Need For Speed Movie Review

As you begin to think of the fastest cars and some of the most insane stunts, keep in mind this isn’t Fast and the Furious. It does however embrace the type of vehicles that calls for the need for speed. They’re not running around for pink slips as you may remember from older installments of the gaming franchise or keep you on the run like its 2012 release, but it is does give you the keys to an action-packed adventure you can only see in Need for Speed.

Need For Speed feeling to have a late 80’s, early 90’s setting evolve around Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad), a small auto shop owner with his small crew: Pete (Harrison Gilbertson), Benny (Scott Mescudi), Finn (Rami Malek) and Joe (Ramon Rodriguez, Gang Related).

Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper), the antagonist, wants a mustang restored by Tobey, which is completed and shortly after sold. But how it was sold that leaves Dino uncomfortable and demanding a race against Tobey. Tobey accepts the challenge with his buddy Pete also deciding to join in.

Dino doesn’t play fair however, running Pete off the road and fleeing, ultimately framing Tobey for the murder of his friend, grand theft auto and vehicular manslaughter.

When Tobey is released, instead of seeking revenge, director Scott Waugh sends the character with his newly forced sidekick Julia Maddon (Imogen Poots) looking for wheels to race against Brewster in competition known as the DeLeon hosted by the Monarch (Michael Keaton, Batman). Believe it or not this is merely the intro; Welcome to Need For Speed.

Knowing that Fast and the Furious is already “the” established competition, Need For Speed continued in another direction; unfortunately it’s more of a U-Turn. The actors felt quite forgettable throughout the story leaving more of a B-Rated performance, even with the cast giving it their all. In comparison to Fast in the Furious, Need for Speed was Tokyo Drift.

Even without the use of weapons, Aaron Paul’s character reminded me too often of Ryan Gosling’s role in Drive; literally from the story setting to the emotionless personality Tobey Marshall portrays. Kid Cudi’s role as Benny is another example of an unneeded cameo. It felt more as if additional footage was required so it was a last minute rush in production to get a guy in a chopper.

Imogen Poots role is a well knowledgeable person when it comes to cars, but loses the momentum when it comes to driving them. It would’ve been nice to see the same “badass”

personality like Michelle Rodriguez character in Fast and the Furious.

Cars on the other hand are not an issue as you get to see the high dollar vehicles in action like the McLaren P1, Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, and more. The driving in the movie appears as authentic as it could be with a bit of Need For Speed gaming elements in place as well.

Even with the setbacks you can’t toss away the film as a whole as the best is truly saved for last. Need For Speed doesn’t steer you wrong, in fact it left me quite entertained, just not as much as I hoped.

Overall Rating:  2.5 / 5