NEED FOR SPEED – The Review

Aaron Paul is used to sitting shotgun in star driven vehicles. Outside of BREAKING BAD, Paul played supporting roles in 2009’s remake of LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT and 2012’s indie drama SMASHED. However, he’s never had the opportunity to lead a project of his own. NEED FOR SPEED finally gives the actor the opportunity to take the reigns. Although he is certainly part of the problem, there are actually plenty of issues holding this film back. Speed isn’t the only thing this film needs.

After serving time for a false conviction of vehicular manslaughter involving a close friend, Aaron Paul’s character Tobey Marshall sets out on a race across country to prove his innocence and to bring the real culprit (Dominic Cooper) to justice. Cops and rival racers both have it out for our hero and his team of mechanics that are in tow to help him along the way. The final destination is an elite race along the California coast hosted by a wealthy and mysterious internet celebrity that goes by the name “Monarch” (Michael Keaton).

I must admit to not having watched a single episode of BREAKING BAD. As the show has increased in popularity, a rabid cult of Aaron Paul worshipping fans has sprouted up around me to which I haven’t quite conformed. Having finally witnessed his acting chops at work, I’m not sure if I want to join the masses just yet. It seems that he’s attempting to evoke some form of James Dean in REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE in his quiet but tough, leather jacket wearing performance in NEED FOR SPEED. He’s a man of few words that seems guided by his emotions much like Dean in the iconic film. Thankfully Paul isn’t given any long monologues in SPEED or the already lengthy film would be even more exhausting. Each sentence he delivers seems drawn-out and spoken in the same low and grizzled tone. It feels like minutes pass while he attempts to finish one sentence. Thankfully the rest of the cast does much better. Dominic Cooper plays a sleazy businessman/ car-racer that you love to hate. He’s appropriately intimidating even if his real-life British accent makes for some ‘huh’ moments when he attempts some form of Yankee accent.

The star of course is  . . . No, not the fast cars, but veteran scene-stealer Michael Keaton. While he mainly serves as a plot device to get our hero and villain to race against one another in the finale, the energy he puts into the loudmouth millionaire makes him roar even louder than the sports cars on-screen.  His character comes across as a hybrid of Rush Limbaugh and Charlie Sheen – which in itself would be a lot scarier if it weren’t for the fact that it’s Michael Keaton. I’m not one to endorse needless sequels to average films, but if the producers were to craft a sequel with the plot of the 1975 film DEATH RACE 2000 and have Keaton act as the announcer for the cross-country race, I would probably watch that film on an endless loop.

What should have been an easy, straightforward ride feels like its constantly changing lanes due to a lack of consistency. The film begins with covers of classic songs like “Fortunate Son” and “All Along The Watchtower,” then transitions into a completely misplaced dramatic score, before finally capping it all off with a modern rap song. Conflicting musical cues are just one glaring example of how confused the film seems to be. In terms of tone, at times it wants to be more of a light and fun car film like SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT and DIRTY MARY, CRAZY LARRY. A goofy extended chase through the streets of Detroit midway through the film is a prime example of this. While other times it aims to be more of a pseudo-dramatic film about revenge and redemption. During these scenes the score swells with sweeping music that would be more fitting in a period piece or some feel-good sports drama.

Catching nods to 60s and 70s car films will be appreciated by some of the older gear heads. Steve McQueen’s classic chase in BULLITT can be seen early on during a sequence at a drive-in; because apparently that’s still the hot spot to be on a Friday night in 2014 (sigh). Yet this slice of nostalgia is served alongside a heavy dose of melodrama that doesn’t necessarily mix well. A loose adaptation of a video game – which seems really just by name only – should never feel this confused. With a title like NEED FOR SPEED, one would expect a lean, mean, and swift film that knows exactly what it is. The destination may be pretty clear once the story kicks into gear, but NEED FOR SPEED doesn’t know the best way to get there.

Movie: 2.5 out of 5

Michael Keaton in the movie: 4 out of 5

Photos: Melinda Sue Gordon ©2014 DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC. All Rights Reserved.