Rush

Universal Pictures | Release Date: September 20, 2013

8.4	USER SCORE Universal acclaim based on 718 Ratings

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User Reviews

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LumiereCriticOct 30, 2013

It took a while for me to decide if I actually enjoyed Rush or not and eventually I concluded that any film that left me with such a mixed impression should be critiqued as such. While Daniel Brühl gives an outstanding performance, theIt took a while for me to decide if I actually enjoyed Rush or not and eventually I concluded that any film that left me with such a mixed impression should be critiqued as such. While Daniel Brühl gives an outstanding performance, the direction is inconsistent and a lot of the beginning is very bland and cliche. Overall, the film had some very strong highliights, but there were some weaker moments that felt out of place. The main problem, oddly enough, can be solved with one small storytelling choice: Don't hide Lauda as the main character. Let him emerge as the star, and the rest would've fallen into place.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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BKMOct 14, 2013

Ron Howard's glossy, commercial approach doesn't serve the subject matter well in Rush. At its core the film is a character study about the rivalry and contrasting personalities of two drivers who fueled each others desire to dominate theirRon Howard's glossy, commercial approach doesn't serve the subject matter well in Rush. At its core the film is a character study about the rivalry and contrasting personalities of two drivers who fueled each others desire to dominate their sport. The two men are fascinating and deeply flawed individuals consumed by the adrenaline rush provided by their chosen professions, but Howard shoehorns everything into a conventional sports flick with a tidy ending. It could have been so much more.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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canhenhaSep 30, 2013

Ron Howard has a tradition for tackling stories without much attention for nuance. His films are unabashedly focused on making the audience create a sense of empathy with his core hero, without contemplating any darker side the character(s)Ron Howard has a tradition for tackling stories without much attention for nuance. His films are unabashedly focused on making the audience create a sense of empathy with his core hero, without contemplating any darker side the character(s) may have. "Rush", written by Peter Morgan, suffers from this problem the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda could easily be the one that Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer personified onscreen in Tony Scott's "Top Gun" in 1986, with the difference that this time around, the so called hero, actually is presented as an egotistical man, without much depth or sense of empathy (or dignity for that matter). The film fails in creating these characters as something palpable or even relatable they are nothing more than archetypes, namely the playboy vs. the conservative man, whereas the women in their lives, are given nothing more to do, other than stay in the background, look preoccupied, and have brief scenes of walking into frame (and quickly exiting). The film is successful in presenting the dynamic of the sport and the sense of excitement that always prevailed in it the fantastic cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle gives the film a look and treatment that are superb. Daniel Bruhl also manages to create an engaging performance, though it soon becomes a performance that runs always on a single view of the character. Though shot and impeccably recreated for the time it depicts, the film ultimately feels hollow and devoid of the emotion and excitement that always propelled these men and the fans to the circuits. Not recommended.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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TVJerryOct 4, 2013

In 1976, two Formula One drivers became prominent rivals. Charismatic English playboy James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and dull, disciplined Austrian Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl). This is basically a surface biopic about one year in their lives withIn 1976, two Formula One drivers became prominent rivals. Charismatic English playboy James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and dull, disciplined Austrian Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl). This is basically a surface biopic about one year in their lives with lots of unoriginal or thrilling racing footage. Director Ron Howard went with arty camerawork and edgy editing, but it only serves to disguise the flat filmmaking. The performers are fine and their story does gain momentum in the last third, but that's a lot of mileage (literally) before it becomes involving.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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JonDocOct 9, 2013

I really wanted to like this film but ultimately found it a bit disappointing. The characterisations were simplistic, the race action scenes were boring close focus quick cut blurs certainly not 'one of the greatest movies about motorI really wanted to like this film but ultimately found it a bit disappointing. The characterisations were simplistic, the race action scenes were boring close focus quick cut blurs certainly not 'one of the greatest movies about motor racing'. Watchable, but a documentary is more interesting than this superficial biopic.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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bigfoot6463Sep 26, 2013

I don't understand why this movie has gotten high reviews. No Oscar winners here. Sure some of the action scenes were ok but nothing to write home about. Don't waste your money on this one. Wait till it comes out on TV. Half decent story lineI don't understand why this movie has gotten high reviews. No Oscar winners here. Sure some of the action scenes were ok but nothing to write home about. Don't waste your money on this one. Wait till it comes out on TV. Half decent story line but like I said, nothing to write home about in any way shape or form. Sorry for the buzz kill for the people who are going to flock to the movies this weekend to see it. Definitely at the most, this movie doesn't deserve anything above a 6/10....AT BEST.… Expand

