Need for Speed (film) explained

Need for Speed
Director:Scott Waugh
Screenplay:George Gatins
Cinematography:Shane Hurlbut
Music:Nathan Furst
Distributor:Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (Worldwide)
Mister Smith Entertainment[1] (EMEA)
Reliance Distribution[2] (India)
Runtime:130 minutes[3]
Country:United States
India[4]
Language:English
Budget:$66 million
Gross:$203.3 million[5]

Need for Speed is a 2014 action crime film directed and co-edited by Scott Waugh and written by George and John Gatins. It is the film adaptation of the racing video game franchise of the same name by Electronic Arts. The film stars Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Scott Mescudi in his feature film debut, Imogen Poots, Ramón Rodríguez, Rami Malek, and Michael Keaton. It tells the story of street racer Tobey Marshall, who sets off to race cross-country as a way of avenging his friend's death at the hands of a rival racer, Dino Brewster.

Need for Speed was distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through the Touchstone Pictures label on March 14, 2014. After its release, the film received mixed-to-negative reviews, criticizing its story, direction, and the performances of the supporting cast, though some praised Paul's performance. Despite grossing $203.3 million worldwide against a production budget of $66 million, the film was deemed a box-office disappointment in the United States.

Plot

Tobey Marshall is a former race car driver who owns his late father's garage, Marshall Performance Motors, in Mount Kisco, New York, where he and his friends tune performance cars. Struggling to make ends meet, he and his crew participate in street races after hours. After a race, Tobey's former rival Dino Brewster conscripts them into completing the build of a rare Ford Shelby Mustang worked on by the late Carroll Shelby, in exchange for 25% of the car's sales revenue. The completed Mustang is displayed for auction at a party in New York City. Tobey and Dino meet Julia Maddon, an English car broker whose client, Bill Ingram, wants to purchase the car if they can prove it will drive over 230 mph, as Tobey claims. Despite Dino's objections, Tobey takes the Mustang to a local race track and successfully drives it at 234 mph, convincing Ingram to purchase it for $2.7 million.

Enraged by Tobey's disobedience to his objections, Dino challenges Tobey and his friend Pete to a race after Pete flatly tells Dino that everyone knows Tobey is a better driver than him. Dino offers to relinquish his entire share of the Mustang sale if Tobey wins, otherwise Tobey will have to forfeit his share. He challenges them to race with his uncle's three Koenigsegg Agera R cars illegally imported from Europe. On the home stretch, realizing he is about to lose the race, Dino intentionally bumps into Pete's car, sending it down a ravine and killing Pete as it bursts into flames. Dino disappears from the scene, while Tobey is arrested by the police and sentenced to two years in prison for involuntary manslaughter, unable to prove Dino was there.

Upon his release on parole, Tobey sets out to avenge Pete's death. He borrows Ingram's Mustang to enter the De Leon, a winner-takes-all exotic car race organized by the mysterious Monarch, but as a condition, Ingram requires Julia to accompany Tobey while Tobey is driving the Mustang. The pair have 45 hours to reach San Francisco before the race starts. In Detroit, they cause an interstate chase with the Michigan State Police and upload the footage. Dino offers his rare Lamborghini Sesto Elemento to anyone who can stop Tobey entering the race, causing a group of truckers to go after the Mustang as well. Julia retaliates by convincing Monarch of Tobey's innocence, securing his invitation to the De Leon.

In Utah, Tobey and Julia are ambushed by truckers, forcing them off the road. Benny, a member of Tobey's crew, appears in a military helicopter stolen from the National Guard, and carries the Mustang mid-air to Tobey's crew at the Bonneville Salt Flats, getting himself arrested in the process. Tobey and Julia reach San Francisco's Mark Hopkins Hotel in time to register for the race, but on Nob Hill, a tow truck operated by one of Dino's henchmen smashes into the Mustang, wrecking it and injuring Julia. Desperate to get another car for the race, Tobey meets his ex-girlfriend and Pete's sister, Anita, who is now Dino's fiancée. Having discovered Dino's involvement in Pete's death, Anita gives Tobey the location of Dino's hidden Koenigsegg, which Tobey and crew member Joe extract. Tobey meets Julia at a San Francisco hospital, confessing his feelings for her with a kiss and letting her know that he has a "fast" car, and that this is for Pete.

