Duvall raises this rating by a point.

Rating: 7/10 (27 June 2020)

The star, producers, and director of "Top Gun" reteam for another story in which Tom Cruise is the cocky young hotshot determined to prove himself to the world. This time, he's a race car driver named Cole Trickle (what were they thinking with THAT name?), taken under the wing of a veteran crew chief and car builder, Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall). Cole definitely has a lot to learn, and he even admits to Harry that he knows precious little about cars, despite having a talent at driving them.
If you love cars and you love racing, you'll have a head start on other viewers when it comes to this ultra-slick, loud, but VERY predictable action-drama. It's completely lacking in any sort of suspense. Even when Cole is critically injured in a major crash, the viewer has no doubt that he'll be back in racing form in record time.
As can be expected, all the race track action is first rate: well shot and well edited. It's an exceptionally good looking picture, with colours that just pop off the screen. There's a romantic subplot where Cole develops a lust for the sexy young neurosurgeon (Nicole Kidman) who helped to save his life; Cruise and Kidman work well together and it's not a surprise that they would become a real-life couple.
Ultimately, it's a first rate cast that really makes this worth seeing. Able support is provided by Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes, John C. Reilly, and Michael Rooker, the latter playing Coles' race track nemesis who eventually becomes his friend. Other familiar faces (Fred Thompson, J.C. Quinn, Caroline Williams, Margo Martindale) turn up, with producer Don Simpson appearing on screen as Aldo Bennedetti. But it's Duvall who is the true MVP of this production. He's just a pleasure to watch.
"Days of Thunder" is largely visceral entertainment that basically works on a mindless level, with Cruise flashing his smile at any and every opportunity.
Screenplay by Robert Towne, based on a story by him and Cruise.
Seven out of 10.