Now Rating: Death Race
Jeff Mason
Issue date: 8/26/08 Section: A&E
It's that time of year again for the movie industry. The dead zone between the blockbuster-filled summer and the Thanksgiving feast that brings another helping of big budget flicks with a side of Oscar contenders. For now, movies like this week's "Death Race" will try to fill that void. Despite being a mess of blood and guts, "Death Race" didn't quite stick to the wall.
"Death Race" follows Jensen Ames (Jason Statham), a man who is imprisoned after being falsely accused for killing his wife. While in prison, he is propositioned by the warden (Joan Allen of "The Bourne Ultimatum") to partake in a gladiator-esque race for his freedom.
The movie plays out as one would expect a movie called "Death Race" would. We root for the good guy and his buddies who are surrounded by people constantly plotting against him. Ames is swarmed by "fellow" drivers and the warden herself on his path to victory.
The heart of the movie is, of course, the mayhem that happens on the racetrack. The sounds of engines revving, machine guns firing and the clashing of cars are no strangers to this movie. The race is split into three different parts, which means the action is spread out and even allows for some of the testosterone to be spent outside of the cars.
The destruction and carnage isn't excessive in a tongue and cheek manner, but still manages to pile up a handful of bodies and enough metal to build the foundation of a skyscraper. There are plenty of cars that land in the scrap heap and even a modified oil tanker fully decked out with enough fire power to clear the worst rush hour traffic. As an added bonus, each car is taken out in its own unique way, which means the chaos never gets boring.
Writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson (not to be confused with Paul Thomas Anderson of "There Will Be Blood") does a decent job behind the camera, but doesn't manage to do much with the pen. All of the characters are pure cut-outs, the plot is utterly predictable and the dialogue has its moments, none of which is more outrageous than the profanity-stricken line delivered by the three time Academy Award nominee Joan Allen involving defecating on a sidewalk.
In the end, there is something to like in the movie, but it is definitely not for everyone. Chances are, you already knew if you wanted to see this movie or not. Just like it said in the movie, don't expect more than "fast cars, pretty women."
3 out of 5 stars.
"Death Race" follows Jensen Ames (Jason Statham), a man who is imprisoned after being falsely accused for killing his wife. While in prison, he is propositioned by the warden (Joan Allen of "The Bourne Ultimatum") to partake in a gladiator-esque race for his freedom.
The movie plays out as one would expect a movie called "Death Race" would. We root for the good guy and his buddies who are surrounded by people constantly plotting against him. Ames is swarmed by "fellow" drivers and the warden herself on his path to victory.
The heart of the movie is, of course, the mayhem that happens on the racetrack. The sounds of engines revving, machine guns firing and the clashing of cars are no strangers to this movie. The race is split into three different parts, which means the action is spread out and even allows for some of the testosterone to be spent outside of the cars.
The destruction and carnage isn't excessive in a tongue and cheek manner, but still manages to pile up a handful of bodies and enough metal to build the foundation of a skyscraper. There are plenty of cars that land in the scrap heap and even a modified oil tanker fully decked out with enough fire power to clear the worst rush hour traffic. As an added bonus, each car is taken out in its own unique way, which means the chaos never gets boring.
Writer-director Paul W.S. Anderson (not to be confused with Paul Thomas Anderson of "There Will Be Blood") does a decent job behind the camera, but doesn't manage to do much with the pen. All of the characters are pure cut-outs, the plot is utterly predictable and the dialogue has its moments, none of which is more outrageous than the profanity-stricken line delivered by the three time Academy Award nominee Joan Allen involving defecating on a sidewalk.
In the end, there is something to like in the movie, but it is definitely not for everyone. Chances are, you already knew if you wanted to see this movie or not. Just like it said in the movie, don't expect more than "fast cars, pretty women."
3 out of 5 stars.
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