Rush Review

Rating: 8/10 (22 October 2013)

Formula 1 racing is the World's top motor sport, its the pinnacle of all motor racing, its also the most dangerous. Ron Howard's new film Rush, scores on many levels and fails in a few. First problem is the marketing for the film. They give Chris Hemsworth's character all of the spot light on the billboards and posters, when Daniel Bruhl should be the one. There are a few advertisements with Bruhl on them, but he needs to be front and center, because he is the leading actor in this film and outshines the whole cast. Hemsworth is just a more marketable face.
Nikki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) and James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) are two of the top Formula Three racers in the 1970s. The film Rush spans over six years and chronicles their rise to Formula 1 drivers and their infamous rivalry that fueled them.
Chris Hemsworth is no doubt a talented actor. I wanted to hate on him just cause he is who he is, but I can't. Hemsworth's acting is most certainly something to admire, his egotistical confidence and cockiness is pitch perfect. He truly impressed me with every scene. Daniel Bruhl nails it with his performance. The directness and care that Bruhl takes in every hand and face movement is absolutely precise and a pleasure to watch. Bruhl is miraculous, so spectacular that he needs a nomination, I loved his character work.
Ron Howard does a fine job at keeping the film vibrant and energetic while adding extremely dull environments, that make the beautiful bright colored textures pop out. Howard stylizes the race sequences expertly, he never really takes you out of the crash, a lot of tight close- ups on the drivers and car parts. Its also an excellent screenplay by Peter Morgan, I just felt there should have been something more to it. Rush is a very straightforward film, that doesn't push the boundaries, it definitely stays within the lines.
Rush came close to being a fantastic film, don't get me wrong, I still throughly enjoyed the film and highly recommend it to anyone. There were just a few more (unknown) things I wanted out of it. I must see it again. I give Rush an 8 out of 10.