Drive Hard Blu-ray Review

"Drive Hard" demonstrates impressive technical prowess in its Blu-ray presentation, featuring a 1080p AVC-encoded transfer that exemplifies crystal-clear digital cinematography. Shot on Red by Tony O'Loughlan, the film boasts crisp and well-defined edges, abundant detail, and vibrant colors throughout. The high definition vividly captures the Australian Gold Coast, making it invitingly picturesque. The absence of noise or other artifacts contributes to the overall clarity, enhancing the viewing experience.

The film benefits from an average bitrate of 26.20 Mbps, contributing to the superior image quality, and this is particularly evident given its absence of extras on the disc. The 1.78:1 aspect ratio presentation complements the pristine HD look, with sharp details in closeups that effectively highlight textures such as wrinkles and individual hairs. While colors are intense and skin tones remain natural, a stylistic choice by the director imbues the entire image with a pervasive yellowish-orange tint. This choice tends to mute some of the visual brilliance, preventing the picture from fully popping off the screen. Nonetheless, black levels are deep and inky, which would be more notable if there were more darkly lit scenes. The video presentation remains free of issues such as banding, aliasing, or bad crush, ensuring a solid performance overall.

The audio presentation of "Drive Hard" on Blu-ray, encoded in DTS-HD MA 5.1, offers a commendable experience for the genre. The soundtrack excels in delivering the necessary intensity for gunfire and vehicular impacts, providing a satisfying auditory experience. The bass extension contributes a palpable rumble, particularly noticeable when motorcycles and cars engage in high-speed chases. Notably, the shootout sequences resonate with impressive clarity and weight, enhancing the immersive feel of the action.

While subtlety might be lacking in certain directional aspects, given Trenchard-Smith's reputation for high-octane cinema, the film compensates with its robust sound effects and dynamic range. Dialogue remains consistently clear and free from distortion, a crucial aspect for any action-comedy. The revving engines, tire squeals, and explosive fight scenes utilize the full surround sound speakers effectively, enveloping viewers in the chaotic thrills of the film. Ambient noises, when they do appear, are well integrated, adding to the overall immersion.

The audio mix doesn’t reach the intricate levels of big-budget studio productions, yet it holds its ground remarkably well. Directionality is commendable, enabling viewers to track various elements effortlessly across the soundstage. The soundtrack and score round out the audio presentation, providing a well-rounded auditory experience that complements the film’s high-energy antics. This solid audio performance underscores "Drive Hard" as an engaging and sonically pleasing ride for its audience.

The Blu-ray of "Drive Hard" unfortunately includes no dedicated extras or bonus content. Despite the potential for engaging behind-the-scenes footage or entertaining gag reels given the film’s action-packed and humorous undertones, viewers are left wanting more. Upon startup, the disc plays previews for various other films, adding to the runtime but offering little in terms of value-added content specific to "Drive Hard." These trailers include titles such as "The Numbers Station," "Rage," "Odd Thomas," and "Tomorrow You're Gone," which can be conveniently skipped using the chapter forward button. Once bypassed, these trailers remain inaccessible.

Extras included in this disc:

The Numbers Station: Trailer
Rage: Trailer
Odd Thomas: Trailer
Tomorrow You're Gone: Trailer

"Drive Hard" leverages the on-screen charisma of John Cusack and Thomas Jane, despite leaning on well-trodden genre clichés. The narrative focuses on Cusack's Simon Keller, a skilled American thief, and Jane's Peter Roberts, a retired race car driver turned driving instructor. Their forced partnership sets off when Keller, under the pretense of needing driving lessons, involves Roberts in a heist of $9 million in bearer bonds from the International Bank & Trust. Keller's character adds complexity but lacks the darkly humorous edge that made Cusack's Martin Blank in "Grosse Point Blank" memorable. Jane's portrayal of Roberts strikes a balance between the mundane and the thrilling, depicting well the transition from a family man to being roped back into high-speed chases and criminal endeavors.

Director Brian Trenchard-Smith, known for his finesse in "Ozsploitation," executes the film with a notably low-budget feel yet maintains an engaging dynamic between Cusack and Jane. The chemistry between the leads is palpable, with their characters' interplay delivering some of the film's best moments. The narrative pivots around themes of lost identities and forced moral confrontations, as Roberts confronts his dormant desire for his former exhilarating life and Keller embodies an unapologetic lawbreaker who challenges societal norms. Despite these character complexities, the plot follows a predictable trajectory with few surprises.

The action sequences in "Drive Hard" are appropriately paced but lack the intensity seen in larger Hollywood productions. Trenchard-Smith integrates the car chases and stunts prudently, acknowledging the impossibility of competing with franchises like "Fast & Furious." Supporting characters, including an opportunistic gas station operator and a suspicious elderly couple, add color but occasionally veer into melodramatic territory. The law enforcement subplot, featuring corrupt local police clashing with diligent federal agents, adds another layer of intrigue but does little to elevate the overall predictability. Despite these shortcomings, "Drive Hard" offers enjoyable character dynamics against an Australian backdrop.

"Drive Hard" is a mixed bag of entertainment, featuring John Cusack and Thomas Jane in leading roles. Their chemistry is undeniably one of the film's strong points, breathing life into this car chase action-comedy. Craig Trenchard-Smith’s direction provides a unique spin on what could otherwise be a formulaic crime film, filled with details that add some level of charm. Notably, Cusack’s ever-present e-cigarette, quirky exchanges, and Jane’s comedic struggle to explain his misadventures to his wife bring a distinctive flavor to the narrative.

On the technical front, the Blu-ray presentation excels with commendable video and audio quality. Colors are vibrant, and the sound mix effectively captures the diverse elements of the action sequences. However, it is worth noting that there are no extra features included in this release, which may detract from its overall value for collectors or those seeking behind-the-scenes content.

In conclusion, "Drive Hard" is not without its flaws, presenting a somewhat predictable storyline with comedy that borders on slapstick. However, it compensates with engaging performances and charming details that set it apart. While it may not be a polished production, it holds a certain irresistible quality appreciated by fans of quirky crime films. The Blu-ray is technically sound and certainly warrants a rental for an enjoyable evening.