Ever since 2012’s Rush, the era of racing movies has slowly fizzled out in favor of blockbuster action movies with cars featured throughout the movie (ahem Fast & Furious). However, James Mangold, coming off of 2017’s Logan, directs this adrenaline-fueled movie starring Christian Bale and Matt Damon, both of whom lead this movie above expectations.
The plot is: “American automotive designer Carroll Shelby and fearless British race car driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary vehicle for the Ford Motor Co. Together, they plan to compete against the race cars of Enzo Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in 1966.” This movie was amazing. From start to finish I cared about each character because I wanted them to succeed. This movie does a phenomenal job of setting up a goal and putting everything it has to make sure the audience roots for everyone involved. The acting was fantastic, with Christian Bale starring as Ken Miles who isn’t the “All-American” racer you think he is yet he proves to be one of the most skilled drivers in American history. Matt Damon also provides a great performance as a supporting character who is the one holding the dream together for everyone in order to accomplish it successfully, while also trying to prove to himself that his past does not define who he is. Of course, I have to talk about the great cinematography and sound design during the racing scenes as everything is done practically and looks like you are there watching the race unfold in real time. The score added so much more character to the scenes as it kept your adrenaline high and you were left to the edge of your seat. The script was great, the pacing was perfect, and all-in-all Ford V Ferrari was a blast from start to finish. This is one of the best original movies I have seen in the past few years.
In the end, I am going to give Ford V Ferrari an A+. This movie is one of the greatest racing films I have ever seen and is available right now on HBO.