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Need for Speed (film)

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Need for Speed
Theatrical release poster
Directed byScott Waugh
Screenplay byGeorge Gatins
Story byGeorge Gatins
John Gatins
Produced byJohn Gatins
Patrick O'Brien
Mark Sourian
StarringAaron Paul
Dominic Cooper
Imogen Poots
Ramón Rodríguez
Michael Keaton
CinematographyShane Hurlbut
Edited byPaul Rubell
Scott Waugh
Music byNathan Furst
Production
companies
Distributed byWalt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures
Release dates
  • March 12, 2014 (2014-03-12) (UK)
  • March 14, 2014 (2014-03-14)
Running time
130 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$66 million[2]
Box office$63,408,000[3]

Need for Speed is an 2014 American action film directed by Scott Waugh, written by George Gatins and John Gatins and produced by DreamWorks Pictures. It is an adaptation of the Need for Speed series of video games by Electronic Arts. It stars Aaron Paul as street racer Tobey Marshall who sets off to race cross-country, as a way of avenging his friend's death from the hands of a rival racer. The film was released by Touchstone Pictures on March 14, 2014 in 3D, IMAX, and conventional 2D theaters.

Plot

Tobey Marshall is a former race car driver who owns an upstate New York garage, where he and his friends tune performance cars. Struggling to make ends meet, he and his crew participate in street races after hours. One day, Dino, Tobey's former rival, arrives at his garage with a Shelby Mustang that Carroll Shelby had worked on before his death. Dino wants Tobey and his crew to complete the project in exchange for 25% of the car's estimated selling price of $2 million. Despite objections from the crew, Tobey agrees to the deal.

Upon completion of the project, the Shelby Mustang is put up for auction at a party. Tobey and Dino meet Julia, an Englishwoman who agrees to pay $3 million if the car can go over 230 mph, as Tobey claims. The next morning at a nearby track, Tobey gets the Mustang to reach 234 mph, prompting Julia to purchase it for $2.7 million. Later, Dino challenges Tobey and his partner Little Pete to race his father's three illegally imported Koenigsegg Ageras from his mansion to a bridge over the interstate. If Tobey wins, he gets Dino's 75% of the Mustang deal; if he loses, he gives up his 25%. During the race, Dino tags Little Pete's car, sending it flipping down a ravine before bursting into flames. Dino disappears from the scene, and Tobey is sent to jail for involuntary manslaughter, as there is no evidence pointing to Dino's involvement.

Two years later, Tobey is released on parole and he sets out to avenge Little Pete's death. He is able to borrow the Shelby Mustang he had worked on. Tobey and Julia set to enter the De Leon, a winner-take-all race organized by local DJ Monarch; for this, they have to reach San Francisco before the race starts in two days. The Shelby Mustang causes an interstate chase with police and other racers, as Dino offers his Lamborghini to anyone who can stop Tobey from entering the race. In Utah, the Shelby Mustang is forced off-road by a couple of trucks that surround it by a cliff, but Maverick, a member of Tobey's crew, appears in a helicopter and tows the Shelby Mustang mid-air to the Bonneville Salt Flats, where Tobey's crew awaits them. Tobey and Julia manage to arrive in San Francisco to register for the race, but Julia is hospitalized after a truck driven by one of Dino's henchmen broadsides the Shelby Mustang. Anita, Dino's girlfriend and Little Pete's sister, has become aware of Dino's plans. She searches his computer and discovers the Koenigsegg that killed Little Pete is stored in a local warehouse. Anita gives Tobey the location of the car, as well as her engagement ring from Dino.

The next morning, Tobey surprised Dino by not only showing up in the Koenigsegg, but also by giving him Anita's ring. Following a grueling race that sees several cars eliminated, Tobey and Dino race side-by-side along the Pacific Coast Highway. Dino attempts to push Tobey off the road, but Tobey slams the brakes, causing Dino's car to crash and catch fire. Tobey sees the finish line, but turns around to pull Dino from the flames. Both he and Dino are arrested by the California Highway Patrol. With the missing Koenigsegg found, Dino is sent to jail for Little Pete's death. Tobey serves six months for illegal street racing before he is once again released, and reunites with Julia.

Cast

Development

By July 2012, DreamWorks Studios was committed to a film based on the Need for Speed series of video games by Electronic Arts, initially with a release date of February 7, 2014, and later March 14, 2014.[11] Brothers George and John Gatins had written a script being shopped to studios by April of that year.[12] Taylor Kitsch was offered the lead role in July 2012,[13] though the role eventually went to Aaron Paul that October.[4] Paul had originally auditioned for the role of Dino Brewster, although director Scott Waugh and DreamWorks head Steven Spielberg decided against that and cast him as the lead.[14] That same month, Imogen Poots was cast as the female lead.[6] In January 2013, Dominic Cooper, Kid Cudi, Ramón Rodríguez, Rami Malek and Harrison Gilbertson were cast in the film.[15] Michael Keaton was cast in February of 2013.[9]

Production

Principal photography began in Macon, Georgia, in mid-April 2013.[16] Other filming locations include Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, on May 12, 2013,[17] the 13th Street Bridge in Columbus, Georgia, and Campus Martius in Detroit, Michigan, beginning on June 1, 2013.[18][19]

For the film's chase sequences, the filmmakers decided against the use of computer-generated imagery, instead employing practical effects, which required the cast to receive extensive driving lessons.[14]

Release

On September 25, 2013, Disney released the film's trailer[20] on iTunes.[21] Disney announced the film's post-conversion to 3D on February 5, 2014.[22]

Need for Speed held its world premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre on March 7, 2014.[23] The film was released by Touchstone Pictures on March 14, 2014 in 3D, IMAX, and conventional 2D theaters.

