Need for Speed

***
Release Date: March 12th 2014

Fresh from prison, a street racer who was framed by a wealthy business associate joins a cross country race with revenge in mind. His ex-partner, learning of the plan, places a massive bounty on his head as the race begins.

Director: Scott Waugh (Act of Valor)

Starring: Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Imogen Poots, Michael  Keaton

Need for Speed is like the baby brother to the Fast & Furious franchise. Its maturity level is slightly lower than that of the franchise we know so well. NFS hasn't had the best start if it hopes to go the same way, but then again F&F had/has its own flaws.

Breaking Bad's very own Aaron Paul makes his lead debut here. He's Tobey Marshall, falsely accused of killing his friend during a street race when it was rival Dino Brewster (Cooper) who left him in the dust to suffer the consequences. After a two year prison sentence, Tobey is out and looking for revenge.

In order to enter a 'top secret' street race, Tobey needs to attract the attention of the guy behind its organisation. Known as Monarch (Keaton), he sits in what can only be a room in his own house. The police have no idea who he is. He's untraceable (somehow).

Tobey is allowed to use a Mustang for this race that him and his crew helped restore for Brewster before the inevitable imprisonment. The assistant of the businessman who bought the Mustang is along for the ride. Julia (Poots), impresses with her dapper accent (it's real) and knowledge of cars. 'Never judge a girl by her Gucci boots', she says to Tobey.

This leads to one, fatal point. Director Scott Waugh does a grand job with the flashy cars and the jaw-dropping stunts. There's little to no CGI, and the action is tense in most places. The problem comes from elsewhere. The storyline is weak, controlled by a rigid script and heavy dialogue.

Then there's the characters. Cooper's Brewster has jumped out of the definition of cliche and Finn (Rami Malek) is part of a lengthy scene where he quits his job and decides to walk out naked. A little funny, a little strange, a little waste of time. At least we can rely on Aaron Paul's silent lead to keep things interesting.

Overview: If you're a huge car fanatic then this will please. Go in for what you see, not what you hear.