With the distinct adrenaline shot that car racing can give to both the racers and the spectators, it is no longer surprising that car racing has also rapidly become one of the popularly highlighted themes in Hollywood movies. The sound of squealing tires and revving engines is surely the secret to the undisputable thrill in auto racing movies. These auto racing movies may be based on real life legends or purely fiction-based. Here are the top 5 auto racing movies that will surely give you one hell of a ride:
The Dale Earnhardt Story (2004)
Produced by ESPN, this film portrays the life of NASCAR driver, Dale Earnhardt, who died during the last lap of Daytona 500 in 2001. This biographical documentary features Earnhardt’s poor upbringing in North Carolina, his rise to fame through NASCAR, his fatherhood and his death. The film stars Barry Pepper as Earnhardt. One of the strengths of the film is the excellent performance of Pepper as troubled Earnhardt. You will also appreciate the numerous racing scenes in the movie.
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
A part of a series of car racing movies, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift features an all-new cast from the original film and was shot in Tokyo and a number of areas in Los Angeles. In this adrenaline-rushing film, Lucas Black plays the role of Sean Boswell who is left with no other choice but to live in Tokyo to avoid getting imprisoned. In this strange land, he has set his path on finding a name for himself on the underground world of drift racing. If you are a part of the racing crowd, you will surely love the film’s eye-popping driving sequences.
Thunderbolt (1995)
A Hong Kong action film starring Jackie Chan, Thunderbolt focuses on the world of racing. Chan plays the role of Foh, a mechanic and part time racing car driver. He assists the police force in hunting down a dangerous criminal, Cougar, who is also a race car driver. His involvement in this criminal case leads to Cougar’s kidnapping of Foh’s sisters. Cougar would only release Foh’s sisters in exchange of a car race with Foh. Though the film portrays all the expected elements of a Jackie Chan film, Thunderbolt is one of the least popular films of the actor. Despite the overconcentration on car scenes, the film still exemplifies an excellent choreography.
Death Race (2008)
Starring Jason Statham, Joan Allen and Tyrese Gibson, Death Race features a modern gladiator game named ‘The Death Race’ played by prisoners. In this car race, players who win 5 races will be granted freedom. One of the most popular Death Race players is Frankenstein who dies just before the well-publicized last race of the player. Meanwhile, Jensen Ames, an ex-NASCAR stock racing car driver played by Statham, convicted for allegedly killing his wife. When Ames has been sent to Terminal Island, he has been coerced to assume the persona of Frankenstein in the race and get an opportunity to win his freedom with just one race.
Fast Five (2011)
Definitely, you can never claim to be a fan of Justin Lin’s car racing movie series without watching Fast Five. With its sleek, loud and over-the-top action thrills, you will never have a dull moment watching the film. The fifth installment in the Fast and Furious series, Fast Five stars Vin Diesel, Brian O’Conner and Mia Toretto with a mission to steal $100 million from a corrupt and greedy businessman. With the illegal means they are taking to achieve their end goal, the team ends up in the other side of the law, being pursued for arrest by a federal agent. If you have followed the entire movie franchise, you would commend the new and fresh life that Fast Five has breathed into it.
