Death Race (2008)

Director:

Paul W.S. Anderson

Writers (WGA):

Paul W.S. Anderson (screenplay)
Paul W.S. Anderson (screen story)

Release Date:

22 August 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Get ready for a killer ride.

Plot:

Ex-con Jensen Ames (Statham) is forced by the warden of a notorious prison (Allen) to compete in our post-industrial world's most popular sport: a car race in which inmates must brutalize and kill one another on the road to victory. |

Plot Keywords:

Filmed Killing | Returning Character Killed Off | Burned Alive | Ejection Seat | Blood

US Showtimes:

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Cast

Jason Statham	...	Jensen Ames
Joan Allen	...	Hennessey
Ian McShane	...	Coach
Tyrese Gibson	...	Machine Gun Joe
Natalie Martinez	...	Case
Max Ryan	...	Pachenko
Jason Clarke	...	Ulrich
Frederick Koehler	...	Lists
Jacob Vargas	...	Gunner
Justin Mader	...	Travis Colt
Robert LaSardo	...	Grimm
Robin Shou	...	14K
Benz Antoine	...	Joe's Navigator #1
Danny Blanco	...	Joe's Navigator #2 (as Danny Blanco Hall)
Christian Paul	...	Joe's Navigator #3

Also Known As:

Death Race 3000 (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and language.

Runtime:

USA:89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

Ireland:16 | Singapore:NC-16 | USA:R CORRECT: REPLACE WITH: (certificate #44430) | Canada:18A (British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | UK:15 | Malaysia:18SG | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | USA:R | Canada:14A (Alberta)

Filming Locations:

Cité du Cinéma, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company:

Cruise/Wagner Productions

Trivia:

David Carradine, who starred in the original "Death Race 2000" plays the voice of Frankenstein in the opening scene.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Coach is describing the weaponry fitted to the car, he states that the guns on the hood are 30mm machine guns. A standard 30mm weapon (AN/GAU-8) mounted in a A-10 Thunderbolt II is described as about the size of a VW Bug (619 lbs, 252" long). The shells alone are 30mm x 173mm (over 6" long) and the recoil would push the car backwards even at full speed. Also, if the weapon were to be supplied with armor piercing rounds, they would penetrate through the vehicle (69mm of penetration at 500 meters).

Quotes:

[first lines]
Case: [while being shot at during Death Race] Damn it!

Movie Connections:

Follows Death Race 2000 (1975)

Pure f'cking insanity.

If I could describe this movie in one phrase it would be this: pure f'cking insanity. Everything from the action, to the plot, to the dialog, is absolutely ridiculous beyond comprehension. But...It doesn't really matter...Because Death Race may just have the craziest and most explosive action of the year.

Death Race knows what it is and does not disappoint. It doesn't take itself seriously and try to be existential and have a point. There is no point. Suspend reality (because even in desperate times, we ALL know that this will never happen), and sit back and enjoy the high octane adrenaline action. Few movies have as many explosions as this one. It's insane.

Don't worry about the acting, as there isn't much to act. Jason Statham delivers yet another nuanced and subtle performance, filled with rage. Although 85% of the film's action sees our characters in the steroid pumped racecars, true Statham fans should be pleased with the amount of hand to hand combat as well (a lot was kept out of the previews, so it was surprising). Tyrese Gibson gives us more of the same, while descending into a darker role with ease. It's basically as if his character from Waist Deep was murderous instead of heroic. Joan Allen is the lone real performer in this movie, and she provides quite the presence as the Warden of the prison.

Destined to become a cult classic just like the original, Death Race gives us some of the most exciting action of the year, while reminding us that we will never be as cool as Jason Statham. While the lack of iconic lines and characters is bothersome, the memorable action somewhat makes up for it. I do take points away from Death Race for being the most predictable movie of the year, and I'm not talking about the ending, which tries to be clever (*slaps Paul W.S. Anderson across the face*). I was able to predict lines of dialog, how action sequences would play out, and which characters would die. Actually, the latter one isn't that hard to figure out...

If you're looking for your typical mindless action vehicle that is sure to leave an explosive impression, Death Race will fit the bill. Don't expect greatness, because the film is all about low expectations.