Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		3.0

Overdrive Blu-ray Movie Review

More like idling, but it could be worse.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 5, 2017

Overdrive is directed by Antonio Negret, whose credits include a few episodes of the TV series Arrow, and written by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas, both of whom collaborated on 2 Fast 2 Furious. Their collaborative efforts yield, on this film, a fairly pedestrian Action flick with a sprinkling of deeper characterization. It's a movie that's essentially made of genre tropes that have been done before and done better in The Italian Job, Gone in 60 Seconds, and any of the Fast & Furious films. Overdrive doesn't lack spirit or even charms, but there's no mistaking its cardboard-cutout construction and strict adherence to formula. The film, to its credit, does boast some well-made car chase scenes and an agreeable runtime, but it's best enjoyed as a mindless time killer with no expectations of anything beyond.

Andrew and Garret Foster (Scott Eastwood and Freddie Thorp) are two of the world's best car thieves. They've been hired to steal a high-priced car -- any high-priced car -- by the latest lowlife with the cash to throw around to make it happen. But they've overstepped their boundaries this time, stealing a beautiful Bugatti that is one of only two in the world and that has just sold at auction for $41,000,000. It's not the car that is the problem but rather the man (Simon Abkarian) from whom they have stolen it. Turns out he's the worst of the worst, the criminal even the criminals fear. Andrew and Garret are quickly tracked down, beaten, and taken presumably to be killed, but rather than a bullet in their heads, they are offered a second chance when they are tasked with stealing a prize car for the crime lord, a car belonging to another bad actor, Max Klemp (Clemens Schick). With the help of Andrew's girlfriend Stephanie (Ana de Armas) and one of the world's top thieves, Devin (Gaia Weiss), the boys enter the snake pit in hopes of getting close enough to get their hands on the car that will save their lives, so long as they don't die trying.

Overdrive -- or at least parts of it -- are undeniably slick and exciting. The opening car heist really gets the adrenaline flowing. It's fast, intense, and shows some creativity in the sum total of everything that happens within the sequence. Likewise, the film's climax proves suitably exciting: it's fast, it's intense, it brings the story full circle. The movie doesn't want for much more at its bookends. The problem is a middle stretch that's dull and, while not entirely uneventful, too slow to follow-up on the high energy precedent established at the beginning. Overdrive plods through dull characterization and bland plot maneuverings that set up the final act but don't do so with any sense of serious urgency or dramatic novelty. The film is content to build itself around genre-staple ebbs and flows as the characters weasel their way closer to the target and set their plan in motion. Everything in the movie builds towards its endpoint, which most every film does, but it gets there without any attention-grabbing creativity or reason to care for the characters or expect the unexpected.

Indeed, Overdrive's primary shortcoming is its inability to paint its characters with any depth or reason for the audience to be drawn to them. They're certainly a collection of pretty faces -- the film stars some of the hottest young actors working today -- but between empty characterization and flat performances, they're little more than living, breathing props that carry out the action and recite the lines. Scott Eastwood's pedigree is unmatched in the business. He has yet to approach his father's knack for screen acting, and his work in Overdrive seems rote, but he's also a victim of a vacuous script that leaves him charged with shaping a character who amounts to little more than good looks and skill behind the wheel. Much the same can be said of his co-stars, who all look great on the screen and deliver in the clutch during the film's most intense action scenes, but they cannot save the movie from itself. The film does benefit from a selection of beautiful cars (though the average Joe and Jane who drive around in Silverados and Sonatas may not fully appreciate all of the on-screen oohs and aahs when the high-dollar Bugattis and Ferraris appear). The film also thrives on its beautiful French scenery; Europe certainly does play pretty for the camera and always seems a natural fit for car heist films.

Overdrive Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The digitally photographed Overdrive offers a solid HD image, nothing that stands apart in 2017 but it's an honest, enjoyable presentation nevertheless. Details are by-and-large strong, with facial textures, leather jackets, car shine and sheen, and various interior and exterior environments offering, usually, very crisp and accurate texturing on an intimate, complex level. There are moments, and more than a few, when skin in particular takes on a somewhat pasty, flat texturing in contrast, but on the whole the image delivers the sort of detailing one would expect from most of today's releases. Colors are extremely vibrant and impressively saturated, with eye-popping red cars, sparkling natural greens, clothes, and lush French city and countryside locations bursting with a high intensity dazzle. It's a shame the movie wasn't released in UHD to discover what HDR could have done for the image. Black levels could stand to present a hair deeper and skin tones occasionally push a little red. Mild noise is visible in some darker scenes but never can it be said to be anything more than "present." This is a solid overall presentation from Paramount.

Overdrive Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Overdrive is, unsurprisingly, a movie that puts a heavy demand on its soundtrack, and Paramount's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers a robust, satisfying listen. The track is big and expansive. Aggression doesn't overwhelm clarity, but it does take precedence. The track emphasizes its volume and the robust, energetic qualities of its action scenes, whether car engine revs, intense crashes, grinding metal, anything of the sort that puts the ear into action. The stage becomes frequently saturated with motor vehicle chaos, particularly the bookends. Surrounds are never shy and the subwoofer belts out plenty of high energy bass. Atmospheric supports come frequently, whether din at a large gathering party or more reserved but still critical and very fully presented and authentic natural winds and rustles. Dialogue is clear and precise, though the track certainly thrives on its action scene intensity.

Overdrive Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This Blu-ray release of Overdrive contains three featurettes. A UV/iTunes digital copy code is included with purchase.

• The Caper (1080p, 7:17): A discussion of the film's structure and story, locations, weather on the set, stunt work and making various scenes, influences, and more.
• The Crew (1080p, 7:19): A closer look at the key cast in the film and the characters the actors portray.
• The Cars (1080p, 3:34): A short glimpse at the cars that are depicted in the film.

Overdrive Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Overdrive is a perfectly serviceable time killer, and even enjoyable at the bookends. It's a dull, empty film through much of the middle, though, hindered by stiff performances and a bland script. For anyone not averse to a middling little high-speed car heist film, it's certainly passable in the middle-of-the-road realm. Paramount's Blu-ray delivers solid video, high-energy audio, and a trio of featurettes. Worth a rental.