Rush MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +2 Content: -4

Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara. Action/drama. Written by Peter Morgan. Directed by Ron Howard.

FILM SYNOPSIS: This action-drama stars Chris Hemsworth (The Avengers) as the charismatic Englishman James Hunt and Daniel Brühl (Inglourious Basterds) as the disciplined Austrian perfectionist Niki Lauda, whose clashes on the 1970s Grand Prix racetrack epitomized the contrast between these two men, a distinction reflected in their private lives.

PREVIEW REVIEW: For this non-Formula One fan, this film is much like watching a NASCAR race. The characters, as well as the cars, are good-looking and go fast, but they don’t seem to get anywhere. The characters are hedonistic, self-centered and spiritually oblivious. The two male leads trade hostile barbs, treat their women like trophies, and their main goal in life is to be the first to see the checkered flags. The two central characters are very different men, but I couldn’t find qualities in either that I found uplifting, encouraging or spiritually enlightening. And the main objective for the film viewer seems to be to wait for the crashes. There are many who will disagree with my assessment, finding the film to be testosterone-fueled entertainment. May God bless and keep each and every one of them.

Director Ron Howard has made some great films, but he’s also had his failures. Here he loads his characters with clichés, and shoots the racing segments with little style, making sure to showcase the victims of car crashes in explicit detail. After one fiery crash, for instance, we see half a body sitting in the car, the pinkish guts taking center screen. And when it’s Niki Lauda’s turn to get trapped in a fiery blaze, we expect to see his charred face in many a follow-up close-up. Sure enough.

Rush isn’t so much about the sport of Formula One racing as it is about these two men. And certainly, that is necessary for a drama. After all, this isn’t a documentary. But I didn’t like the main characters. And I don’t like looking at a famous movie star who has it all, only to hear him profane Christ’s name time and again. A man who profanes God’s name on screen reveals his inner nature. Not just the character’s, but his own as well.

Profanity seems to have little spiritual significance not just for moviemakers, but for many moviegoers. In Exodus 20:4 it is proclaimed, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” Yet, despite biblical ordinances, in a huge number of films, God’s name is often followed by a curse. If you include the misuse of Jesus’ name in that instruction, then the number of films that defy God’s directive jumps to a majority.

Whenever I feel those involved in a movie are anti-God, the film often doesn’t sit well, no matter how proficient they are at moviemaking. It’s kind of like eating a great meal while having to watch someone vomit.

Oh, yeah, they vomit in the film. Lots of times. Ummm-ummm-good.

Rush is rated R for obscene and profane language, nude sexual situations, and scenes of bloody injury and death.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Universal