Review: Overdrive

Fast cars, a sexy cast and European locations - could it be another Fast and Furious film? No, it's Overdrive and its standard plotting and ho-hum high-octane action sequences demonstrate why the immensely profitable Fast and Furious franchise is the Rolls Royce of this particular genre. It may not seem like it, but it takes quite a bit of knowhow to package such B-fare into a slick and satisfying joyride and, though Overdrive boasts the writers of 2 Fast 2 Furious and the producer of Taken, its glossiness can't disguise the fact that this is a beyond borderline idiotic and adrenaline-drained actioner.

On the plus side, director Antonio Negret was smart enough to cast Ana de Armas, the Cuban actress whose star has been rising in Hollywood with appearances in War Dogs and the highly anticipated Blade Runner 2049. She is brimming with charisma and is so immensely watchable even though the film itself isn't worthy of her. She plays Stephanie, love interest to Scott Eastwood's Andrew who, along with British half-brother Garrett (Freddie Thorp), steals highly valuable classic cars for a living. Their latest job lands them in hot water with French crime lord Morier (Simon Abkarian), who doesn't appreciate his newly acquired 1937 Bugatti Type 57 being swiped especially after he's just forked over $41 million for it at auction.

To save their lives, the brothers come up with a preposterous proposal for Morier. If he lets them live, then they'll steal a priceless 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO from Max Klemp (Clemens Schick), Morier's German rival who doesn't exactly have the cuddliest of natures. When Morier accepts their deal, Andrew tells Garrett that this will be his last job; he wants to settle down with Stephanie who, by the way, is more than eager to get in on the car-thieving action. Garrett, meanwhile, doesn't think they should stop in their prime but at least finds some distraction with ace pickpocket Devin (Gaia Weiss) as he and Andrew round up a crew of barely qualified minions to help with the heist.

What ensues is pure convoluted tripe. Overdrive ticks all the boxes and does what it needs to do, and yet it feels like it barely does anything. The same goes for Eastwood, who has yet to show anything else in his repertoire other than cocky jerk. At least he's not as instantly forgettable as Thorp, who delivers a master class in vapidity. As for the alleged action sequences, they are dull and enervating, making Overdrive one of the most unexciting action films in recent memory.

Overdrive

Directed by: Antonio Negret

Written by: Michael Brandt, Derek Haas

Starring: Scott Eastwood, Freddie Thorp, Ana de Armas, Gaia Weiss, Clemens Schick, Simon Abkarian