DreamWorks has released a new full-length trailer and some high-resolution images for the upcoming Need for Speed movie.  Directed by Scott Waugh (Act of Valor), the film chronicles a cross-country race against time as a blue-collar mechanic (Aaron Paul) who was framed for manslaughter by a wealthy, arrogant ex-NASCAR driver (Dominic Cooper) sets out for revenge in a high-stakes underground racing tournament.  This new trailer plays up the revenge angle while also highlighting some genuinely thrilling race sequences, but I’m interested to see how much humor is layered throughout the film.  One of the keys to the success of the Fast & Furious franchise is that it’s fun and has increasingly embraced its outlandishness.  Waugh seems to be taking a more dramatic approach to racing in Need for Speed, but as we’ve seen on Breaking Bad, Paul certainly has comedic chops; hopefully some of that has the chance to shine through.

Hit the jump to check out the new trailer and images, and click here to read our recent interview with Paul, Waugh, and the film’s producers on the practical stunts.  The film also stars Imogen Poots, Kid Cudi, Ramon Rodriguez, Rami Malek, Harrison Gilbertson, Dakota Johnson, and Michael Keaton. Need for Speed opens in theaters on March 14, 2014.

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Here’s the official synopsis for Need for Speed:

DreamWorks Pictures’ “Need for Speed” marks an exciting return to the great car culture films of the 1960s and ’70s, when the authenticity of the world brought a new level of intensity to the action on-screen. Tapping into what makes the American myth of the open road so appealing, the story chronicles a near-impossible cross-country journey for our heroes — one that begins as a mission for revenge, but proves to be one of redemption. Based on the most successful racing video game franchise ever with over 140 million copies sold, "Need for Speed" captures the freedom and excitement of the game in a real-world setting, while bringing to life the passion for the road that has made our love of cars so timeless. 

The film centers around Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul), a blue-collar mechanic who races muscle cars on the side in an unsanctioned street-racing circuit. Struggling to keep his family-owned garage afloat, he reluctantly partners with the wealthy and arrogant ex-NASCAR driver Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper). But just as a major sale to car broker Julia Bonet (Imogen Poots) looks like it will save Tobey's shop, a disastrous race allows Dino to frame Tobey for a crime he didn’t commit, and sending Tobey to prison while Dino expands his business out west.

Two years later, Tobey is released and set on revenge — but he knows his only chance to take down his rival Dino is to defeat him in the high-stakes race known as De Leon — the Super Bowl of underground racing. However to get there in time, Tobey will have to run a high-octane, action-packed gauntlet that includes dodging pursuing cops coast-to-coast as well as contending with a dangerous bounty Dino has put out on his car. With the help of his loyal crew and the surprisingly resourceful Julia, Tobey defies odds at every turn and proves that even in the flashy world of exotic supercars, the underdog can still finish first.