The next morning, Tobey surprises Dino by not only showing up in the red Koenigsegg he drove when Pete was killed, but also giving him Anita's engagement ring, informing Dino that she is through with him.In the ensuing race along the Pacific Coast Highway, the racers and pursuing California Highway Patrol officers crash one-by-one, leaving Tobey and Dino racing side-by-side. Dino attempts to ram Tobey the same way he killed Pete, but Tobey dodges, causing Dino to crash and flip over. Tobey pulls Dino from the wreckage before reaching the finish line, but not without punching Dino to avenge Pete; both are subsequently apprehended by the police, with Dino eventually convicted of the murder of Pete.

178 days later, Tobey is released, and Julia meets him at the prison gates in a 2015 Ford Mustang. The couple drives to a prison in Utah, where Benny is getting released early for good behavior.

Cast

Production

Development

In 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.[6] Brothers George and John Gatins had written a script that was being shipped to studios by April of that year.[7] Taylor Kitsch was offered the lead role in July 2012,[8] though the role eventually went to Aaron Paul that October.[9] 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.[10] The same month, Imogen Poots was cast as the female lead.[11] In January 2013, Dominic Cooper, Scott Mescudi, Ramón Rodríguez, Rami Malek and Harrison Gilbertson were cast in the film.[12] Michael Keaton was cast in February 2013.[13]

Filming

Principal photography began in Macon, Georgia, in mid-April 2013.[14] Other filming locations include Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, on May 12, 2013,[15] the 13th Street Bridge in Columbus, Georgia and Phenix City, Alabama, and Campus Martius in Detroit, Michigan, beginning on June 1, 2013.[16] [17] Other production locations include sections of California's Highway 1 north of Point Arena, the Point Arena Lighthouse, and Highway 253 between Boonville and Ukiah; and also Highway 128, between the town of Navarro and the Navarro Bridge linking Highway 128 North to Highway 1 South to Point Arena.

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 intensive driving lessons.[18] All of the exotic cars seen in the film (with the exception of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Roadster) were kit car replicas.

Soundtrack

Need for Speed
Type:Film score
Artist:Nathan Furst
Released:March 14, 2014
Genre:Film score
Length:01:10:34
Label:Varèse Sarabande
Next Title:Bionicle: Mask of Light
Next Year:2017

The film's soundtrack, composed by Nathan Furst, was released by Varèse Sarabande on March 14, 2014. Interscope Records released a separate EP on April 8, 2014, which featured four songs; "Fortunate Son" and "Back in the Saddle" by Aloe Blacc, "All Along the Watchtower" by Jamie N Commons, and "Hero" by Kid Cudi featuring Skylar Grey. Linkin Park's song "Roads Untraveled" from their 2012 album Living Things was also featured in the film. [19]

Marketing and release

On September 25, 2013, a trailer for the film was released on iTunes.[20] Disney and DreamWorks Pictures announced the film's post-production conversion to 3D on February 5, 2014.[21] Need for Speed held its world premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre on March 7, 2014.[22] The film was released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through the Touchstone Pictures banner on March 14, 2014, in selected 3D, IMAX, 4DX and 2D theaters.[23] It was also released worldwide by Disney, except for certain international territories, where the rights are sold by Mister Smith Entertainment to other industries. Reliance Entertainment had released the film in India, while Entertainment One released it in the United Kingdom.

