Need for Speed (2014)
Certified: 12
Duration: 130 minutes
Directed by: Scott Waugh
Starring: Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Imogen Poots, Scott Mescudi, Ramon Rodríguez, Rami Malek, Michael Keaton, Dakota Johnson, Harrison Gilbertson
KRS release

The Need for Speed video game franchise was launched in 1994 and, to date, over 20 games have been released, with sales running into millions.

Lately, the franchise saw a decrease in popularity but this was mostly due to the game’s developer changing the ingredients that had made it such a hit in the first place.

However, the film returns to the game’s roots, featuring exotic cars, splendid visuals and plenty of adrenaline.

Whoever is going to see Need for Speed is definitely a car enthusiast and, if he is in The Fast and the Furious vein, all the better. This over-the-top racing movie should do just fine as an interim measure until the next instalment of the franchise which has met some delays due to Paul Walker’s death.

In Need for Speed, Aaron Paul plays Tobey Marshall, a mechanic who is at the moment living in Mount Kisco, a small town in New York. Here he works in the garage he inherited from his father.

Along with his friends Benny (Scott Mescudi), Finn (Rami Malek), Joe (Ramon Rodriguez) and Pete (Harrison Gilbertson), he takes part in illegal racing, with Benny keeping a good eye out not to let the cops in on the races.

Tobey is always head to head with Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper), the top racer at Mount Kisco. The latter is an ex-Indy driver, runs his own business and, to add insult to injury, has stolen Tobey’s girlfriend, Anita (Dakota Johnson), who is also Pete’s sister.

Dino sees talent in Tobey and gives him the chance to put back into shape a rare Mustang in exchange for a future cut from its sale.

Tobey agrees as he needs the money. Julia Maddon (Imogen Poots) comes to see the car on behalf of a buyer.

Dino and Tobey end up racing against each other and another driver who ends up dead. It’s Dino’s fault but he lets Tobey take the blame.

Two years later, Tobey is released from prison and seeks revenge. Monarch (Michael Keaton), a solitary man who is obsessed with racing, has organised a high-stakes race in which Dino will be taking part. So Tobey decides to take part too, with Julia as a passenger.

Video game adaptations tend to be very visual affairs with little story to back them up. But the production team has wisely inserted some background that revolves around honour and revenge.

However, under Scott Waugh’s (Act of Valour) direction, the film’s objective is hard to miss: it is about revving up engines, whizzing cars, loud and cool music and exaggerated car pile-ups.

As in the case of The Fast and the Furious franchise, the emphasis here is not on the plot but on sheer entertainment. Need for Speed will definitely pass the finish line and impress its intended fans with its well-orchestrated and breathtaking sequences that give this film its raison d’être.

Standing out from the cast, even though in a bit role, is Keaton who really hams it up gloriously. He is quite a hoot and plays his role to the hilt.

Paul, fresh from Breaking Bad, is as serious as can be and hits the brake and gas pedals with a vengeance.

Need for Speed has the game fans and fans of souped-up vehicles smiling gleefully as it drives full speed ahead. The only thing missing here are the joysticks which would make the intended audience feel even more at home.