[AMAZONPRODUCTS asin=”B00LL4ECXK”]Need for Speed, a loose adaptation of the popular video game series, is designed for adrenaline junkies. Given the phenomenal success of the Fast and Furious franchise, who can blame a rival studio for trying to get a piece of the street racing piece. Unfortunately, Need for Speed is bloated and rather ridiculous. While some of the stunts are notable, the characters aren’t worth caring about.

Breaking Bad’s Aaron Paul is Tobey Marshall, a mechanic and small-town street racer. When the garage that Tobey inherited from his father starts drowning in debt, his former rival Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper) hires him and his crew to finish building a custom Shelby Mustang in exchange for 25% of the Shelby Mustang’s $2 million sale price. However, after Dino’s ego is bruised and he challenges Tobey to a race to prove his superiority, one of Tobey’s friends is killed in the process, landing him in prison while Dino gets away scot-free.

Released on parole after two years, Marshall decides to avenge the injustice by entering an invitation-only race he knows Dino’s will be in. The race, the Deleon, is put on by an eccentric recluse named Monarch (Michael Keaton, kind of fun but clearly high on something), who has a street racing podcast run out of his living room. He doesn’t really strike you as the kind of guy with the pull to put on such an important event, but believability doesn’t seem to be a concern of the filmmakers. Tobey puts together his former racing crew of pals (Rami Malek, Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi, Ramon Rodriguez, and Harrison Gilbertson) In need of a fast car; he teams up with a car dealer named Julia Maddon (Imogen Poots) who allows him to use the Shelby Mustang she had purchased from Brewster. With that, the pair embarks in a race against the clock to get from New York to San Francisco in time for the race, all while dodging various law enforcement officials.

There’s a lot going on for a movie about street racing. Truth be told, the plot is ridiculously absurd. Strip it down though, and Need for Speed is about fast cars and revenge. Strangely, director Scott Waugh (Act of Valor) doesn’t seem to realize the absurdity of the material and takes things way too seriously. A former stuntman, Waugh takes a practical approach to the action sequences, but the surrounding story is pie in the sky material.

Need for Speed might appeal to viewers looking for a film that will allow them to shut off their brains for awhile and enjoy a thrill ride. However, given the clunky script and forgettable characters, watching one of the films from The Fast and the Furious franchise is probably a more worthwhile choice.

Presented in the 2.39:1 theatrical aspect ratio, this 1080p transfer is reference quality material. Colors are bright and bold, and the image exhibits a sharpness that allows for exacting detail. Blacks are deep and shadow detail is excellent across the board. Skin tones look natural throughout, and contrast remains consistent.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 sound mix makes excellent use of the multichannel soundstage, offering steady pans throughout the soundfield during the various car chases and race sequences. The listener feels as though they’re inside the car. Nathan Furst’s driving score and the expertly recorded dialogue are largely in the center channel, but do occasionally travel.

English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles are included.

The following extras are available:

  • Audio Commentary with Director Scott Waugh and Actor Aaron Paul: Waugh and Paul affably discuss the production process, with particular enthusiasm when it comes to the action sequences.
  • Capturing Speed: Making an Authentic Car Movie (HD, 9:45) director Scott Waugh, stars Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, producer-writer John Gatins, executive producer Steven Spielberg, and other crew members discuss the construction of the cars, the training of the two stars for the driving sequences, and the stunt work going on behind-the-scenes.
  • Ties That Bind (HD, 12:04) director Scott Waugh discusses his special relationship with the Gilbert family, stunt coordinators and drivers on the film.
  • The Circus is in Town (HD, 10:50) director Scott Waugh describes the cross country crew-as-family that it took to get the film made in a number of locations.
  • Monarch and Maverick Outtakes (HD, 1:43) selected outtakes/improvs from Michael Keaton and Scott Mescudi.
  • Deleted Scenes (HD, 5:09) four in all,with introductions by director Scott Waugh. They may also be watched individually.
  • The Sound of Need for Speed (HD, 9:25) composer Nathan Furst, sound mixers, and others discuss how the Foley was captured for the movie, how the sound was especially built for 7.1 sound design, and the creation of the score.
  • Need for Speed Rivals Trailer (HD, 1:25) an ad for the Electronic Arts video game.
  • Digital Copy: code sheet enclosed in the case.