Drive [DVD] [1996]

Mark Dacascos is quite possibly the most underated martial arts actor on the planet - he is amazing, pulling of moves only rivalled by the likes of Donnie Yen. The choreography staged by the Alpha Stunts team is truelly amazing - only the likes of Yuen Wo Ping and Sammo Hung have come up with fights better than these.

Okay, the plot is a little corny, and the whole part with Brittany Murphy as the freaky motel owner seems odd, but Mark and Kadeem Hardison are both good - you can tell there having a laugh when there acting.

Plus, the commentry on the DVD is the funniest I've ever heard - most commentry detracts from the film and is, well, boring. But the leads, Steve Wang and the guy who did the fights (forgot his name, innit) are a right laugh.

Anyway, if your into top quality martial arts action, buy this film, cos there aint many others out there this good.

Mark Dacascos (Toby Wong) and Kadeem Hardison (Malik) are very likeable in the main roles. Dacascos might not be a great thespian (but were you expecting him to be) but he has alot more charm than Seagull or Van Dumb and the main thing is that he is damn good at doing the marshall arts he has mainly been employed for in this role. Kadeem Hardison, could have been irritating in the 'Chris Tucker' style role but he won me over, his often ad-libbed banter his hit and miss, but hits the mark most of the time, has good chemistry with Dacascos and is funniest in his scenes playing off Brittany Murphy. Aah yes Brittany Murphy (Deliverence..great name, great character)who is adorably eccentric as the over-sexed teenage hotelier, who gets caught up in the action .I've noticed not everyone appreciates her fantastic performance (each to their own I guess) but her effervescent turn is one of the major factors that add's to a likeable quirkiness normally lacking in these sort of action films. Thankfully there are enough people here, who appreciate a great young, up and coming actress when they see one (lets hope she gets the deserved break out year her career deserves,which could very well be coming sooner, rather than later)

Likewise that Walter the Einstein Frog programme playing in the background is an inspired bit of sillyness, but the comedy hits the roof with the two hilarious redneck assasins employed to track down Toby Wong. John Pyper Ferguson really delivers the goods with some pin-sharp one liners (e.g 'It does, when I have to suffer the consequences of your flatulence' or 'Bob Marley, quit your wailing'amongst many other gems) as Vic Madison and Tracey Walter is also great as his not too bright, bumbling side-kick Hedgehog. Masaya Kato (Advanced Model) and James Shigeta (Mr Lau) also shine in their limited screen time and are chilling as the Leung Corporations chief villains.

And I've not even come to the main star of the piece..the action itself, which is probably the best kung fu I've seen outside of a Hong Kong movie. The fight scenes are fluid, exhilarating and inventive. It's a shame this film did not see cinema release (ok it had a relatively unknown cast) but it's miles better than most blockbusters I have seen and it has huge replay value for both it's exciting action and quirky comedy. Who'd thought they could say that about a Kung Fu flick, made in America and not starring a certain Mr Chan. Yes the plot is not entirely original and is a little thin, but there is enough there to keep the film ticking over and 'plot' is the least of your worries in a film with as many thrills as this. This is not just a good 'B' Movie, its a great movie, full stop.