The video game Need for Speed Rivals released downloadable content (DLC) on March 11, 2014 which added cars that appeared in the movie to the game.[24]

Home media

Need for Speed was released by Touchstone Home Entertainment on Blu-ray Disc, DVD and 3D Blu-ray on August 5, 2014.[25]

Reception

Box office

Need for Speed grossed $43.6 million in North America and $159.7 million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $203.3 million.[5]

In North America, it topped the box office with $6.7 million on its opening Friday, March 14, 2014.[26] However, the film finished in third place over the three-day weekend with $17.8 million.[27] [28] Outside North America, the film debuted in first place with $45.6 million on the same weekend as its North America release.[29] It remained in first place for a second weekend.[30] Overall, the film's largest territory is China, where both the film's opening weekend ($21.1 million)[31] and its total earnings ($66.2 million)[32] are higher than in North America. Following these two territories in total earnings is Russia and the CIS with $13.8 million.[33]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 23% based on 186 reviews and an average rating of . The site's critical consensus reads, "With stock characters and a preposterous plot, this noisily diverting video game adaptation fulfills a Need for Speed and little else."[34] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 39 out of 100 based on 38 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[35] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[36]

Michael Phillips of the 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 a serial killer in the making. Cooper, by contrast, seems to be having some fun playing a dashing, dastardly, sexy beast." Phillips added, "At its occasional best, the thrills in the film recall the delirious fun of the Fast & Furious franchise."[37] Betsy Sharkey of Los Angeles Times 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."[38] Jason Torchinsky of the automotive blog Jalopnik decried the movie for insulting gearheads with its far-reaching suspension of disbelief on many plot points and tropes and stated the film was nothing more than a glorified car commercial for the 2015 Ford Mustang.[39]

Danny Korecki of automotive outlet The Drive discussed the thought that the Need for Speed film may have been better had it been a TV series.[40]

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".[41]

