a sophomore would write, then toss away. There is no depth to any character, situation, or scene. Whatever you see on the screen is it. There is nothing more, and not even much there. Everything seems to have been shot in one take.

Things happen for no apparent reason, then are immediately forgotten. Race scenes seem to be a mad mix of green laps, crashes, yellows, with no pattern or logic.

Oh, did I mention logic? Please check it at the door because this film exhibits virtually none.

We almost got tossed. You see.. since the film absolutely sucked, we reverted to the only thing left for a bunch of guys to do at a lousy movie. We started counting sets of hooters. The unofficial count was 41. The rule was that to be counted the female could not be in a starring role, but had to be photographed just to show off her chest, just to get the movie to the next scene.

Thank you Bernie Ecclestone! Thank you for not getting involved in this mess. One of my friends mentioned that CART management must have been nuts to have themselves portrayed as poorly as this waste of film shows them.

This film makes "Days of Thunder" appear to be fine art.

Hell, this film makes "Death Race 2000" appear to be fine art!

I want to write Warner Brothers, not to demand a refund of my money (yeah, if I had paid), but more to demand a refund of the two hours of my life that were wasted by this lox.

Dude.. this movie sucks.

There haven't been too many car racing movies that were good. Burt Reynold's 'Stroker Ace' was a good ol' boy comedy that pleased the fans that it was aiming for. Tom Cruise's 'Days Of Thunder' was just so-so. Sly Stallone's 'Driven' was much much better than the two combined. Sly also wrote the screenplay to the movie, which helped tremendously. The plot was decent, but the casting was just so-so. Sly was excellent as the retired car driver brought back into action to mentor a young rookie driver who's losing his edge midway through the season. Reynolds appears here also, this time as the car owner who employs Sly. Burt portrays his stearn character very well. You don't know if you like him or hate him in the movie. The rest of the cast was ok...could have been better, but when you have great racing scenes to make up for it, all is well. Critics & fans blasted this movie for all the wrong reasons. They saw it & expected 'The Deer Hunter'. The movie was made for racing & Stallone fans. Sly's screenplay made me think of Rocky...a retired has-been driver brought back for another chance. His acting & writing were great in the movie. Sly gets criticized often for his acting & roles, but does he make the great action movies to win oscars...? No, he does them for his fans. That's why the fans love him so much. Great work Sly, & I can't wait to see 'Avenging Angelo' in 2002.

Disappointed by every other race film you've seen? Driven is worse. Bad plot, forced dialogue, and mediocre acting are things you are prepared to accept in a racing picture. What you want in return are bad to the bone driving sequences. There are none of those here. Instead, music video style editing and lame computer effects take center stage in the "action" sequences. The best thing you can say about this movie is that the cars sound great.

This movie was definitely better than I anticipated. There are some fantastic Formula I driving and crash scenes in here, and the sound of engines was fun to hear. I make those statements despite not being much of an auto racing fan, either. If I was, I would have really loved the movie.

Another appealing aspect was that the three lead characters were all good guys. There are annoying "bad people" in the movie but they are all minor characters.

The ending is predictable and, yes, there are some of the typical things you see and hear in many Sylvester Stallone films but not as dumb as many of them (the bad ones, that is.)

Because of the superlative visuals and audio, this is a good movie to see on a nice TV and a nice surround system. Mine are okay but I can imagine what this would look and sound like on something really good. I wish I could appreciate auto racing more, but I liked the film anyway and recommend it to non-racing fans.

Recent Car Flicks have been deadly dull affairs.both Gone in 60 Seconds and The Fast and the Furious bored me so i had little hope for this.However i like Renny Harlin as a Action Director and this is really quite good.Suprisingly this is not a one star show.Though thanks to the Pathetic Warner DVD UK Release you could be forgiven for thinking this wasnt a Stallone Picture But An Estelle Warren movie.Shame on Warner for that.The Action Scenes are great,yes theres CGI but what recent movies are not?Yes its total Fantasy,But thats Fiction.Fun.7 out of 10

The rating of 5 I gave this was because of Estella Warren and her lipstick. That was the highlight, sadly there was precious little of her in it, though I am grateful for the swimsuit scene.

The plot if you can call it that is very standard damaged man baby with loads of talent acts like an entitled brat (think Lewis Hamilton w/o the shameless race baiting) who cannot act right. He rebuffs all attempts to help him grow up. Enter hot girl, she of course is his rivals ex, he flips for her and there is an utterly pointless love triangle. I must stop here and say, despite it being pointless, this s by far the best part of the movie, and the stunning performance of Estella Warrens lipstick was Oscar worthy. Til Schweiger is the other part of the love triangle and I pretty wooden, but at least he is not OTT like the horrible Gina Gershon who in addition to avoiding red lipstick does her usual overacting and then there is Burt Reynolds who is of course the obligatory baddie and he is awful as a character and actor, Sly does a decent job as sly.

Not a good movie ,