I’m one of those people who has never really been “into” cars.  So when Rush started making the rounds, I thought to myself, meh.  I’m an idiot.  Because Rush is a jaw-dropping thrill ride of a movie.  It’s the kind of film that gets you this-freakin’-close to the action and never pulls away.  You’re a blade of grass next to the track.  A mechanic in the pit hustling to get his drive back in the race.  A bird that gets an all-too good look at horrifying, tragic crashes that can hurt, maim or kill race car drivers.  At a little over two hours, I worried that this film would become a snoozefest.  But I needn’t have worried; in terms of cinematography, editing and sound, Rush will be the film to beat at this year’s Oscars.  And don’t be surprised if stars Daniel Brühl and Chris Hemsworth get nods as well.

Rush is about the on-and-off track rivalry between real-life Formula 1 racers Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl, Inglorious Basterds) and James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth, The Avengers).  Now, this is where the ol’ “Based On A True Story” thing gets trotted out.  Because in real life, Lauda and Hunt formed a friendship even though they were rivals.  But director Ron Howard needed a bit of oomph to the story — because really, without a spark in the story nobody would pay attention with all the glorious cinematic racing going on — so here Lauda is a focused, socially inept nerd, and Hunt is the oh-so-sexy Id in a tracksuit.  The film follows these two from their starts in Formula 3 racing (a lower tier) to their competition for the World Championship in 1976.  A competition that was all the more spectacular because just six weeks earlier Lauda had barely survived a devastating car crash that left him severely burned.  The man lost his eyelids, and yet six weeks later, vroom!  Kinda makes not wanting to get up and go to work because traffic sucks seem pithy in comparison.

There are other characters in the film, including love interests for Lauda (Alexandra Maria Lara as Marlene Lauda) and Hunt (Olivia Wilde as Suzy Miller).  But these folks definitely feel like bit players.  The stars of the film are Brühl, Hemsworth, and those magnificent cars.  Gear junkies will love the start of this film, as Brühl breaks down cars to get ‘em seconds faster and pounds lighter.  It’s fascinating even for someone like me, who can’t replace a windshield wiper without breaking into a sweat.  Oh, and let’s give a groovy peace sign to the costuming in this film.  From wrap dresses and leisure suits to hot pants and guys with shirts open to their navels (don’t forget the turquoise necklace!), this film nails the 70s.

It also gets the soundtrack right too: Little Stevie Winwood, David Bowie, Thin Lizzy, Jimmy Cliff, Slade and many more make the grooves fit right in with the twists and turns on the track.  No, there’s no Eric Clapton on this soundtrack; you’re getting confused with the 1991 movie of the same name that made “Tears In Heaven” a radio staple.  But instead?  Who doesn’t love Bowie’s “Fame”?  Yeah, that’s right baby.

Speaking of tracks (bada-ching!), Howard didn’t shy away from the dangers of Formula 1.  There’s blood, pain and horror along with the sweet successes.  In one scene, a man is carted away, his leg open to bone (excellent FX, by the way).  In another, a racer literally loses his head during a practice round.  And of course there’s Lauda’s terrible accident.  That lends a gravitas to the film beyond it’s story of rivalry and racing.

Though there seem to be some seriously amazing movies coming to us this awards season, definitely make time for Rush.  It’ll be the most fun you’ll have watching an Oscar contender this year.