Not all filmmakers have and never-ending budget amount to make a film, but can still entertain in a big way. Take the case of The Driver and indie film coming out on DVD this Tuesday. It’s a movie that takes place in the future and has some similarities to The Walking Dead and other zombie movies. However, this little ditty has heart and a whole lot of smarts. Even if the support actors may need a few more acting lessons, the main characters still put on a good show.
The world has evolved into hordes of zombies that have taken over most of urban and rural America. Small communes in barricaded shelters have been surviving by getting food from nearby deserted towns that are picked up regularly by The Driver (Mark Dacascos) and a few chosen to accompany him. On this one day we see The Driver and Joe (Jeremy Stutes) riding out into a wooded area with Tony in the trunk. Being chosen as the executioner, The Driver is taking him there to face either certain death by his gun or to run and try to avoid the zombies.
Returning back to the commune The Driver is getting backlash from the recent execution he has had to carry out. Finding himself and his family, Sharon (Julie Condra), and daughter Bree (Noelani Dacascos), in danger he tries to avoid any aggressive arguments. When the commune gets raided by a nearby settlement of bandits and zombies, The Driver makes a decision of run with family in search of a place called Haven.
Director Wych Kaosayananda, who does his own cinematography, takes aim at the horror fan that has become a very large base for anything walking dead. His production may look a bit overly high definition and in some cases a bit ordinary, but focusing on his main character leads is a smart move. He does a very good job of pulling the story together, setting up the escape and then it becomes an exciting road movie. I also like his fight choreography that looks ghoulishly realistic.
For his lead actor he casts renowned Mark Dacascos, a very good actor who shined as Zero in the recent John Wick 3 movie. Here as The Driver he has to make his character stand out and he does. As a father who has to save his 12 year old daughter from the constant cannibal undead attacks, no matter what it takes and facing danger at every turn, he’s spot on. Mark has also been an integral part of the TV series “Hawaii Five-0” as Wo Fat in 16 episodes. Of course he’s best known as The Chairman on TV’s “Iron Chef America” series for 247 episodes as well.
But, what a nice surprise to see the excellent acting of Mark’s daughter Noelani Dacascos as Bree. Her character is just turning 13 and has been under the wing of her father and mother who have been fighting off the zombies since she was born. She’s lived a sheltered life in the commune and being the daughter of the only one who has a vehicle gets a lot of envy from her friends. When she has to flee with her father in his car, he has to teach her new tricks to keep her alive. Noelani does a very credible job of showing her character quickly becoming an adult in the role.
The Driver has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains gory zombie attacks, violence, and a lot of zombie killings. Not recommended for those under 14 or immature teens. Available on DVD
FINAL ANALYSIS: A good film for its plot and main character actors. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Mark Dacascos, Julie Condra, Neolani Dacascos, Charlie Ruedpokanon
Directed by: Wych Kaosayananda
Written by: Wych Kaosayananda and Steve Poirier
Genre: Action
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains zombie gore, violence, language
Running Time: 1 hr. 37 min.
Video Release Date: November 26, 2019
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Widescreen, 16×9 Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Lionsgate
Released on: DVD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
