Great Film: Days of Thunder
Say what you will, but this is a great movie for guys.
Regardless of your opinion of NASCAR racing, this is an incredibly fun
movie
for guys.
Is it creative? No. It's pretty obvious that it's the same thing as Top
Gun.
The only difference is maturity. Over the years, Tom Cruise had developed
into a fine actor, and when coupled with Robert Duvall (in a spectacular
performance) and a surprising Randy Quaid, Days of Thunder becomes a film
which gets pretty much any guy involved in it.
I personally hate NASCAR, but still I find this film absolutely riveting,
and every time I watch it, I suddenly have a desire to go race my car down
the highway. In fact, the biggest argument against this movie is that it
does get to the testosterone.
The music for Days of Thunder sets it up perfectly. Hans Zimmer does an
effective job with his second Cruise film in two years (Rain Man was the
other), and The Spencer Davis Group's Gimme Some Lovin' makes some plotless
racing scenes worth watching.
The script, penned by Bob Towne, is far more clever than the average action
movie and actually creates some serious character depth for Cole and Rowdy,
although Cary Elwes' character seems excessively evil.
But, all in all, this is an action movie that works for Cruise fans, even
if
they don't like action movies. 8.5 out of 10 (On a pure enjoyment
basis).
Cast
- Harry Hogge played by Robert Duvall
- Harlem Hoogerhyde played by Chris Ellis
- Dr. Claire Lewicki played by Nicole Kidman
- Cole Trickle played by Tom Cruise
- Tim Daland played by Randy Quaid
- Buck Bretherton played by John C. Reilly
- Russ Wheeler played by Cary Elwes
