Movie Review: Need for Speed

Need for Speed
DreamWorks SKG, Reliance Entertainment, Electronic Arts, Bandito Brothers, USA, UK, France, Philippines, 2014.

Based on the "Need For Speed" racing video game series.

I feel the need...the need for speed!

Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul) is a rising racer but struggling with money troubles. He earns extra bucks in illegal street races. Rich boy Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper) hires Tobey and his mechanics to build a Ford Mustang Shelby. Mr. Ingram's (Stevie Ray Dallimore) buying agent Julia Maddon (Imogen Poots) wants Tobey to show if the car is really as fast as Tobey says it is. However Dino is annoyed that Tobey is better driver than he, so he challenges Tobey. 

Tobey Marshall

Dino Brewster

Mr. Ingram and Julia Maddon

In the following race with Koenigsegg Agera super cars Dino pushes Tobey's friend Little Pete (Harrison Gilbertson) off the road and Pete dies. Dino escapes and Tobey goes to jail for two years. Meanwhile Dino also steals Tobey's girlfriend Anita (Dakota Johnson). Tobey wants revenge and also to clear his name.

Anita

Ford Mustang Shelby

Monarch

Mystical millionaire Monarch (Michael Keaton), who is kind of homage to the DJ from "Vanishing Point", is arranging De Leon Race for the best street racers. Tobey makes a deal with Mr. Ingram so he can borrow the Mustang. But he needs also an invitation to the race, so he must gain attention and drive across the USA in 45 hours while evading cops. Julia comes along. First their cooperation has a rough start, but not surprisingly they begin to like each other. Tobey's pals pilot Benny Jackson (Scott Mescudi a.k.a Kid Cudi) and mechanics Finn (Rami Malek) and Joe (Ramon Rodriguez) work as their support team.

Benny 'Maverick' Jackson

Finn and Joe

Guys playing Need for Speed (What else?)

Then Tobey hits the pedal to the metal until the foot almost goes through the car floor.

Cockpit views give video game style appearance

The plot goes roughly the video game career mode: in the first races older muscle cars are used, later the cars get more powerful and expensive. Although the story is basically the plot of "200 M.P.H." on steroids the racing scenes and crazy stunts make it worthwhile. Absurd plot and video game logic will deter those looking for intelligent entertainment but as a popcorn racing movie it works well. There is a bit cheesy drama and hit-or-miss jokes, but the main point is the exciting driving scenes with expensive supercars. Also Aaron Paul's and Imogen Poots' acting saves a lot. It is also a decent video game movie.

Rating: Good

Starring: Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Imogen Poots, Scott Mescudi, Rami Malek, Ramon Rodriguez, Harrison Gilbertson, Dakota Johnson, Stevie Ray Dallimore, Michael Keaton, Alan Pflueger, Brian L. Keaulana, Logan Holladay, Carmela Zumbado, Jalil Jay Lynch, Nick Chinlund, Chad Randall, Buddy Joe Hooker, Rich Rutherford, Tony Brakohiapa, Brent Fletcher, Paul Dallenbach, Kanin Howell, Michael Rose, Beth Waugh, E. Roger Mitchell, Antoni Corone, Frank Brennan, Tara Jones, Han Soto, Jill Jane Clements, Rick Shuster, John Gatins, Kerry Gatins, Adora Dei, Charles Black, Tierre Turner, Michael C. Smith, Tim Gilbert, Mike Massa, John Meier, Thomas Rosales Jr., Jacki Hill, Chloe Warren, Chelsea Small
Director: Scott Waugh