Reception

Box office

Need for Speed has earned $17,844,939 in North America, and $45,600,000 in other countries as of March 17, for a worldwide total of $63,444,939.[3] On the opening day of its wide release, Need for Speed earned $6.6 million.[24] The film finished in third place over the traditional three-day weekend (Friday-to-Sunday) with $17.8 million.[25][26]

Critical response

The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reports that 24% of critics gave the film a positive review based on 139 reviews, with an average score of 4.3/10; the site's consensus states: "With stock characters and a preposterous plot, this noisily diverting video game adaptation fulfills a Need for Speed and little else."[27] On Metacritic, it holds a 40/100 based on 37 reviews, indicating mixed or average reviews.[28]

Michael Phillips of Chicago Tribune gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, remarking that "Paul has talent, though the actor's idea of simmering intensity in the context of Need for Speed comes off more like serial killer in the making. Cooper, by contrast, seems to be having some fun playing a dashing, dastardly, sexy beast." Philips added, "At its occasional best, the thrills in the film recall the delirious fun of the Fast & Furious franchise."[29] Betsy Sharkey of Los Angeles Times also felt similarly, writing "In trying for the vicarious varoom of the street-racing video game that inspired it, and no doubt dreaming of Fast success, Speed clocks in at a long two-plus hours and falls painfully short."[30] A.O. Scott of The New York Times gave a more positive review, praising the film's car chase sequences, while declaring the overall film "an energetic, unpretentious B movie".[31]

Despite an unimpressive critical response, the film has garnered praise from moviegoers; on Rotten Tomatoes, 69% of users gave the film a positive review, while it also holds a 7.3 out of 10 on Metacritic.

References

  1. ^ "Need for Speed (12A)". Entertainment One. British Board of Film Classification. February 11, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  2. ^ McClintock, Pamela (October 17, 2013). "DreamWorks' Stacey Snider Reveals How Studio Slimmed Down to Stay Alive". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 9, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Need for Speed (2014)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "'Breaking Bad' Star Aaron Paul Lands DreamWorks' 'Need for Speed'". The Hollywood Reporter. October 15, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  5. ^ Sneider, Jeff (November 6, 2012). "Dominic Cooper negotiating 'Need for Speed'". Variety. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  6. ^ a b Siegel, Tatiana; Kit, Borys (October 31, 2012). "Imogen Poots to Star in DreamWorks' 'Need for Speed'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c Kit, Boris (January 14, 2013). "Kid Cudi Joining Aaron Paul in 'Need for Speed'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  8. ^ "The Need for Speed Trailer is Here!". Comingsoon.net. September 25, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
  9. ^ a b Kit, Borys (February 5, 2013). "Michael Keaton Joins DreamWorks' 'Need for Speed' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  10. ^ "Need for Speed". Comingsoon.net. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  11. ^ "Disney Sets 'Need For Speed' Release For Feb. 7, 2014". Deadline.com. July 10, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  12. ^ Graser, Marc (April 12, 2012). "EA feeling the 'Need for Speed' movie". Variety. Retrieved August 4, 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ MacKenzie, Carina Adly (July 19, 2012). "Taylor Kitsch offered 'Need For Speed' lead role: Can he launch the racing film franchise?". Zap2it.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2014. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; July 22, 2012 suggested (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b Ito, Robert (March 5, 2014). "Hitting High Velocity Without the Meth". The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  15. ^ Fleming, Mike, Jr. (January 14, 2013). "DreamWorks Revs 'Need For Speed'; Rap Producer Scott 'Kid Cudi' Mescudi Cast". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 19, 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ McAllister, Cameron (March 20, 2013). "Scott Waugh's "Need for Speed" to film in Macon". Reel Georgia. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  17. ^ "Filming Locations in NYC, L.A., Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit & more including How To Catch A Monster, Divergent, The Walking Dead, Paranoia, & Girls". OnLocationVacations.com. May 12, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  18. ^ Sorich, Sonya (May 29, 2013). "'Need for Speed' filming: Temporary closure of 13th Street Bridge likely to impact thousands". Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
  19. ^ "Filming Locations in NYC, L.A., Atlanta, Detroit & more including The Newsroom, Spider-Man 2, Castle, & Anchorman 2". OnLocationVacations.com. April 24, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  20. ^ "Need for Speed Trailer". March 16, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2013.
  21. ^ Ford, Rebecca (September 25, 2013). "First 'Need for Speed' Trailer: Aaron Paul Is Out for Revenge". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  22. ^ "'Need For Speed' Getting 3D Release". Deadline.com. February 5, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  23. ^ Bacardi, Francesca (March 7, 2014). "Aaron Paul's Car Overheats at 'Need for Speed' Premiere (VIDEO)". Variety. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  24. ^ McClintock, Pamela (March 15, 2014). "Box Office: 'Need for Speed' Wins Friday, But Braces for Weekend Loss to 'Peabody'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  25. ^ Khatchatourian, Maane (March 16, 2014). "Box Office: 'Mr. Peabody and Sherman' Bites Into Top Spot, 'Need for Speed' in Third". Variety. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  26. ^ Mendelson, Scott (March 16, 2014). "Weekend Box Office: 'Veronica Mars' Earns $2M, 'Mr. Peabody And Sherman' Tops". Forbes. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  27. ^ "Need for Speed (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  28. ^ "Need for Speed". Metacritic. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  29. ^ Phillips, Michael (March 13, 2014). "REVIEW: 'Need for Speed'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  30. ^ Sharkey, Betsy (March 13, 2014). "Review: Next to 'Fast & Furious,' 'Need for Speed' stalls out". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
  31. ^ Scott, A.O. (March 13, 2014). "Fast Cars, and Racing for Revenge". The New York Times. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
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