Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possible

[Captain Craig]

I went to a sneak showing of Death Race on Tuesday night and found it to be actually quite entertaining and enjoyable. Entertaining in that going in one should know what type movie from the previews they are trying to make. In that respect they succeed in doing just that.

They made a good action car race movie while not being totally full of cheese. There was a dose or two but they tempered that early.

My grade: B

Basic summary
Terminal Island, New York: 2020 ( I swear the movie states 2012, whatever). Overcrowding in the U.S. penal system has reached a breaking point. Prisons have been turned over to a monolithic Weyland Corporation, which sees jails full of thugs as an opportunity for televised sport. Adrenalized inmates, a global audience hungry for violence and a spectacular, enclosed arena come together to form the 'Death Race', the world's biggest, most brutal sporting event. Five-time NASCAR champion Jensen Ames is a man who has become an expert at survival. After eight years of hard time, he has only six weeks before reuniting with his family. But when Weyland demands a driver to headline the big game, Ames is forced to submit. Donning the costume of mythical rider Frankenstein, the racer becomes an instant crowd favorite, an unequaled sporting superstar. His face hidden by a metallic black mask, one convict will be put through a brutal three day challenge, with the trophy being the ultimate prize: freedom. The only catch is that he must survive a gauntlet of the most vicious criminals in this post-industrial wasteland to claim it. Driving a monster car outfitted with machine guns, flamethrowers and grenade launchers, Ames must now kill or be killed to win the most treacherous spectator sport on Earth: 'Death Race'.

Starring: Jason Statham, Tyrese Gibson, Joan Allen

I never saw Death Race(2000) so I can't compare it on that level.
The movie had elements of Escape from New York, Shawshank Redemption and Fast & Furious. I liked it more than I had planned but I admit my expectations were low even knowing what I was going in for. When my passes showed up in the mail this movie was on my list of future Netflix movies. While I will not endorse this as worth your $10(meaning you won't miss much on your tv) it does have at least one cool big screen worthy moment.
Ironically the preview for Fast & Furious 4 is slated to run attached to this pic. We didn't get it at the sneak, we got a movie called Role Models which is comdey that looks good.

So did you see it? Comments? What do you grade it?

 

[Vic Sixx]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

Haven't seen it yet, but I loved the original. And from the looks of this one, it reminds me more of the videogame "Twisted Metal".

 

[Aragorn]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

So do they explain how giving the most dangerous criminals a bunch of weapons at their disposal DOESN'T result in them trying to kill the guards and escape? Or is it not that type of movie where you ask that question?

 

[Captain Craig]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

So do they explain how giving the most dangerous criminals a bunch of weapons at their disposal DOESN'T result in them trying to kill the guards and escape? Or is it not that type of movie where you ask that question?

They actually explain that. I know I put spoilers in the thread title but what the hell I'll code it.

Spoiler: How do the guns work on the cars?

The cars are activated remotely with their weapons. Each weapon system has a kill switch that can activated at any time. The drivers don't get ammo till just before race time. Also they are on a big island so even if something happened they've got a long swim ahead, at which point they'd be recaptured. This plays out in the finale so I think its why its explained.

Also as a tie in to others reading this, not Aragorn obviously, check out the GBOW thread. You may find an incentive there for Death Race as well.

 

[Harvey]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

I love the Washington Post's review of this film.

Before execrating "Death Race" as a cultural abomination with no redeeming value, let's take note of several of its significant technical accomplishments. It may not be possible to make a film with less plot and more action. And the testosterone saturation level has also been pushed to the very limits of earthly possibility. If a movie could drag its knuckles on the ground, "Death Race" would leave eight little tracks in the sand.

I'm glad the director of Alien vs Predator and Mortal Kombat continues to delight.

...Yeah, not seeing this one in theatres.

 

[Samurai8472]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

I can't believe Joan Allen is doing a movie like this

 

[Daedalus12]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

B-

Hearing Joan Allen shouting "cocksucker, don't fuck with me or we'll see who shits on the sidewalk" not only once but twice with the second time being a replay at the end of credits certainly had me all giddied up. I mean seriously that was just so funny the way she said it. The action was brutal and constantly slammed onto your face during the entire movie. There is one rather grotesque scene (though not shown fully) of a hot Asian chick getting minced up by a gigantic spinning spike attached to a wheel. Just imagine what happens if you dump a person into a giant blender. Paul Anderson seems to like the spike on the wheel. It also appeared in his previous video game flick Resident Evil: Extinction. Jason Statham was at his best. You know kicking ass with as little dialogue as possible. When he did spoke it was his usual menacing cockney accented one liners. Finally Natalie Martinez was fucking smoking especially in the ending scene where she wore that really short and tight jean shorts.

 

[Trekker4747]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

The OP's plot description doesn't seem to be accurate as:

Spoiler: In the movie

Statham's character is "framed"/setup for killing his wife to be put in the prison to take the place of Frakenstein -a popular racer. He's "promised" to be let free and reunited with his infant daughter if he wins.

But maybe I misunderstood something.

Anyway, I saw it tonight and I was entertained and thrilled and there were some great moments were I clapped and had to smile. Like when the two lead racers "trick" the attack tanker to activate a "racer kill" "powerup" in the road. I loved how the "powerups" were handled. I've played enough racing video-games to just get a kick out of it.

Just a fun movie, Natalie Martinez was DAMN hot in this movie and well worth the "price of admission" on her own. Joan Allen as the warden was great too.

