Rev 2020 * * * 1/2 Stars

Director: Ant Horasanli
Year: 2020
Rated R
Rating: * * * 1/2 Stars
Cast: Francesco Filice, Sean Ray, Vivica A. Fox

"You gotta take what's yours". According to Rev (my latest review), that refers to stealing cars, stealing girlfriends, and stealing freedom.

Anyway, Rev as a word, refers to a revolution of an engine per minute. Rev the movie, well it's much more than that. As a blueprint about a car thief who becomes an informant in order bust up a vehicle smuggling ring, Rev is a familiar story that's well told. Shot in Toronto, Ontario, Rev doesn't need an extravagant budget, prodigal flash, or Vin Diesel to get my recommendation.

Now Rev does have its share of stylish automobiles. And those automobiles do partake in some good old fashioned drifting. But hey, this isn't a car racing endeavor nor is it a heart-pumping action flick. Rev is more of a glitz and glitter drama, a drug film with a twist, and an underground spectacle with a Mob feel. It begs the question of what if Gone in 60 Seconds or The Fast and the Furious were directed by Iranian Barbet Schroeder.

The cast of Rev is filled with confident unknown actors and the still feisty Vivica A. Fox. You got car booster Mikey played by the stone-faced Francesco Filice. You got Diego Luna lookalike Sean Ray playing criminal mastermind Charlie, and you got slinky Hannah Gordon playing Charlie's squeeze Ava. Their characters are like low key versions of Brian O'Conner, Dominic Toretto, and badass Letty Ortiz ("I don't got friends, I got family").

All in all, Rev is a mature and taut directorial effort from Mr. Ant Horasanli (that's his first name no joke). With a catchy, techno musical score, a moderate pace, and some chic Toronto locales (for once it's not Toronto masquerading as NYC or Chicago), Rev gets a rating of 3 and a half stars. "Rev" it up!

Written by Jesse Burleson