Need For Speed (2014 English)

Stuntmen turning directors is apparently not an alien concept in Hollywood (http://www.hollywoodstuntcoordinator.com/blog-post/stuntmen-turning-directors-in-hollywood/).  The Waugh family has a notable mention with father and sons both finding mention in this article.  Closer home, our very own Veeru Devgn has also directed Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999) after choreographing stunts for nearly 150 movies.

The junior-most of the Waugh Family – Scott – was obviously enamoured by Need For Speed more than anyone else (surprisingly so) to be confident enough to go behind the lens and make a full length feature out of it.  I can only say that his passion of stunt / action choreography coupled with that for the NFS franchise shows clearly over a slightly stretched 2 hours and 10 minutes that NFS keeps you glued to your seat.

Clearly, the Unique Selling Proposition of NFS lies in chase sequences like these - http://www.imdb.com/video/epk/vi653241113/.  The one in the link comes a little over halfway through the movie.  The first one is your standard street race sequence on the lines of what you would have seen in Fast and The Furious.  The rev of the engines and the race only builds you up for the story that follows.

Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul – Jessie from Breaking Bad) was a promising racer from Mt. Kisco in upstate New York.  He knows his cars thanks to his father who has recently passed away.  Tobey’s ex-girlfriend Anita (Dakota Johnson) is now engaged to be married to his life-time race rival - Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper).  Only Dino has moved out of Mt. Kisco and is a celebrated racer today.

The narration sets Tobey us as a quiet man and a better driver than Dino.  To prove a point, he takes up Dino’s challenge for a race.  Anita’s brother Pete (Harrison Gilbertson) – an aspiring driver – also joins.  Dino bumps Pete in a desperate attempt to win.  A bump that leads to Pete’s death. Tobey is charged with rash driving and manslaughter and jailed for 2 years.  He returns with a sole purpose of setting the record straight.

The sequence that shows Pete’s car flying off the bridge after a few flips is just superbly shot.  Full credit to cinematographer Shane Hurlbut on that count.  He brings the entire experience of being in a car that is completely out of control and flipping a few times over itself to life – from the driver’s seat.

However, NFS falls short woefully in terms of dialogue and script.  They are both corny as ever and very uninspiring.  However, the acting makes an attempt to save the day.  Aaron Paul is calm and collected.  Apparently he doesn’t like movies based on video games.  Well Aaron – you could have fooled me on that count.

I have always felt that Dominic Cooper has not got his due.  His performance in The Devil’s Double was brilliant – one that he will always have to live in the shadow of.  As Dino, he is very good but not at his best.  I felt Imogen Poots was much more than the hot blonde babe who knows everything about cars.  She can act for sure.  Was she brilliant? Maybe not.  But there is potential for sure.

To sum it up, NFS is meant for all you car geeks out there and those who are in desperate need for some really great car chase sequences.  This is as good as it gets on that count.  Other than that, there is little or nothing to look forward to.  Must watch on a Big Screen – preferably IMAX.  6.5 on 10.

Watch the trailer at http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi826058777/?ref_=tt_ov_vi