0 of 10 users found this helpful010

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ROFLoomSep 30, 2013

The thing that kind of sucks is that you are not rooting for either person because both are and selfish... like even in the end... the racing scenes were NOT that great and the scenes throughout were honestly pretty forgettable... maybe itsThe thing that kind of sucks is that you are not rooting for either person because both are and selfish... like even in the end... the racing scenes were NOT that great and the scenes throughout were honestly pretty forgettable... maybe its just one of those "intelligent" movies you have to deeply analyze or something, but to me, the best movies are the ones where you leave the theater thinking about it, wanting more of it, 50 years down the road they will be making references to it because it is just a classic. Where are those movies anymore?… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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TyranianDec 11, 2019

A pretty good biopic with decent acting and good visuals. Some aspects of the screenplay don't gel.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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OwenMckennaFeb 3, 2014

Owen McKenna Rio Rancho, NM. The film was not at all what I expected. I guess I was expecting something along the lines of Days of Thunder, but in the Formula one form. Being based on a true story, the storyline seemed over the top. BestOwen McKenna Rio Rancho, NM. The film was not at all what I expected. I guess I was expecting something along the lines of Days of Thunder, but in the Formula one form. Being based on a true story, the storyline seemed over the top. Best scene was when they were driving in the countryside, very amusing. Ron Howard told the story in a different way than I had expected it to be told.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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YorkManJan 1, 2016

It's hard to make films about motor sports, it's even harder to make one and base it on real life events. Rush is a somewhat fanciful account of the build up to, and events of, the 1976 F1 Championship. A year in F1 that became legendary theIt's hard to make films about motor sports, it's even harder to make one and base it on real life events. Rush is a somewhat fanciful account of the build up to, and events of, the 1976 F1 Championship. A year in F1 that became legendary the second it came to a conclusion, and was a tale of two men... Niki Lauda and James Hunt, played by Daniel Bruhl and Chris Hemsworth respectively.

The narrative focusses on the fact that the two men are dynamic opposites, Hunt the flamboyant playboy who famously refers to sex as the breakfast of champions, and Lauda the deep thinking and analytically minded racer who is also naturally fast behind the wheel.

The problem with the film is that, like a real F1 season, there are highs and lows and it does get predictable. The highs being the truly awesome recreations of the best parts of the on track action and the scenes which tell the audience the motivations of the two drivers. The lows being pretty much everything else, with several scenes really dragging on and not moving the story forward in any way.

Part of the 'high' are the performances on the 'Lauda side' of the narrative. Daniel Bruhl is probably the only person who could 'be' Niki Lauda in a film, but he's matched by his on-screen girlfriend then wife Marlene, played by Alexandra Maria Lara, who is as beautiful as she's talented.

Conversely, it's hard not to like Chris Hemsworth (as an actor), but his performance is very one-note and muted. Similarly his girlfriend then wife Suzy (played by Olivia Wilde) is unable to convince as the one woman Hunt could want to walk down the aisle with.

Ultimately it's a decent enough film, the action scenes more than make up for the somewhat stilted dialogue and slower parts, but at 122 minutes it's probably about 20 minutes too long.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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BroyaxApr 4, 2023

Ce n’est pas vraiment un film au service de la F1 et de ses bolides de l’époque, ce n’est pas Le Mans avec Steve McQueen, on ne baigne pas dans la course elle-même, pas de tonnerres mécaniques ici. Le simple fait de balancer de la musique deCe n’est pas vraiment un film au service de la F1 et de ses bolides de l’époque, ce n’est pas Le Mans avec Steve McQueen, on ne baigne pas dans la course elle-même, pas de tonnerres mécaniques ici. Le simple fait de balancer de la musique de merde pendant les courses est d’ailleurs insupportable. Le montage est souvent agité durant ces séquences d’ailleurs.

De ce point de vue j’attendais mieux et je crois qu’on ne fera jamais mieux que Le Mans ou encore le fascinant Grand Prix de John Frankenheimer. Donc côté immersion dans le sport mécanique le plus extrême, on repassera. En outre, le bellâtre Chris Hemsworth se révèle -comme à son habitude- très mauvais, pas du tout à la hauteur de son rôle, fût-il le rôle du dandy de l’époque, ce « gentleman driver » décalé et décadent qui méritait bien mieux que que l’incompétence de Chris machin, lequel a toujours tort, de toute façon.

Par contre, Daniel Brühl est admirable dans son incarnation de Lauda, son courage, son sale caractère… et ses contradictions. Le film a bien sûr le mérite de mettre en lumière deux pilotes exceptionnels aux tempéraments très différents et Ron Howard maîtrise ces portaits croisés en instillant ce qu’il faut d’émotion et de rythme dans la narration.

Il semble en tout cas que même Niki Lauda ait aimé ce film, qui constitue sans doute la plus belle biographie romancée que l’on ait jamais faite d’un pilote encore vivant (à la sortie du film).… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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