Future

In 2015, China Movie Channel and Jiaflix Enterprises teamed up with EA Games to develop a sequel with the film to be set and shot in China.[42]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: DreamWorks Studios Teams With Mister Smith Entertainment For International Distribution . 18 June 2020 . Deadline.com . August 29, 2012 . June 18, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200618072128/https://deadline.com/2012/08/dreamworks-studios-teams-with-mister-smith-entertainment-for-international-distribution-326582/ . live .
  2. Web site: DREAMWORKS STUDIOS AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP FOR FILM ADAPTATION OF ELECTRONIC ARTS' NEED FOR SPEED VIDEO GAME. June 10, 2013. June 18, 2020. June 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200618091220/https://www.relianceentertainment.com/dreamworks-studios-and-ford-motor-company-announce-exclusive-partnership-for-film-adaptation-of-electronic-arts-need-for-speed-video-game/. live.
  3. Web site: Need for Speed (12A). British Board of Film Classification. February 11, 2014. February 27, 2014. February 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200217162521/https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/need-speed-film. live.
  4. Web site: Need for Speed (2014) . . July 6, 2018 . November 10, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191110151409/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/52fc01c03dbee . dead .
  5. Web site: Need for Speed (2014). Box Office Mojo. May 7, 2014. May 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190505042810/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=needforspeed.htm. live.
  6. Web site: Disney Sets 'Need For Speed' Release For Feb. 7, 2014 . . July 10, 2012 . February 19, 2013 . November 2, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131102100805/http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/need-for-speed-movie-release-date-february-7-2014-disney-dreamworks/ . live .
  7. Web site: Graser . Marc . Jeff Snider . EA feeling the 'Need for Speed' movie . . April 12, 2012 . August 4, 2012 . February 11, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130211122805/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118052577/ . live .
  8. Web site: Taylor Kitsch offered 'Need For Speed' lead role: Can he launch the racing film franchise? . Carina Adly . MacKenzie . July 19, 2012 . . 2014-02-23 . July 22, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120722230135/http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2012/07/taylor-kitsch-offered-need-for-speed-lead-role-can-he-launch-the-racing-film-franchise.html .
  9. Web site: 'Breaking Bad' Star Aaron Paul Lands DreamWorks' 'Need for Speed' . . October 15, 2012 . November 17, 2012 . January 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180118123932/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/aaron-paul-star-need-speed-378958 . live .
  10. News: Ito. Robert. Hitting High Velocity Without the Meth. 7 March 2014. The New York Times. 5 March 2014. March 18, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140318140314/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/09/movies/aaron-paul-grabs-the-wheel-in-need-for-speed.html?_r=0. live.
  11. Web site: Imogen Poots to Star in DreamWorks' 'Need for Speed' . Tatiana . Siegel . Borys . Kit . The Hollywood Reporter . October 31, 2012 . November 17, 2012 . January 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200108090951/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/imogen-poots-star-dreamworks-need-384865 . live .
  12. News: DreamWorks Revs 'Need For Speed'; Rap Producer Scott 'Kid Cudi' Mescudi Cast . Mike Jr. . Fleming . Deadline Hollywood . January 14, 2013. February 19, 2013.
  13. News: Michael Keaton Joins DreamWorks' 'Need for Speed' (Exclusive) . The Hollywood Reporter . February 5, 2013 . Borys . Kit . February 19, 2013 . January 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200108122519/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/michael-keaton-joins-dreamworks-need-418586 . live .
  14. News: Scott Waugh's "Need for Speed" to film in Macon . Reel Georgia . March 20, 2013 . Cameron . McAllister . March 20, 2013 . March 23, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160323173038/http://www.reelga.com/2013/03/scott-waughs-need-for-speed-to-film-in.html . live .
  15. Web site: 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 . September 3, 2013 . January 19, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180119060651/https://www.onlocationvacations.com/2013/05/12/monday-may-13-filming-locations-in-nyc-l-a-atlanta-chicago-detroit-more-including-how-to-catch-a-monster-divergent-the-walking-dead-paranoia-girls/#comments . dead .
  16. News: 'Need for Speed' filming: Temporary closure of 13th Street Bridge likely to impact thousands . Sorich . Sonya . . May 29, 2013 . September 3, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203020327/http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2013/05/29/2522607/need-for-speed-filming-temporary.html . December 3, 2013 . dead .
  17. Web site: Filming Locations in NYC, L.A., Atlanta, Detroit & more including The Newsroom, Spider-Man 2, Castle, & Anchorman 2 . OnLocationVacations.com . April 24, 2013 . May 20, 2013 . June 3, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170603151017/http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2013/04/24/wednesday-apr-24-filming-locations-in-nyc-l-a-atlanta-more-including-the-newsroom-spider-man-2-castle-anchorman-2/ . dead .
  18. News: Verrier. Richard. 'Need for Speed' director Scott Waugh's need for reality. 20 March 2014. Los Angeles Times. 15 March 2014. March 20, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140320023112/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-scott-waugh-need-for-speed-20140315,0,4127102.story#axzz2wSl4d1sI. live.
  19. Web site: Lee . Ashley . 6 March 2014 . Aloe Blacc, Kid Cudi, Skylar Grey Featured on 'Need for Speed' Soundtrack . 2 April 2024 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  20. News: Ford. Rebecca. First 'Need for Speed' Trailer: Aaron Paul Is Out for Revenge. The Hollywood Reporter. September 25, 2013. September 27, 2013. December 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191208024628/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/need-speed-trailer-aaron-paul-636484. live.
