It may be based on a successful video game franchise but director Scott Waugh’s Need for Speed dispenses with digital trickery in favour of practical car chases and in-camera stunts.
The filmmaker himself has cited Steve McQueen’s Bullit, cult hit Vanishing Point and even the action comedy Smokey and the Bandit as inspiration for his new high-octane adventure; it’s not hard to find various nods to such classics throughout the flick.
Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul makes the tricky transition from small to big screen as a street racer fresh from a prison stint after being framed by a wealthy business associate. He soon embarks on a high-stakes cross-country race to avenge the death of his friend and former partner.
It’s easy to enjoy Need for Speed’s campy acting, laughable script and heavy handed exposition as a sense of camaraderie and good natured fun overshadow the film’s weaker moments. The movie boasts a talented cast of young and charismatic performers including Dominic Cooper, Imogen Poots and the underrated Rami Malek, who steals the show in a memorable scene that sees him strip his way out of a corporate office.
But, the real stars of this ‘vehicle’ are the cars themselves. The production crew amasses an assortment of the most luxurious sports cars one can think of and proceeds to do what every audience member who goes to see the film wants — race the hell out of them. It may not be sophisticated but the reverent homage is palpable.
