FORD VS FERRARI REVIEW
Starring: Matt Damon and Christian Bale
Directed By: James Mangold (Logan, Walk the Line)
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 2 hours 32 minutes
Matt Damon and Christian Bale team up to tell the true story of Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles teaming up with Ford to defeat Ferrari in the 1966 version of the 24 hour long race at LeMans.The pair battle corporate structures, personal politics, and science along the way to achieve their goal.It’s rarely a story of smooth sailing, and frankly that would make for a terrible film.
Damon and Bale make a dynamic duo.Both deliver passionate performances.Damon’s Shelby is a man who knows how to play the game, knows when to fight and knows when to go along to get along.Bale’s Miles is a man whose window to succeed is quickly closing.He’s impatient.He’s ready to fight at all times.
The highlight of the movie for a lot of people will be the finale in Le Mans.The racing scenes towards the end of this movie are spectacular.Pulse pounding excitement.Filled with tension.
The performances are stellar as well.Maybe not award caliber, but impressive nonetheless.Damon and Bale are the stars, but the supporting cast is well rounded.Jon Bernthal as Lee Iacocca.Josh Lucas as Leo Beebee.And Tracy Letts as Henry Ford the second.
Ford vs Ferrari is really well done.It looks good.You believe everything that’s happening.But ultimately, it’s just too long.Running two and a half hours, it gives too many details.Watching the movie, I’m not sure what I would cut.Nothing feels inessential, but it’s far too detailed.
I didn’t really know much about the real events going in.I did know the ending, but that didn’t make it any less thrilling.Ford Vs Ferrari has the vibe of a movie that’s going to be on TNT every single weekend.A solid entry into the sports movie pantheon, but never enters that next level of greatness.
On a scale of “See It/Stream It/Skip It” – See It – I really liked the movie despite its length.Great performances, fun, entertaining throughout.
If you liked Rush, Days of Thunder, or Steve McQueen in LeMans you might like Ford vs Ferrari.It’s a total Dad movie.
3.5 out of 5 stars for Ford vs Ferrari.A compelling story w/ an embarrassment of riches for a cast, it features exhilarating race scenes, but is also too long-winded in its details. A fatal flaw that will keep it out of the winner's circle come awards season.