I liked "Frakentstein's" pit-crew (which, naturally, has to include a nerdy guy inexplicably in prison -and surviving) and the overall dystopic/apocolpytic feel of the movie. Reminded me of countless cheesy 80s movies, not the least of which being Running Man -the movie follows a very similar plot to that one, infact.

Lots of funny and over-the-top deaths and is just generally a fun movie.

My own complaint is on the fliming of the action scenes, especially inside the cars, which was a little too tight, shakey and... "Michael Bay-ish" for me.

But overall, I had fun. I'd give it a B.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

So unlike the original, this one isn't actually a cross-country race?

 

[Gatekeeper]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

The OP's plot description doesn't seem to be accurate as:

Spoiler: In the movie

Statham's character is "framed"/setup for killing his wife to be put in the prison to take the place of Frakenstein -a popular racer. He's "promised" to be let free and reunited with his infant daughter if he wins.

But maybe I misunderstood something.

No, you didn't misunderstand anything. The movie company lackey that wrote the plot description apparently didn't see the movie s/he was writing the description for.

It happens now and then with books, but this is the first time I've seen it so blatantly wrong when it comes to a movie.

Gatekeeper

P.S. Oh, and I gave "Death Race" a solid "B" rating — mindless, fun, entertainment.

 

[Small White Car]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

I'm having trouble understanding why any of you would go and see this over simply buying the original on DVD.

Now, the average person, I understand how they might not know about it. But this is nerd-central. Everyone here really ought to know better.

 

[Trekker4747]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

I'm having trouble understanding why any of you would go and see this over simply buying the original on DVD.

Now, the average person, I understand how they might not know about it. But this is nerd-central. Everyone here really ought to know better.

It looked cool, I like Statham and chick was hot.

 

[Trekker4747]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

So unlike the original, this one isn't actually a cross-country race?

No. The racers are prisoners promised freedom if they win 5 races. The prison is a corporate-ran one on an island and the race is broadcast as a "reality show", seeming over the internet or PPV TV. The race takes place in three segments over three days, between segments the racers are taken back to their cells/their pits to fix their cars. I kind of wish it was closer to original but, alas.

It was still fun.

Oh, and "Fast and Furious" with Vn Diesel looks promising.

 

[Aragorn]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

I don't plan to see this, but it looks like Spielberg compared to what The Asylum has offered up to mockbuster it. I present to you... Death Racers! With a digital camera and a couple free weekends, you too can be in the moviemaking business.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

The OP's plot description doesn't seem to be accurate as:

Spoiler: In the movie

Statham's character is "framed"/setup for killing his wife to be put in the prison to take the place of Frakenstein -a popular racer. He's "promised" to be let free and reunited with his infant daughter if he wins.

But maybe I misunderstood something.

No, you didn't misunderstand anything. The movie company lackey that wrote the plot description apparently didn't see the movie s/he was writing the description for.

It happens now and then with books, but this is the first time I've seen it so blatantly wrong when it comes to a movie.

That and, unless they're making up a completely new Terminal Island, it's actually divided between the cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach, not New York. It even has a federal penitentiary on it, so I can't imagine why they would create another Terminal Island with a prison on it just for the movie.

Basic summary
Terminal Island, New York: 2020 ( I swear the movie states 2012, whatever). Overcrowding in the U.S. penal system has reached a breaking point. Prisons have been turned over to a monolithic Weyland Corporation, which sees jails full of thugs as an opportunity for televised sport.

I do like the Weyland Corporation (as in Weyland-Yutani) reference though.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

I'm having trouble understanding why any of you would go and see this over simply buying the original on DVD.

Now, the average person, I understand how they might not know about it. But this is nerd-central. Everyone here really ought to know better.

It looked cool, I like Statham and chick was hot.

Jason Statham would, IMHO, be the only reason to see this movie. He is cool enough to have "facts" websites about him like they do for Jack Bauer and Chuck Norris.

 

[chardman]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

I'm watching it now. (Don't ask how.) Just started in fact. I'm not 100% sure, but the voice of the pre-Statham Frankenstein at the beginning sure sounds like David Carradine. Anyone know if that's the case? (Just checked IMDB and the "real" Frankenstein isn't credited.)

 

[Captain Craig]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

The OP's plot description doesn't seem to be accurate as:

Spoiler: In the movie

Statham's character is "framed"/setup for killing his wife to be put in the prison to take the place of Frakenstein -a popular racer. He's "promised" to be let free and reunited with his infant daughter if he wins.

But maybe I misunderstood something.

No, you didn't misunderstand anything. The movie company lackey that wrote the plot description apparently didn't see the movie s/he was writing the description for.

Hah! I confess I didn't feel up for writing a summary so I stole that one from Yahoo! Movies. The only part that jumped out at me as I posted it was the incorrect date, which I bolded with some commentary.
Shame on me. Sorry about that guys.

 

[Harvey]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

I'm watching it now. (Don't ask how.) Just started in fact. I'm not 100% sure, but the voice of the pre-Statham Frankenstein at the beginning sure sounds like David Carradine. Anyone know if that's the case? (Just checked IMDB and the "real" Frankenstein isn't credited.)

A Google search repeatedly finds articles stating he has a "cameo," but they don't say what it is.

 

[TGTheodore]

Re: Death Race: Movie Discussion, Review, Grading ***SPOILERS*** possi

I'm having trouble understanding why any of you would go and see this over simply buying the original on DVD.

DVD = TV screen
Current movie = BIG BIG screen and great sound

Were the original re-released in the movie theaters I'd go see it there. Big, dumb, loud movies are not meant to be squashed in one's living room.

BTW, it was just the type of movie I was looking for when I saw it.

--Ted