  21. News: 'Need For Speed' Getting 3D Release . February 5, 2014 . . February 5, 2014 . July 22, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140722200317/http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/need-for-speed-3d-screenings-added/ . live .
  22. News: Bacardi. Francesca. Aaron Paul's Car Overheats at 'Need for Speed' Premiere (VIDEO). 15 March 2014. Variety. 7 March 2014. March 13, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140313184358/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/aaron-paul-need-for-speed-2-1201127753/. live.
  23. News: 'Need For Speed' Release Date Moved To March 14, 2014 . March 29, 2013 . . March 29, 2013 . November 16, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201116104849/https://deadline.com/2013/03/need-for-speed-release-date-moved-to-march-14-2014-464359/ . live .
  24. Web site: NFS Rivals to get Movie DLC Pack. Stellmach. Owen. fudzilla.com. March 12, 2014. August 11, 2023.
  25. Web site: Need for Speed (Blu-ray + Digital HD). Amazon. August 5, 2014 . October 31, 2016. January 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200109052611/https://www.amazon.com/Need-Speed-Blu-ray-Digital-HD/dp/B00KDIFT5U. live.
  26. Web site: Need for Speed (2014) – Daily Box Office Results. 3 April 2014. Box Office Mojo. April 4, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140404130848/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=daily&id=needforspeed.htm. live.
  27. News: Khatchatourian. Maane. Box Office: 'Mr. Peabody and Sherman' Bites Into Top Spot, 'Need for Speed' in Third. 16 March 2014. Variety. 16 March 2014. March 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140316222114/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/box-office-mr-peabody-and-sherman-bites-into-top-spot-need-for-speed-in-third-1201135308/. live.
  28. News: Mendelson. Scott. Weekend Box Office: 'Veronica Mars' Earns $2M, 'Mr. Peabody And Sherman' Tops. 16 March 2014. Forbes. 16 March 2014. November 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201125203349/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2014/03/16/weekend-box-office-veronica-mars-earns-2m-need-for-speed-bombs/. live.
  29. News: Weekend Report: 'Mr. Peabody' Races Past 'Need for Speed'. Ray. Subers. March 16, 2014. Box Office Mojo. April 1, 2014. August 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170801004607/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3800&p=.htm. live.
  30. News: Weekend Report: 'Divergent' Dominates, 'Muppets' Misses, 'God' Lives. Ray. Subers. March 23, 2014. Box Office Mojo. April 1, 2014. November 29, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181129054419/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3804&p=.htm. live.
  31. Web site: China Box Office, March 10–16, 2014. Box Office Mojo. April 1, 2014. March 28, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140328171954/http://boxofficemojo.com/intl/china/?yr=2014&wk=11&p=.htm. live.
  32. News: China Box Office: 'Need for Speed' Races to $60 Million. Clifford. Coonan. April 1, 2014. The Hollywood Reporter. April 1, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140401083159/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-box-office-need-speed-692502. April 1, 2014.
  33. News: Need for Speed (2014) – International Box Office Results. Box Office Mojo. April 1, 2014. September 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180902223841/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=needforspeed.htm. live.
  34. Web site: Need for Speed (2014). Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. . December 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191225132235/https://rottentomatoes.com/m/need_for_speed. live.
  35. Web site: Need For Speed Reviews. Metacritic. 3 May 2020. August 31, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190831084855/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/need-for-speed. live.
  36. Web site: Cinemascore. cinemascore.com. May 13, 2018. April 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220413083139/https://www.cinemascore.com/. live.
  37. News: Phillips . Michael . REVIEW: 'Need for Speed . 16 March 2014 . . 13 March 2014 . March 17, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140317151401/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-03-13/entertainment/ct-need-for-speed-review-20140313_1_dominic-cooper-aaron-paul-bounty-hunters . live .
  38. News: Sharkey . Betsy . Review: Next to 'Fast & Furious,' 'Need for Speed' stalls out . 16 March 2014 . . 13 March 2014 . March 16, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140316053357/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-need-for-speed-review-20140314,0,4641272.story#axzz2w5aGAaMj . live .
  39. News: Torchinsky. Jason. The Need For Speed Movie Proves Hollywood Thinks Gearheads Are Idiots. 21 March 2014. Jalopnik. 12 March 2014. March 25, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140325193250/http://jalopnik.com/the-need-for-speed-movie-proves-hollywood-thinks-gearhe-1542241741. live.
  40. News: Korecki. Danny. Need For Speed Would Be Better As a TV Series Than a Movie. 24 September 2017. The Drive. 24 September 2017. September 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170927004936/http://www.thedrive.com/sheetmetal/14587/need-for-speed-would-be-better-as-a-tv-series-than-a-movie. live.
  41. News: Scott. A.O.. Fast Cars, and Racing for Revenge. 16 March 2014. The New York Times. 13 March 2014. March 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140315091053/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/14/movies/need-for-speed-puts-video-gamers-in-the-passenger-seat.html. live.
  42. Web site: Rainey. James. 'Need for Speed' Sequel in the Works With EA, Chinese Partners. Variety. Penske Media Corporation. April 8, 2015. October 31, 2016. January 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200109111118/https://variety.com/2015/film/asia/need-for-speed-sequel-electronic-arts-aaron-paul-1201468072/. live.

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