Review of Need for Speed (2014) by Paul O — 23 Aug 2014

Need for Speed is Aaron Paul's (Jesse Breaking Bad) First major starring role and it shows. The movie stats slow with a predictable cookie cutter story...dad dies they used to run garage together now son has debts to pay.

Could have been better character/plot development at beginning. Eventually the movie gains traction (pun intended). Great race scenes through town, and on highway. Beautiful Shelby Ford Mustang, beautiful British blonde (played by Imogen Poots). Antagonist bad guy Dino built into demon.

Suspense and action scenes get your heart racing as blood pumps through your veins like fuel into the well oiled pistons of these high horsepower (200+ mph) well crafted mostly European racing machines.

Michael Keaton plays a minor supporting role in the movie. Other supporting cast members are credible and add to the color of the movie. Dominic Cooper as Dino, Rami Malek, and Ramon Rodriguez (Gang Related) are the 3 worth mentioning otherwise.

The racing/crash/chase scenes are spectacular and the reason we watch this movie. That is also the reason I gave it 3 stars. The use of aerial machines blends well with their four wheeled counterparts.

There is one scene where they refuel on the highway and the gas cap hatch opens toward front of car to help play scene out...would be a bad design like suicide doors...never seen that on any car ever made...other than that pretty credible movie.

No doubt there will be a Need for Speed 2 esp since Paul Walker passed away (Fast and Furious). Fortunately Aaron Paul will be cast in other movies with better producers, writers, directors. Meanwhile we'll have to watch him in these cookie cutter wannabe F&Furious type movies.