Rush!!!!

Rush.

It has to be said when you see the name Ron Howard attached to a film as it's director you know that your going to be onto a great film. A Beautiful Mind, Frost/Nixon, Apollo 13 and The Da vinci Code are just the main film successes that Howard has had over his career in movies. He always manages to bring a true life story to the screen in a respectful yet thrilling and informative way and get you truly hooked at the same time. 

Rush sees the true life story of rivalry between Britain's James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Austria's Nicki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) during the 1976 Forumula One season. Starting off with the backstory of both drivers we see Hunt rise up through the ranks of formula three, two and then gain sponsorship into formula one. Lauda on the other hand starts in formula three and then eventually uses his money to buy himself into the BRM formula one team driving alongside Clay Regazzoni (Pierfrancesco Favino). 

Showing the backwards and forwards rivalry between the two drivers is shown on screen, Hunt being the wild party going guy who had everything to prove. Then Lauda who kept everything serious, was very guarded and worked hard and had nothing to prove to no-one. Then on one fateful day everything was to change, for Lauda especially. At the famous German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring Lauda was to try and reason with the other drivers about the bad weather conditions but Hunt convinced the drivers to drive stating Lauda was doing it to win points and the championship.

What was to happen next was to shock everyone, with the changing of tires on the second lap Lauda's suspension arm was to break causing the car to crash into the barrier and burst into flames before being hit by other cars. Lauda was airlifted to hospital and was to be treated for third degree burns to his face and toxic fumes in his lungs. As Lauda lay in bed in agony and has his lungs pumped of the toxic chemicals he watches a TV and sees James Hunt win race after race and is determined to get back into the car and finish the season. 

The film is seriously impressive as you see the rivalry between the two rise and rise it keeps you hooked as to what happens next. Obviously what happened to Lauda was awful and truly shocking but to get back up and have that courage and strength shows that the human body and spirit can endure and be strong again. Touching upon not only professional but personal relationships of the drivers is a nice little touch as well and gives the film that human soft love element you wouldn't see on the track from the men. 

From the cinematography of Anthony Dod Mantle of wheels spinning in slow motion to Hans Zimmer's amazing soundtrack to keep that tension high everyone involved has produced a great film. A film that is intense and thrilling yet is so respectful of the subject matter at hand. Hemsworth and Bruhl play Hunt and Lauda perfectly and you can really feel the intensity on screen.

The last scene for me showing up to date footage of Lauda looking onto a racetrack speaking about how Hunt was one of a few men he truly respected and felt sad when he heard of Hunt's death at the young age of 45. To me this shows Howard had that respect and heart to finish the film perfectly and maybe for people inside and outside the Formula One world hear what Lauda truly thought of Hunt.

Yet another massive hit for Ron Howard and a film to stand the test of time that no doubt people will talk about for years after and in my eyes a film set to take all the awards come Oscar and BAFTA weekends.

10/10.