March 14th saw the release of the newest game inspired dice-roll, Need For Speed, starring the one and only Aaron Paul, who's probably now better known as Jesse Pinkman of Breaking Bad fame. Seeing him in this movie was kind of odd even though he plays a similar role. While I was disappointed that his script didn't include him calling anyone "bitch" one single time, I was also a bit let down that he couldn't find himself a more challenging role. After seeing him in Breaking Bad, we all know that he can act well enough of garner at least an Oscar nod if he played his cards right, and I would say that this character didn't really pander to his talents. The only scene of serious acting was one in which a grief-stricken Aaron, who's character is named Tobey Marshall, laments over a happening that's a spoiler which I'll refrain form ruining.
The rest of the cast is pretty good as well. Supporting actress (and misfortunately named) Imogen Poots has her first big role. Dominic Cooper, who the entire time I was convinced was actually Topher Grace, plays the antagonist whom I would complain was uncharacteristically douchey for no real reason, which is more a fault of bad writing than his. The only other memorable roles would be that of Tobey's energetic crew who are mostly in it for comic relief, not to mention, Michael Keaton is in this and plays a radio host who specializes in illegal street racing coverage and who's mostly there for remind the audience what's happening I guess. His inclusion felt necessary in the film, but in retrospect seems tacked on.
The plot isn't complicated and, as far as adaptations of plotless video games go, I guess I should be impressed. It centers around Marshall, a skilled street racer and mechanic who runs a shop with his couple of friends. Thanks to Cooper, who plays a guy named Dino Brewster, they end up losing the shop and Marshall spends two years in prison. After getting back out, he's confronted with a chance to reclaim his dignity along with $2 million in a high-stakes race on the far side of the country. He's got 48 hours to get there and by leaving the state, he breaks his payroll which ends up being the least of his many infractions.
Of course, I have to dock some points here for being too predictable. From start to finish, it isn't hard to guess what's going to happen next or figuring out the outcome of each sequence before it climaxes. Other than that, it's nothing too original, even as far as racing movies go. Sure it's pulled off well but that alone doesn't make it stand out or interesting.
One place where this film excels is in it's cinematography. Not only does this film showcase very little CG and more stunts than one could count, it's all shot very well. There's nothing that ruins some good action like a camera that seems like it's being held by meth-head and fortunately, we don't see that in Need For Speed. Stunts are shown clearly from multiple angles as if the filmmakers were highly proud of their work and want to show it off. That's how stuntwork should be done, not in barely visible blurriness that obscures what's likely a weakly performed trick. The dynamic camerawork heightens the action and gives a greater sense of speed as opposed to breaking it up with static laziness. Every shot and splicing is tight and important. Technically speaking, it's an impressive film.
Along with that goes it's sheer entertainment factor which receives a high mark here. The movie is, ironically, a bit slow in the beginning and some of the coke-addicts in the audience may get bored. The racing and chase sequences are all invigorating and pulse-pounding. How anyone could lose interest here is beyond me, though I've heard that's one of the major complaints against this film. In this instance, I'd blame the short-attention span of the audience. Sure you could say that going into a movie like Need For Speed, you expect a thrilling roller coaster ride, but don't fault the movie because your preconceived notions didn't line up.
As far as innovating, like I said, the movie wasn't anything completely new. It's highly reminiscent of the early Fast and Furious movies and I'm pretty sure Need For Speed was made in response to said increasingly over-the-top series. With absurd action, machine guns and strapping, sweaty combat sequences, it's safe to say that the string of movies that'd been running since the 90's, now six installments long, had gotten away from it's roots. Need For Speed intended to bring it back to what it's all about. Stunts and racing and it did. It has some stylish moments as well and manages to feel like a little more than just a movie on the screen.
So what the film comes down to is an all-around enjoyable experience. A good pop-corn movie that goes a little above and beyond the typical action flick standard by throwing in some emotion and style.
P:5.5
A: 7.25
C/VQ: 8.75
C/VQ: 8.75
I/S: 7
EV: 8.5
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