A bit too academic

Rating: 7/10 (19 January 2014)

With Rush, Ron Howard wraps up a solid film but which lacks as often this little thing that would make it excellent.
The scenario is captivating, dynamic, but the rivalry between the two pilots could have deserved more intensity, more tension and most importantly a stronger build up. What makes the story interesting is the captivating, enigmatic character of Niki Lauda embodied by the excellent and charismatic Daniel Brühl, because James Hunt is a lot too superficial and caricatural.
As for the cinematography, it is effective especially regarding the racing scenes punctuated by some CGI shots that are for once relevant, but the mise-en-scène remains quite conventional.
Anyway, Rush is a very neat movie on every level, but in fact maybe too much, at the same time with Ron Howard as the director you had to anticipate for something very academic.