Rush is a pulse pounding thrill fest, determined to keep you both glued to your seat and wanting to get to the nearest race car. Ron Howard’s latest masterpiece is the riveting story of Formula 1’s most incredible competition: Nicki Lauda versus James Hunt, the consummate technician against the pure race car driver.

Niki Lauda showed up in the 1970s like a whirlwind, redesigning cars and changing the face of Formula 1. James Hunt showed up shortly thereafter with a style and charisma that charmed not only the public but the drivers. Their rivalry is the stuff of legends and the source for Howard’s best film in years.

The film traces the parallel careers and nearly opposite personalities like a supercharged McLaren Formula 1 running a fast track. What Howard does brilliantly is take those two personalities and make them real and approachable. I felt by the end of the film I not only knew Lauda and Hunt but really liked them.

The movie stars Daniel Brühl as Niki Lauda, Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt and Olivia Wilde as Hunt’s wife. Brühl’s performance is exceptional, Hemsworth’s up to his usual high standard, but Wilde, in her short time on the screen, was great. Most important, the characters manage to recreate not only the seventies look but the feel.

What amazes me most about Rush is, seemingly, without the use of massive amounts of CGI trickery I felt fully engaged. There is a gritty 1970s feel to the film and, more importantly, each race. The movie is not only raw, but intense and exciting. Rush is a brilliant film, with great presentation and great performances…one of the best of the year!