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Death Race (2008)

Time Out rating

Average user rating

8 reviews

Synopsis

Jason Statham stars as ex-NASCAR racer turned prison inmate Jensen Ames, forced by a cruel post-apocalyptic regime to race to the death against his fellow cons. A loose remake of the legendary Stallone classic ‘Death Race 2000’, the film is directed by Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil) and also stars ‘Lovejoy’ Ian McShane and noted actress Joan Allen as the sadistic warden. A bonecrunching, high octane futuristic action thriller, ‘Death Race’ is one for fans of ‘Mad Max’ and ‘The Transporter’.

Movie review

From Time Out London

Since all Paul WS Anderson’s films (‘Resident Evil’, ‘AVP’ etc.) are video-game-inflected compendia of his favourite ’70s films, a remake of Paul Bartel’s violent exploitation movie ‘Death Race 2000’ (1975) as a futuristic ‘reality’ TV show makes perfect sense. The same cannot be said for the MOT-failure of a plot, which is in constant danger of having its wheels come off.
Bullet-headed action man Jason Statham (above) launches himself fearlessly into his role as steel worker Jensen Ames, framed for murder by Joan Allen’s elegant prison governor, who finds himself taking over the role of masked racer and audience favourite, ‘Frankenstein’.

The deal is, win five races, go free; but first Ames has to use his driving skills and some serious firepower to defeat cartoon villains with nicknames such as Machine Gun Joe and The Grimm Reaper. It’s brainless fun, but while Anderson’s brilliant staging of the flesh-ripping stunts surpasses Bartel’s cheap thrills, this update lacks the sardonic wit and satirical bite of the Corman-produced version.

Author: Nigel Floyd

Time Out London Issue 1988, Sept 25 - October 1

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User reviews of this film

Thomas Noctor said...

Posted on Aug 07 2009 16:21 Not too bad for a little boy racer film expected alot worse better than Fast And Furious crap.

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Brad said...

Posted on Mar 12 2009 14:33 what a legendary movie deinatly the best i have ever seen !!

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Graeme Kirkham said...

Posted on Oct 15 2008 13:57 quality racing film, better than fast and the furious, jason is a mint actor 7/10

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Fahim said...

Posted on Oct 02 2008 13:59 This Movie Is Sick

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Muthukumar said...

Posted on Sep 29 2008 13:35 Fast pace manly film, Concept is more related to the movie 'Condemned'. But would be a very good non disappointing Jason statham movie.

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Marshall.. ;) said...

Posted on Sep 28 2008 17:30 havent seen this yet but by the write ups i think ill give it a miss :)

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rogerrabbit said...

Posted on Sep 27 2008 17:55 Yet another re-make of an already piss poor original . 30yrs on and it even louder. Not even worth downloading !
But for the people who like crashes pointless limited story and type cast acting ...well its a must

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Steve said...

Posted on Sep 25 2008 10:22 The original Deathrace 2000 film of 1974 was more like the cartoon "Wacky Races" but with controversial British director Paul W.S. Anderson at the wheel it's become what Mad Max 2 should've been. This loosely based remake is almost devoid of plot and characterisation as expected but if you're after hardcore industrial carnage you won't be disappointed. For petrol-heads only.

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