When a racing movie hits, it hits hard. With Gran Turismo, which draws inspiration from the Playstation game as well as the real-life account of Jann Mardenborough. After two weeks of preview screenings, it opens wide on Friday and it’s a fantastic way to close out the summer movie season.

In the film, Archie Madekwe plays Jann, a skilled gamer who one day dreams of racing for real. When a marketing executive for Nissan (Orlando Bloom) pitches the idea of recruiting the best Gran Turismo players in the world for a shot at driving for the team, Jann is one of those selected. There, he competes with other players from around the world under the direction of Jack Salter (David Harbour).

After coming out on top in the school, he gets his shot. But can Jann prove he has what it takes to step out from behind the screen and into the cockpit? He’s put to the test by other drivers on the circuit as he fights to live out his dream.

This is based on the true story, so many will likely know how it plays out. More than that, if you’ve watched these type of sports films, you know how it’s going to play out. But here it isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey. And this is a journey that’s well worth taking.

I love the way director Neill Blomkamp tells the story. The use of effects to build a car around Jann while he’s playing the game, and then again to strip a car away as he’s leaning into his skills is creative. The racing sequences are thrilling and well-crafted, too. We feel the tension of being in the cockpit with Jann as he tries to achieve success on the track.

I enjoyed the pacing and the execution of the story as well. This is one that has you on the edge of your seat, particularly the last hour as we move into Jann’s career on the track. It leans into some familiar troupes of the genre but executes them at a high level.

A great deal of the appeal also comes down to the performances. Madekwe is winning as Jann. He’s an engaging lead that you can’t help but root for throughout the story. But my favorite performance was from Harbour, who excels in the mentor role. He gives one of my favorite supporting performances of the year.

This has been a summer of some really engaging and excellent films, and this is the perfect way to end that season. I loved the action, the story and the performances. This is one of my favorite films of the year so far.

Gran Turismo opens nationwide on Friday.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.