Motorsport movies have a lousy track record, so it's not surprising that Driven joins the ranks of previous race-car clunkers like Grand Prix, Le Mans, Bobby Deerfield, and Days of Thunder. To varying degrees, all of these films offer spectacular racing footage (especially Le Mans), but what is surprising is that Driven was written by its star and coproducer Sylvester Stallone, who shows virtually no sign of the talent that created Rocky over a quarter-century earlier. Under the tepid direction of Renny Harlin, this superficial speedfest fulfills its primary obligation--the racing sequences are adequately exciting, despite the Cuisinart editing and a glaring lack of kinetic continuity. But whenever this adrenaline-pumped drama gets off the track, well... let's just say it's a hybrid of Top Gun and Days of Thunder, but makes those Tom Cruise vehicles look masterful by comparison.

Driven

Driven sometimes loses track of what its true purpose is, but considering that the real purpose seems to be the theme of racing, romance and consequences from both, one might think they are in for a treat. The upside is that the film is great eye candy, with stellar cinematography involving a lot of races and wrecks that introduce a high dose of varying camera angles and slow motion shots.

The downside would simply be the fact that it really does not have a lot going on with the agenda involving the championship race finale. Most of the film plays Russian roulette with characters that are older and have good and bad experiences to reflect upon, while the rookie driver named Jimmy Bly realizes he may be in over his head. For the fact Driven is largely a character film, the dialogue and faltered romances tend to become a bit tedious. Somehow they keep things interesting enough that even if nobody cares, they get some great racing action now and again to add to the drama!

Sylvester Stallone is typecast because...he is Sylvester Stallone, and although the addition of Burt Reynolds to the cast helped add some flair, it tends to be kiddish when it should be intense. Still, Driven keeps a good flow going and adds enough bizarre and even ridiculous stunts in the final race to finish strong.

Driven men, not cars

I first saw this movie on VHS, which did not contain the deleted scenes. It was interesting, but seemed overdone. When I got it on DVD and watched the deleted scenes, Stallone's story became clear: It's a movie about driven men, not cars.

Much like Get Carter and Connagher, this is a movie for mature audiences - mature enough to understand such virtues as duty and honor even though we find we have failed to attain them.

But since we all know more about race cars than about manliness, is it any wonder this movie receives such low ratings? In our time, maturity itself barely rates 1 star.

Hokey but great action

Rocky meets Indy Cars. Stallone mumbles alot. The movie is predictible and the chase scene thru the streets is next to impossible unless in a CGI world. The action is good and it is fun to see a modern movie with champ cars in it. It is watchable especially if you are an Indy car fan. You should be willing to throw salt over your shoulder along with your realism button and just watch it to see the cars and action.