Movie Review: Death Race

In 1975 low-budget producer extraordinaire Roger Corman brought in director Paul Bartel to direct a movie called Death Race 2000, a cheapie exploitation flick with some political undertones. The film starred virtual unknown Sylvester Stallone and David Carradine, fresh from his walking off the set of television series Kung Fu. The resulting film became a cult favorite over the years. Here we are, more than thirty years removed from the release of said film that we are faced with a remake. However, when you look at the plot of this film, it does not bare much resemblance to the original, leading me to wonder why they chose to term it as a remake since it will do little more than tarnish the original, but I'm getting ahead of myself.

The retitled Death Race is the sort of movie that can give a movie like me a massive headache, and no that is not due to the excessive volume of the film. On one hand, I am a movie critic who wants every movie to be good, worthy of recommending, and offering something (however small) to the advancement of cinematic goodness. On the other hand, I am a movie fan who can enjoy the dregs that the industry has to offer, I have enjoyed my share of films that the majority of people do not care for or outright ignore. Can you guess where Death Race falls?

When comparing this version to the earlier one, there is not much that made it through to this new film. The names of the two main drivers and Frankenstein wearing a mask is about it. It is almost like Paul W.S. Anderson had this script bouncing around for a while and decided to rewrite it slightly to tie it in with the Corman film in order to use it as a promotional tool (or to avoid being sued for taking anything from the original). They even have Roger Corman on board as a producer.

By now I am sure you want to know what I think of the movie, right?

As the film opens, we are informed that the economy has collapsed and that crime has been on an exponential rise, leading to prisons being run by private corporations for profit, leading to caged death matches between inmates sold to a pay-per-view audience. When people get bored with cage fights, Death Race is introduced. Doesn't this make you the slightest bit interested in what is going on behind the scenes? Well, don't go expecting anything in depth. Actually, don't expect anything, this movie is not about that.

We then meet Jensen Ames (Jason Statham), recently laid off steelworker and former race car driver. He goes home to his wife and infant daughter, a masked man breaks in, and knocks Jensen out. When Jensen comes to, his wife is dead and he is the only suspect. In short order, he is sentenced to the prison known as Terminal Island, home of Death Race and run by the icy warden Hennessey (Joan Allen).

It is not by accident that Ames is sent here. He is to take over the mantle of Frankenstein, Death Race's fan favorite driver who has suffered so many disfiguring injuries that he wears a mask. Can you guess why they need Ames to wear the mask? I knew you did. Soon enough, Ames is behind the mask and on the track racing against Frank's biggest competitor, Machine Gun Joe (Tyrese Gibson), along with a number of other colorful characters.

There really is not much plot to speak of. There are the ratings desires of Hennessey and the reason she needs Ames behind the mask, then who really killed Ames' wife, and, of course, the budding relationships behind the prison walls. None of this really matters, all that matters are the explosions, car chases, and more whiz-bang-boom than you can shake a stick at.

Death Race has absolutely no depth, character motivations and actions defy logic, and when the end comes it just makes you shake your head, wondering what in the world they were thinking. This is not a movie that you can apply logic to, or expect anything worthwhile to come out of it. What it does do, and does well, is deliver a visceral experience. The car races, stunts, and explosions are all expertly delivered.

When it comes right down to it, I cannot and will not call this movie good. However, I will call it entertaining. Yes, the races play like some sort of video game, complete with icons needed to activate weapons, but it is explosive, filled with adrenaline, and even a little bit exciting. If you are looking for a big, loud, dumb action movie, this will certainly fill the bill, although it is no successor to Death Race 2000. When you aren't running over pedestrians for points, this is no Death Race.

Jason Statham ably handles himself in the lead role. I like this guy as an action star, he has a presence that I have not seen in an action star since the 80's, and that is a good thing. Ian McShane does a fine job as the wizened old mechanic, always ready with some advice. Tyrese Gibson is serviceable as the main opponent. Newcomer Natalie Martinez offers a high dose of sex appeal as navigator Case. Finally, Joan Allen is nicely over the top as Hennessey.

Bottomline. Not a good movie, never will be considered such, but it is enjoyable in a shallow way. It is fun in the way everything blows up, how it is unapologetic in its desire to offer cheap thrills. If you want cheap and fast, see this, if you want deep and meaningful, wait for something else.

Mildly Recommended.