Days of Thunder Review

Days of Thunder


Release Date: 13th September 1990 - Australia


Production Companies
Paramount Pictures
Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Distribution
Paramount Pictures Australia


Genre: Action/Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 101 minutes


Budget: $55,000,000

Box Office Gross: $157,920,733 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
A young hot-shot racer named Cole Trickle enters NASCAR racing after being spotted by a used car salesman, Tim Daland. After proving his talent,

he's teamed up with legendary

former crew chief and car builder Harry Hogge to race for the Winston Cup in the Daytona 500. However, Cole has a short temper, which gets him into trouble. When a fiery crash nearly ends his career, Cole must turn to a beautiful doctor to help regain his nerve and find the courage to get back into the race and win.

Cast
Tom Cruise - Cole Trickle
Robert Duvall - Harry Hogge
Nicole Kidman - Dr. Claire Lewicki

Randy Quaid - Tim Daland

Cary Elwes - Russ Wheeler
Michael Rooker - Rowdy Burns
Fred Thompson - Big John
John C. Reilly - Buck Bretherton
J.C. Quinn - Waddell
Caroline Williams - Jennie Burns
Donna W. Scott - Darlene
Chris Ellis - Harlem

Hoogerhyde
John Griesemer - Len Dortort
Barbara Garrick - Lauren

Daland
Leilani Sarelle - Female

Highway Patrol Officer

Nick Searcy - Highway Patrol Officer

Margo Martindale - Donna
Gerald R. Molen - Dr. Wilhaire (Cameo)

Jim Crowther - Dr. Crowther

Don Simpson - Aldo Benedetti (Cameo)

Daniel D. Greenwood - ESPN Announcer (Cameo)

Jerry Punch - Himself (Cameo)

Neil Bonnett - Himself (Cameo)

Harry P. Gant - Himself (Cameo)

Rusty Wallace - Himself (Cameo)

Richard Petty - Himself (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Bob Jenkins - Daytona Track

Announcer (Voice) (Uncredited)

Crew
Director - Tony Scott

Story - Tom Cruise
Story/Screenplay - Robert Towne
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager - Gerald R. Molen
Producers - Don Simpson and

Jerry Bruckheimer

Casting Director - David Rubin
Racing Consultant - Daniel D. Greenwood

Race Car Driver and Advisor - Greg Sacks

Technical Advisors - Rick Hendrick,

Harry Hyde, Jimmy Johnson and

Jerry Punch

Art Directors - Benjamín Fernández

and Thomas E. Sanders

Set Decorator - Thomas L. Royden

Costume Designer - Susan Becker

Costume Supervisors - James W. Tyson

and Winnie D. Brown
Director of Photography - Ward Russell

Additional Photography - Charles Mills

Camera Operators - Anthony Gaudioz,

Michael Genne and Aaron Pazanti

First Assistant Director - James W. Skotchdopole

Hi-Speed Camera Car/Stunt Driver (Uncredited) -

Allan Padelford

Stunt Coordinator - Gary McLarty

Race Car Coordinator - Steve Boyd

Special Effects Coordinator - Thomas R. Ward
Film Editors - Chris Lebonzon, Billy Weber,

Robert C. Jones, Bert Lovitt, Michael Tronick

and Stuart Waks

Associate Editor - Lauren A. Schaffer

First Assistant Editor - Christian Wagner

Supervising Sound Editors - Cecelia Hall

and George Watters II

Sound Effects Recording and Additional

Effects - John P. Fasal

Sound Effects Recordists - Ezra Dweck

and Ken J. Johnson

Re-Recording Mixers - Rick Kline,

Donald O. Mitchell and Kevin O'Connell

Additional Re-Recording Mixers -

Jeffrey J. Haboush and Greg P. Russell

Music - Hans Zimmer

Guitar Performances: Instrumental Score -

Jeff Beck

Music Orchestrator and Conductor -

Shirley Walker

Music Consultant for the Album - Kathy Nelson

Awards

1991 Academy Awards
Best Sound - Charles M, Wilborn, Donald O. Mitchell,
Rick Kline and Kevin O'Connell (Nominated)


Review

Remember in 1986 when Top Gun came out in cinemas? It became an ultimate hit for four famous people who have since worked so hard from their glorious movie days, proving themselves as movie titans. These legendary men are producers Jerry Bruckheimer and the late Don Simpson, director Tony Scott and superstar Tom Cruise. Four years after Top Gun, they showcased another motion picture that was also successful at the box office called DAYS OF THUNDER. This film shares the spirit and story of Top Gun and is pulled off nicely in its similarities. The film even portrays NASCAR racing, which accurately fits the high-production values. Some racing fans and motorists claim that the movie DAYS OF THUNDER is unrealistic. Mainly, it has something to do with the inaccuracies and the driving in some scenes, including several cars that bump, rub and smash each other on the track.

As usual, Cruise's performance is first-class. It helps that he co-wrote the movie's story. There is decent acting from other actors like Robert Duvall, Michael Rooker, Cary Elwes and Tom's future wife/now-ex Nicole Kidman. Another notable aspect is the burgeoning chemistry between Cruise and Kidman, which occurred in real life. In addition to this entertaining thrill ride package, DAYS OF THUNDER rewards moviegoers with racing sequences that plummet the action. Hans Zimmer's good music score also drives the film. Pardon the pun!

While one short of a victory lane, DAYS OF THUNDER is a solid film that many race-lovers will be thrilled by its adrenaline impact. Stirring up their passion for motorsport, they might spare a few dollars to grab the movie of its DVD or Blu-ray package, kick back in their lounge and enjoy this memorable action-packed racing classic.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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