--- title: "Rush: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/rush/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/rush" critics_score: 76 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Rush (2013): what the critics said Critics' score 76 from 10 reviews: 9 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics welcome Rush as an energetic, accessible account of the Hunt–Lauda rivalry, with enough character drama to engage viewers who have little interest in Formula One. Praise centres on Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl, with Brühl drawing particular attention, and on racing sequences that make speed and danger felt through Anthony Dod Mantle’s cinematography and the sound design. The recreation of 1970s racing also earns broad approval. Reservations concern how much depth survives the brisk storytelling, though the balance remains firmly positive. The New York Times praises Peter Morgan’s script, while Film Comment finds it schematic and dependent on national stereotypes. Little White Lies offers a cooler assessment of Ron Howard’s direction, finding competence without much distinction beyond the races. The Hollywood Reporter reverses that emphasis, valuing the sharply drawn leads but finding the racing merely serviceable and the supporting characters thin. ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 13 September 2013. The film finds unexpected angles and blasts its way to victory despite the challenges of the inspirational sports movie genre and Formula 1 subject matter. It singles out the cinematography by Anthony Dod Mantle for transforming the racing sequences into something visceral and existential. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/rush-film-review-8813912.html) ## Radio Times Rating 4/5. The critic praises the zippy biopic for capturing the rivalry between Hunt and Lauda. Strong performances and the glamour and danger of 1970s F1 are highlighted. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-7dd4t7/rush/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 2 September 2013. The critic calls the film exhilarating and gripping, with impressive direction and strong lead performances. The recreation of the 1970s F1 era and its energy stand out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/rush/5059869.article) ## Time Out — Dave Calhoun Rating 4/5. 10 September 2013. The critic finds the film a fun and tense dip into 1970s Formula 1. The immersive sound design and cockpit perspective are singled out as memorable strengths. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/rush-1) ## Film Comment — Jonathan Romney Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 September 2013. The critic finds the script schematic and reliant on national stereotypes but singles out the thrilling, well-shot racing sequences and Brühl's compelling performance as making the film engaging and vigorous even for non-fans. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/ron-howard-rush-review-chris-hemsworth/) ## Little White Lies — Oliver Lyttelton Rating 2/3/2. 12 September 2013. The critic views the film as competent but ultimately bland under Ron Howard's direction. The race sequences gain tension and kinetic energy from strong cinematography. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/rush) ## Empire — Ian Freer 2 September 2012. Impeccably crafted and smartly scripted, the film delivers broad, riveting drama on and off the track built around two superb lead performances. It singles out the portrayal of the contrasting personalities and philosophies of Hunt and Lauda for creating compelling rivalry and drama. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/rush-2-review/) ## Financial Times — Nigel Andrews 12 September 2013. The critic describes the film as outrageously enjoyable and giddy fun, highlighting its bromance elements, spectacle, and the magic of opposites between the leads, while acknowledging some embellishments of the true story. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/71ef55b8-1b9f-11e3-b678-00144feab7de) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan 19 September 2013. The critic finds 'Rush' a professionally made but ultimately mixed-breed drama that fails to fully thrill despite strong performances from Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl. He singles out Howard's polished but square Hollywood sensibility as at odds with the edgier story of rivalry the script aims to tell. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-rush-movie-review-20130920-story.html) ## Slant Magazine — Chris Cabin 23 September 2013. The critic observes that the film favors Hunt's swagger over Lauda's precision, praises the exciting and fun racing scenes, but faults the slower sequences as hurried and bland and the overall emphasis on surface thrills over deeper substance. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/rush/) ## The Guardian — Mark Kermode 14 September 2013. The critic calls Ron Howard's film a thrilling, populist take on the Hunt-Lauda rivalry that excels in its noisy, visceral race sequences and strong lead performances, especially Daniel Brühl's, while noting its formulaic, multiplex-friendly style that prioritizes broad appeal over depth. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/sep/15/rush-review-kermode) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy 3 September 2013. The critic praises the sharply etched lead performances by Hemsworth and Brühl as the rival drivers Hunt and Lauda and the film's engaging exploration of their contrasting personalities and rivalry. Supporting characters lack depth and the racing scenes are serviceable but not standout. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/rush-film-review-619675/) ## The Independent 14 September 2013. The critic describes it as rousing viewing that delivers thrills in the race sequences, but notes that these cannot fully disguise the cliché-ridden aspects of the screenplay. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/film-review-ron-howard-s-james-hunt-biopic-rush-8815098.html) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis 19 September 2013. The critic praises Ron Howard's film as an excitingly torqued drama that distills the thrill of Formula One racing into a clash of personalities between rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda. She singles out the strong script by Peter Morgan and the vivid cinematography by Anthony Dod Mantle for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/movies/rush-goes-inside-formula-one-and-two-of-its-titans.html) ## The Telegraph — David Gritten 13 September 2013. The critic praises the film as a thrilling, engaging Formula One story with exciting racing scenes, strong performances from Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl, and intriguing personal dynamics, making it accessible beyond hardcore fans. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10281663/Rush-review.html) ## Total Film — James Mottram 3 September 2013. Utterly gripping and a piston- and heart-pumping triumph, aided by punchy lead performances, an Oscar-worthy script and stunning footage. It singles out the visceral racetrack scenes recreated by Howard and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle, along with the character study of the two rivals. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/rush-1-review/) ## Variety — Peter Debruge 3 September 2013. Festival review. The critic hails Ron Howard's film as exhilarating and one of the great racing movies, elevated by compelling performances from Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl as rival drivers. He singles out the virtuoso filmmaking, dynamic racing sequences, and Hans Zimmer's score for making audiences feel alive in the theater. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/rush-review-ron-howard-1200596801/) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri 19 September 2013. The review commends the entertaining depiction of the grand character combat between the hedonistic Hunt and meticulous Lauda, with strong work from the leads, and highlights the beautiful, exciting racing sequences that emphasize danger and spectacle. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2013/09/movie-review-rush.html) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 9 September 2013. Festival review. The critic describes the Toronto premiere as a smash hit with enthusiastic audience response and standing ovations for the filmmakers and Niki Lauda. The review highlights the powerful story of the rivalry between Lauda and James Hunt as great human drama with strong Academy potential. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2013/09/toronto-ron-howards-rush-takes-victory-lap-at-emotional-fest-debut-screening-581590/) ## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff Rating B+. 25 September 2013. The review commends the thrilling racing scenes, strong performances by Hemsworth and especially Brühl, and the substantive story of rivalry and mutual inspiration, while noting minor issues with female characters and an unnecessary ending. Overall, it's a slick and rousing piece of entertainment. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-ron-howards-rush-starring-chris-hemsworth-daniel-bruhl-olivia-wilde-20130925/) ## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape Rating 4/5. 2 September 2013. The critic praises the film's engaging portrayal of the rivalry between Hunt and Lauda, highlighting the strong performances especially by Brühl, and the naturalistic direction without sentimentality. They note the exhilarating racing sequences and emotional depth. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/rush-review/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating B-. 19 September 2013. The critic finds Ron Howard revitalized, delivering strong performances from the leads and intense racing sequences that make the film a worthwhile ride. He singles out Daniel Brühl's scene-stealing turn as Niki Lauda for praise while complaining that Howard spoon-feeds the themes rather than trusting the audience. [Read the review](https://collider.com/rush-review/) ## Den of Geek — Seb Patrick Rating 4 out of 5. 2 September 2013. The critic praises the film's visceral racing sequences, sound design, and attention to detail as making it the best motorsport movie yet, while noting the narrative feels schizophrenic with underdeveloped off-track elements and some historical liberties. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/rush-review/) ## The Wrap 17 September 2013. The critic calls the film an exhilarating surprise and finds Ron Howard at his most electrifying. It singles out the extraordinary look, including the grainy 1970s cinematography and intimate close-ups, for praise while noting minor issues with pacing and score. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/rush-review-ron-howard-shifts-gears-with-a-sexy-stylish-racing-saga/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/rush.md