Well, first of all, it does help a lot if you are into racing. It helps you to have a better understanding of its characters and the circumstances and the movie overall is a just more fun and interesting one that way. Having said that; everybody should still be able to appreciate and like this movie on at least some levels, since it's a very well made and told one.

To be honest, I was starting to get fed up with modern day biopics. They all try to do and tell too much, with as a result that nothing ever fully works out and they often are afraid to offend anyone, so they play things safe, which often results in some very one sided and shallow movies. This movie all manages to avoid this, by not really being a biopic about Niki Lauda or James Hunt at all.

It may sound strange but the main reason why this movie works out is because it isn't ever going into too much detail and doesn't tell you too much about the movie its two main subjects. It only just tells you the things you truly need to know for this particular movie its story. In a way it's a very simple and straightforward movie but because of that it's also one that never bores, or becomes a too heavy and serious one to watch. Yes, you can even call this movie a bit of a shallow one, since there aren't ever any real good emotions or tension in it but that doesn't mean that it isn't an interesting or engaging one.

It's also a good thing that this movie doesn't villainize or glorifies any of its two main characters. Instead, the movie shows both their good and bad sides and in a way they are equals, both driven by their passion for racing and hunger for wins. How they approach things may be different but both share the same goals and desires. So really, it's not like you're rooting for just one driver to win. It's a very neutral movie, in just about every sense of the word.

Since the movie is set in the '70's it's also a great period piece. It's a great looking movie, without ever exaggerating anything. It's a subtle one, that isn't constantly busy and focused on trying to impress, with the next big race or crash. That doesn't mean that the races and crashes aren't great to look at though. Racing back in the 'old days' seemed far more interesting because of the simple fact that you knew it still was far more dangerous back then. Not only were cars and all safety less advanced but also the racetracks themselves. It makes the races in the movie some pretty intense ones and they look pretty authentic as well, despite the heavy use of CGI.

But this movie is more than just a racing movie. As a matter of fact, it doesn't ever feel like a racing movie at all, since the movie at all times puts the emphasis on the two main characters and their rivalry, rather than on the actual racing championships and all of the tactics and other side things involved with it.

If you still aren't sure about it if Chris Hemsworth is a good actor or not, wait until you see him in this movie. He gives an excellent performance with lots of range. Daniel Brühl, who has just as much screen time, if not more, was equally great as Niki Lauda. All of the other characters are secondary ones and I mean REALLY secondary ones. But that's OK really. It allows the movie to keep its focus and means that the movie isn't filled with needless distracting and any side plots that aren't ever going anywhere.

This is a great and perfectly entertaining watch, that besides manages to work out as an interesting one as well, especially when you're into racing and racing history.

8/10

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A re-creation of the merciless 1970s rivalry between Formula One rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda. From: IMDb.com

Hip-hop artist Jay-Z organizes the "Budweiser Made In America" music festival. From: IMDb.com

Directed by: Ron Howard

Starring: Jay-Z and others

Current release date: October 11, 2013

A biography of Formula 1 champion driver Niki Lauda and the 1976 crash that almost claimed his life. Mere weeks after the accident, he got behind the wheel to challenge his rival, James Hunt. From: IMDb.com

Directed by:  Ron Howard

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde, Natalie Dormer and others

Current release date:  September 27, 2013

A biography of Formula 1 champion driver Niki Lauda and the 1976 crash that almost claimed his life. Mere weeks after the accident, he got behind the wheel to challenge his rival, James Hunt. From: IMDb.com

Directed by: Ron Howard

Starring: Natalie Dormer, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde and others

Current release date: September 20, 2013

A biography of Formula 1 champion driver Niki Lauda and the 1976 crash that almost claimed his life. Mere weeks after the accident, he got behind the wheel to challenge his rival, James Hunt. From: IMDb.com

Directed by: Ron Howard

Starring: Natalie Dormer, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde and others

Current release date: September 20, 2013

A biography of Formula 1 champion driver Niki Lauda and the 1976 crash that almost claimed his life. Mere weeks after the accident, he got behind the wheel to challenge his rival, James Hunt. From: IMDb.com

Directed by: Ron Howard

Starring: Daniel Brühl, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde and others

Current release date: September 12, 2013

(Review originally written at 24 November 2006)

Man, George Lucas must have really loved the '60's! This entire movie is an nostalgic trip and homage to the charismatic '60's. I mean, if you want to see how life of the American youth in the '60's was like, you should really watch this movie.

The movie its story follows a group of friends that spend their last night together in town as high school graduations. After this all their lives will change and they will each head into different directions with their lives. For the last time they do want they want and simply enjoy their youth and the innocence of it. The movie has multiple story lines as it follows multiple individual characters during that one night. Every character experience something different and also learn some important life lessons in the progress. It makes the story well written and developed and all of the characters likable and interesting, although they are very stereotypical. It also of course helps the movie that they are being played by some great actors.

The movie features lots of actors that at the time were still very young but now are very 'big'. Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss and Charles Martin Smith but also Harrison Ford in a small but very cool and likable role. A kind of role you wouldn't expect of him now days. Also look out for Kathleen Quinlan and Joe Spano in some small roles. So real great casting in this one! Every actor delivers a very realistic and likable performance.

The movie features lots of stereotypical nostalgic '60's elements, such as drive-ins, cruising the strip, drag races etc. The movie is good looking with some nice looking cars and production design. It really helps to set the right mood for the time period the movie is set in. Also of course the very present musical-score consisting entirely out of memorable rock 'n' roll hits of the era helps to give you a real '60's' feeling, even if you weren't even born at that time (such as myself by the way).

