A More Character-Driven 'Top Gun'

Rating: Null/10 (10 September 2006)

DAYS OF THUNDER **** Star Tom Cruise teams with director Tony Scott and his collaborators to take their 'Top Gun' tactics to the racetrack, set at the coming of Datona 500. The story's similar to 'Top Gun' in that we have a young, restless racer (Cruise) trying to pass by life by driving fast race cars, and a climactic situation temporarily ending his ability to do it, but 'Days of Thunder' contrasts because it takes a backseat to an engagingly glossier aura to make a more character-driven movie and it's something I appreciate in a degree: It got to be something of its own. Here we also have the racer's coach - a great Robert Duvall - to make Cruise the best racer he can be, antagonistic competitors, and a love interest. In the end, both 'Days of Thunder' and 'Top Gun' are good, just different.