Watch The Hire: Beat the Devil

The Hire: Beat the Devil is a short film directed by Tony Scott that was initially released in 2002 as part of BMW's The Hire series of online advertisements. It stars Clive Owen as the Driver, Gary Oldman as the Devil and James Brown as himself. The film is a humorous mix of action and suspense that centers around a race between the two lead characters.

The story follows the Driver, who is hired by a wealthy American businessman to transport a mysterious package from Rome, Italy to a remote location in Germany. The Driver is given strict instructions to deliver the package within a specific timeframe, and is promised a large sum of money if he is successful. The catch is that the businessman has also hired the Devil, a charismatic and devilish character who is determined to beat the Driver to the destination and claim the package for himself.

From the moment the two characters are introduced, it is clear that they are polar opposites. The Driver is stoic, calm and collected, while the Devil is wild, unpredictable and flamboyant. Their differences are highlighted throughout the film, as they engage in a cat-and-mouse game of one-upmanship, using all manner of vehicles and tactics to stay ahead of each other.

One of the film's standout moments comes early on, when the Devil approaches the Driver disguised as a hitchhiking nun. The scene is played for laughs, with Oldman delivering a hilariously over-the-top performance, but it also serves to establish the Devil as a formidable opponent. This is reinforced later on, when he reveals that he has a team of skilled drivers working for him, and proceeds to stage an elaborate chase sequence involving dozens of cars.

As the race progresses, the stakes are raised and the tension mounts. The Driver is faced with a series of obstacles and challenges, from dodging police roadblocks to outrunning a helicopter. Meanwhile, the Devil's tactics become increasingly aggressive and dangerous, culminating in a high-speed collision that leaves both vehicles in ruins.

Throughout all of this, Clive Owen delivers a solid performance as the stoic and unflappable Driver. He embodies the classic action hero archetype, with a talent for driving that borders on superhuman. Meanwhile, Gary Oldman steals the show as the flamboyant and unhinged Devil. He clearly relishes the opportunity to play a character who is so over-the-top, and delivers some of the film's best lines with gusto.

In addition to the two lead actors, the film also features a memorable cameo from the "Godfather of Soul" himself, James Brown. Brown plays himself, and appears at a critical moment in the story to offer some words of encouragement to the Driver. While his screen time is brief, Brown's appearance adds an extra layer of fun to an already entertaining film.

Overall, The Hire: Beat the Devil is a fun and action-packed short film that delivers on all fronts. The story is engaging, the performances are strong, and the action sequences are thrilling. At just over ten minutes in length, it's the perfect length for a quick burst of adrenaline-fueled entertainment. Whether you're a fan of classic action films, or just enjoy a good race, this film is definitely worth checking out.