|
Plot? You're expecting a plot for a movie called Death Race? OK, here's the plot in a nutshell:
Psychos in prison race to the death in super-armored cars. And Jason Statham finds an inordinate amount of excuses to walk around either shirtless or in a tight wife-beater.
That's basically it. Now, if you really demand more info then fine, I'll oblige. The setting is Terminal Island - an Alcatraz-type island prison that consists of the vilest of
the vile criminals - rapists, murderers, Hollywood producers who greenlight dreck like Date Movie, etc.
The American economy has collapsed, and the future is bleak. Bloodlust is at an all-time high as people rush to the Internet to watch the most extreme race competition
imaginable. They're logging in to watch ... DUHN DUHN DUHN ... DEATH RACE! The rules are simple: win five events and you're set free, despite your rap sheet. Lose and
your brutal death is available online for everybody's entertainment.
So where does Jason Statham play into all of this? Right smack dab in the middle! He's a three-time speedway champion who Joan Allen frames for murder. Why does she do
this, you might ask? Because the crowd favorite (a masked driver named Frankenstein) is killed in a race, and Allen needs a plot contrivance to get a driver of Statham's
skill into the prison to take his place.
A whole lot of brutal, over-the-top race car mayhem ensues.
|
|
Loud. Fast. Intense. Insane. Lacking any real sense of plausibility. All words to describe a conversation with Johnny Betts' Uncle Larry. But these words also accurately
describe the experience you can expect to have if you sit down to watch Jason Statham's Death Race.
Come on, people. Let's be serious here. What exactly do you expect from a film called Death Race? Death. Race. Lots of death and lots of racing is involved, got it?
This is a movie where all the female prisoners look like they just stepped out of a photo shoot for Vogue magazine. The economy may have collapsed, but apparently they still
have the money to buy plenty of makeup and expensive hair products for the female population! Now, if you've ever seen real-life female prisoners (less feminine versions of
Rosie O'Donnell) then you know there's a big requirement that you suspend your disbelief.
Anybody thinking "girls' night out!" deserves any and all disappointment that ensues. This is a film with absolutely no misconceptions or false pretenses on what it is and what
it has to offer. Your best bet is to accept that story, acting, dialogue, and plot cohesion all take a back seat (man, I'm good), and you should just buckle up (I keep gettin'
better) and prepare for a high-speed, explosion-fueled joy ride (I don't know how I do it).
In general, I like Jason Statham. He's a cool cat who, for whatever reason, can't get over the hump that's preventing him from catapulting to "A-list action star" primetime.
Death Race isn't exactly a movie that'll elevate him to Die Hard-era Bruce Willis status, but it was much better than I expected, and his fans will speed home
satisfied.
I can picture a production meeting for the film: "All right guys, here's what we want to do - deliver a bunch of high-speed races, throw in tons of explosions and firepower, and
give the audience several gut-wrenching ooh and ahh death sequences." Well, guess what? Mission accomplished. You have to give the film credit for knowing its limitations and
making no failed effort to move beyond them.
Is it worth $9 to see on the big screen? I wouldn't go that far. But it's an adrenaline rush of a movie that will satisfy action fans who love a little cheese and don't have
a problem toning down their discernment every now and then.
|
|
- Based on the 1975 film Death Race 2000, starring David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone.
- Chip from Kate and Allie is in the film. I have no interest in ever learning his real name. He's Chip from Kate and Allie. That's it.
- Joan Allen was in All the Rage with Josh Brolin who was in Hollow Man with Kevin Bacon.
|
|
Ah, nope. There are a few "f" bombs (approximately 20-30 - less than I expected), as well as a few other profanities. There's no nudity except for a brief, long range shot of
Statham's butt. Some of the deaths are pretty brutal, and the races are intense. This is not a film for young and/or tender eyes.
|
|
No surprises here. Hate the trailer? Then avoid the film.
|
|
Death Race delivers exactly what you expect from a film called DEATH RACE! If you enjoy slick, B-movie action that intentionally avoids the finer points of plot and
acting then make this a matinee or a rental and you should be a happy customer.
|
|
