August 21st, 2008
Death Race
RATING: 
To say that I’m not the target audience for Death Race is a bit like saying that Ray Lewis is not the target audience for Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Suffice it to say, I held up my end of the bargain: I hated this loud, violent, retrograde movie, a remake of the Roger Corman sci-fi B-movie Death Race 2000.
The year, curiously enough, is 2012. (A sly joke that the world will be radically altered in four years? Or, more likely, the byproduct of a budget too low to get properly futuristic?). Corporations have taken over the prison system and are staging vicious car races to the death for online and television viewing pleasure. The evil prison warden, played by a seriously slumming Joan Allen, presides over the event in power suits and a scowl. Any resemblance to former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is strictly intentional. Ugh.
Into this mix comes former race car drive Jenson Ames (Jason Statham), who is accused of killing his wife. (We know it was the prison warden’s henchman who actually did the deed.)
A few words about Jason Statham: This guy is turning into a major movie star and I simply don’t see the appeal. Bald, pumped up, and ready to rumble, he’s like a (British) Bruce Willis, but without the charm. In the last two films I’ve seen him in (this and The Bank Job, which was pretty great, by the way), he’s been paired with an impossibly fresh-faced wife, as if to convince the audience that he really is a sweet guy beneath that blandly stoic macho routine. I’m not buying it.
You can’t really criticize Death Race for being dumb and cheesy. It’s trying to be a B movie. But last year, there was a similarly slick and in-your-face action flick called Shoot Em Up. At least that film had a sense of irony about itself, some flair, some originality. Death Race is grimly efficient. Even its best parts—Ian McShane as Ames’s world-wise head mechanic, nicknamed Coach—feel half-hearted. McShane gives it a good go, but the dialog he’s contending with (“I love this sport!”) is lame at best. (And don’t even get me started on the inmates from a woman’s prison who arrive—all legs and cleavage and leather—to help the cons in the race).
This is somebody’s idea of a good time. But it sure ain’t mine. And, if I may be so presumptious, it ain't yours either.
4:47 pm
Categories: film reviews
Well i really enjoyed the movie and so did other South African watchers. i rate this movie 10/10 hands down, many people got there opinions and well so do 56 people of South African citizens i asked that watched the movie on the same day (56 out of 59).
100% good movie.!!!.:L
to say this film was anything least than an excellent typical "guy" film would be a terribly inaccurate criticism. Most people i have asked in Britain have thought it an excellent example of high octane thrill film and it doesnt dissapoint. The acting is slightly rusty however the action involved highly compensates 10/10
Excellent Movie....
And a comment to the critics long ass opinion....ITS A MOVIE!!
Who Cares if its weird cause the worlds gonna be drastically changed in four years.
Seriously?
This is such a great action movie and To prove I'm not only saying its good because I'm a man I'll tell you that every woman I know who has seen this has loved it too including my mother who normally hates movies like this.
i likes the movie. was it far fetched? yeah a little bit. but so what the world was gunna change quikly. have you seen i am legend? everyone dies in like a week. so overall, 8/10 ..
I have never read such a lousy evaluation/critic of a movie before... if u are going to judge movies for their accuracy or how "close to reality" they are, then don't even bother watching any.. it's called acting! (none of it is real!) Besides jason statham is suuuuper hot, so he might as well continue turning into a major movie star 'cause i expect to see a lot of him in any other hot movie in the future, just like the ones he's done before or been a part of. (i'd like to read what u have to say about -The Transporter- and -The Italian Job- for e.g)
good critic/evaluation this film is bad nothing can happen in real
I agree , the film was amazing , very good performance excellent action . It sort of reminds me '300' cause of the excellent photography.
I initial though that this was another "MAD MAX" clone, like the thousands that have been made. I hate MAD MAX.
Fortunately it is not MAD MAX. IT is unique , refreshing and extremely entertaining.
IT pains me to seing people bashing a movie just because is action ,sci fi , horror or fantasy. I recently saw "ROAD OF REVOLUTION" with Lonardo Di Caprio and Kate Blanchet , both very very good actors but the script sucked big time and made no sense. Actully this movie makes alot more sense.
I do not care how "serious" a movie it looks if it suck it suck if it blows it blows. And this film is simply amazing, one of the best movies I have ever seen.
This movie was freaking amazing!!!
I am a girl and i love action movies and this has to be my favourite
most movies aren't suppose to be real they are suppose to entertain you and make you think for yourself. not many movies these days are anything real. you need to really open up and look at the quality of the movie rather then the story. this is hands down the best movie i have ever seen and who ever made this STUPID write up about it needs to be fired!
this is by far the best movie i have ever seen i dont care what other people say an opinion is an opinion...
Thanks for stating the fact that you're not the target audience for this film first because that justifies the totally outrageous rant that is your review.
commenting usually isnt my thing, but ive spent an hour on the site, so thanks for the info