Days of Thunder

Premiere magazine predicted "Days of Thunder" would be this summer's No. 1 blockbuster, calling it "Top Gun" on wheels.

Whether it will be the dog days' biggest hit remains to be seen, but the "Top Gun" analogy is right on the money.

From choppy MTV-influenced editing to glossy, undeveloped characters — not to mention a cast of fine actors taking those empty roles — "Days of Thunder" is nothing more than "Top Gun" on the ground. So it's no surprise to learn that it comes from the same filmmakers — director Tony Scott and producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer.

Did I say filmmakers? How about film manufacturers?

"Days of Thunder," a minor soap opera with a top-of-the-line cast and some sensational racing sequences, has no more on its mind than providing a few exciting moments of no-brainer entertainment. And that's exactly what it does.

There's no sin in a movie that's just flat-out entertainment, but with some care this movie could have been much better — instead of just aspiring to be better.

But the question is, will this be enough to satisfy the audience?

Need we cite the grosses of "Top Gun" or "Cocktail"?

On the track, "Days of Thunder" is thrilling stuff, as director Scott puts the audience behind the wheel of stock cars barreling around racetracks at roughly 200 mph. (It's especially thrilling in 70mm — it's been awhile since Salt Lake City has had a first-run 70mm film.)

The scenes between races, however, are as dull as a PBS documentary on the history of accounting.

Unless you can savor the subtleties of Robert Duvall.

Oh sure, Tom Cruise is the star, but Duvall runs away with acting honors here. And he's a pleasure to watch.

Cruise has proven his worth as an actor in "The Color of Money," "Rain Man" and "Born on the Fourth of July." But "Days of Thunder" requires little of him, aside from posturing, and that's just about all he delivers.

Even Cruise's entrance in this picture is calculated: With great flourish he rides into view on a motorcycle, looking for all the world as if he's going to break into a new Top 10 rap tune or perhaps peddle a diet soft drink. From that moment to his final scene, the camera embraces Tom Cruise, Movie Star as he alternates looks of earnestness and poses of sincerity with that killer grin.

But I enjoyed most watching Duvall's little moments, investing gritty doses of reality into a character that is written paper-thin (by screenwriter Robert Towne, best-known for "Chinatown"). He has the role of the veteran racetrack mentor who will build Cruise's car and then work on building his character.

Cruise plays Cole Trickle . . . would I lie to you? — and darned if his character isn't the familiar hotshot with natural talent whose life is changed by a close friend's tragedy.

In this case he's driving stock cars, but the formula is so recognizable it might be used for a whole spate of future Cruise flicks — as a stockbroker, high-rise contractor, candy-wrapper or movie studio head.

In "Days of Thunder" Cruise has no experience or training but is somehow possessed with a natural racing ability. Duvall tries to rein in Cruise's recklessness — which is especially difficult when a competitor (Michael Rooker) keeps ramming Cruise's car into the wall on the track.

When he cracks up about halfway through the film, Cruise becomes afraid to drive — for a short time — and takes the opportunity to romance his brainy, ethical doctor (Australian actress Nicole Kidman, of "Dead Calm"). But she won't watch his macho antics on the racetrack. And she keeps her word — until the climactic race, of course.

Randy Quaid and Cary Elwes, of "Glory" and "The Princess Bride," are along for the ride, but Quaid has little to do and Elwes has nothing to do.

Michael Rooker fares better, creating a multilayered character who becomes Cruise's friend — though the latter element must be taken largely on faith. And there is some clever humor as Cruise and Rooker keep up their competition even when they are in wheelchairs and rental cars.

But the film's best moments belong to father-figure Duvall, who gets loads of humor and humanity out his character.

The screening I attended was preceded by four Paramount Pictures "trailers" (ads for upcoming movies), including "The Godfather, Part III." Seeing Duvall's talents squandered here made it all the more sad to note that he chose to make this picture instead of the third "Godfather" film.

Although, if he gets a percentage of this film, Duvall will probably never have a regret.

But "Days of Thunder" is really about Tom Cruise's relationship with his car — or maybe his relationship with himself.

That should be enough to ensure it will be a hit.

Perhaps the summer's No. 1 hit.

"Days of Thunder" is rated PG-13 for violence (car crashes galore), sex and brief nudity (Kidman in bed with Cruise) and a few scattered profanities, along with a tasteless gag about a prostitute in a cop uniform, which proves to merely be the setup for a reprisal later on.