Synopsis
The film revolves around a local street-racer who partners with a rich and arrogant business associate, only to find himself framed by his colleague and sent to prison. After he gets out, he joins a New York-to-Los Angeles race to get revenge. But when the ex-partner learns of the scheme, he puts a massive bounty on the racer's head, forcing him to run a cross-country gauntlet of illegal racers in all manner of supercharged vehicles.
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Cast
- Aaron PaulTobey Marshall
- Dominic CooperDino Brewster
- Imogen PootsJulia Maddon
- Kid CudiBenny Jackson
- Rami MalekFinn
- Ramón RodríguezJoe Peck
- Harrison GilbertsonLittle Pete Coleman
- Dakota JohnsonAnita Coleman
- Stevie Ray DallimoreBill Ingram
- Michael KeatonMonarch
Recommendations
- 60
Variety
Paul plays the part with the flinty, tightly wound charisma of a small man who makes up in moxie what he lacks in stature. There’s something of the young James Cagney in him, and he’s by far the best thing Need for Speed has going for it. - 50
Entertainment Weekly
A moderately popular racing series that the powers that be have tried to turn into a turbo-boosted stunt-car extravaganza of the same make and model as the "Fast & Furious" franchise. - 50
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
The cast doesn’t have the sassy swagger of the “Fast & Furious” crew. Paul, surrounded by co-stars of the same modest height, isn’t particularly charismatic in this setting. He’s not a natural “quiet tough guy.” But the actors are second bananas here — to the Koenigsegg Ageras, Saleens and Shelby Mustang that feed America’s Need for Speed, on screen and off. And the cars deliver. - 40
Total Film
The cars are hot, the action is decent, but the characters and plot need a serious tune-up. - 40
The Hollywood Reporter
Need For Speed is a flat, sexless movie that seems not to understand why people like to sit in the driver’s seat and rev that big engine: Because of the transgressive rumble in your nethers. - 40
Time Out London
After a creaky, clichéd start, Need for Speed picks up a bit. The script is still as corny as hell, but the chase scenes are pretty spectacular. - 40
Arizona Republic
If you like watching people drive really nice cars really fast, Need for Speed scratches that particular itch. But expect nothing more, because everything else about it is just running on empty. - 25
Slant Magazine
Even when compared to other films posing as Ford Mustang commercials, Need for Speed isn't particularly memorable for anything other than the startling incompetence and dull sheen of the end result.