The movie is a great mix of nostalgic '60's elements and 'coming of age' story lines. It makes "American Graffiti" an unique and pleasant viewing experience.

8/10

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(Review originally written at 20 October 2006)

Perhaps the most anticipated and talked about movie of 2006, by both positive and bashing negative parties (mostly from religious persons). Controversy had always surrounded this movie and the book it was based on. It's such a shame that some people just can't separate fact from fiction and just take the movie for what it is; good intelligent entertainment. Judging by its style and directing this movie was clearly not made to shock or offend but to purely entertain.

And for the unbiased open minded person this is surely an entertaining movie to watch. It was not as slow or boring is I had heard and expected. The movie is definitely fast paced and features lots of thrilling moments.

The movie its story had definitely enough potential to make this one of the best movies of 2006 but yet it isn't. The story tries to tell too much and often goes to deep into certain aspects which certainly doesn't help to make this movie the most pleasant or easiest one to watch. The story also takes lot for granted and goes to deep with its theories which isn't always good for the realism of the movie. It overall also makes the movie too long which makes it hard to keep interest for its entire duration.

The movie has a good style and quick pace, with some good editing and moody camera-work and a great perfectly suiting Hans Zimmer soundtrack. The directing is also good when for most part but yet you can tell that thriller/mystery just isn't Ron Howard's genre. The movie doesn't always flow well enough. My advice to him would be to just stick to drama's and comedies, were his true talent lies. Guess Howard really wasn't the right guy for this job.

Lots of fine actors are also wasted in the movie. The movie lies its emphasis on the story and therefor too often forgets about its character that become at times a secondary element in the movie. The movie does really lack a solid main character. It's not that Tom Hanks is of course an horrible actor and it's not like he's miscast in the movie, like most people say he is, his character just isn't always likable or understandable enough. Ian McKellen's role is too limited, as he is introduced too late into the movie. So is Jürgen Prochnow in a very small role and Alfred Molina, who's character had way more potential than was eventually used.

Yet the movie remains a perfectly watchable one that is also more entertaining than you'll perhaps would expect. The movie features more than enough interesting and mysterious elements to keep you interest in the story until the end. The story features lots of imaginative and fascinating elements, the book by Dan Brown on which this movie is based is not a world wide success for no reason. Too bad that in the end the movie does not live up to the book it's success or brilliance and it doesn't quite meet expectations.

It's some good intelligent entertainment but it's just not one of those movies people will still talk about in 10 years from now, I would reckon.

7/10

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(Review originally written at 2 May 2006)

This might very well be the most balanced- and excellent mix of drama and comedy I have ever seen. I already loved "Parenthood" when I was a kid and I perhaps love it even more now as a grownup, when I recently watched it again.

Perhaps the greatest strength of this movie is in its realism. Sure every character and event in the movie are somewhat silly and over-the-top but yet they also feel like very real problems and persons at the same time. This due to the great portrayal of the drama elements in the movie. These are real, recognizable or not, family-issues portrayed in this movie. It handles some delicate subjects but never without a smile as well. It makes this movie both touching and warm to watch, as well as fun and amusing.

Reason why both the dramatic and comical elements all work so well is also thanks to the cast. The movie has many well known actors in it. Tom Hulce especially impressed me and also Steve Martin was a great leading man, from the period when he was still funny in movies. Solid as always were Mary Steenburgen and Dianne Wiest. Rick Moranis surprisingly doesn't play a loser this time but he still is a nutty character in the movie. He shows in this movie that he also has some real acting skills. Keanu Reeves is also good in his role, from the period when he appeared mostly in just comedies. The still very young Joaquin Phoenix also plays a great and quite big role in the movie.

It has some totally unforgettable moments in it, both comedy-wise as in its drama. It all makes this movie one of the most warm and subtle movies ever made. It doesn't try to be funny, it doesn't try to be melodramatic. The end result of it all is an extremely well balanced and crafted mix of drama and comedy that works on both levels. You can watch this movie as a drama or as a comedy, so fans of both the genre will be pleased with this movie that surely does not disappoint in any way.

An early subtle Ron Howard masterpiece, that is criminally underrated here on IMDb.

9/10

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(Review originally written at 29 April 2006)

This movie is a decent early directing attempt from the now much acclaimed director Ron Howard. The movies is not really memorable or hilariously funny but it still provides some decent entertainment, probably mainly thanks to the two main actors of the movie; Henry Winkler and Michael Keaton.

What a great screen debut, this movie for Michael Keaton was. He impresses and amuses in his eccentric over-the-top role. He plays his role with lots of class and professionalism and thanks to that he never becomes ridiculous in his role but funny and consistent instead. But please, let's also not forget Henry Winkler. I mean this is the Fonz we're talking about and he made this movie even in the middle of his "Happy Days" period but yet he is great and totally believable in his role in this movie as a loser who in many ways is the opposite of his character Fonzie. This movie shows that Henry Winkler really is a great and perhaps also underrated actor who can play a diversity of roles. Some smaller roles in this movie are for well known actors such as Clint Howard, Shelley Long, Richard Belzer, Vincent Schiavelli and bit parts for Ron Howard himself and Kevin Costner and Shannen Doherty in their first small movie roles (blink your eyes once and you'll miss them).

But despite all the talent involved this movie is not really a successful one. Probably thing to blame for this is the story, which is nothing special and not always very consistent. The movie lacks a really remarkable or memorable comical plot line. There are some funny moments throughout the movie but not enough to entirely regard this movie successful as a comedy. Still, like I mentioned before, Winkler and Keaton still makes this comedy worth your time.

The movie also lacks style and the timing is off at times.

Not a bad early attempt by Ron Howard but thankfully his later movies are way better.

6/10

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