A whole new prison experience!
Added 1/23/2010
As many of you may have suspected, this is a remake (of sorts) of Roger Corbin's cult classic Death Race 2000. Of course, this one has some twists to it. First off, in the original the drivers were all competing for prize $$ (if I remember correctly?). In this one, they're lifers in prison whose only chance of getting out is to win 5 races.
Like the original, the "racing" is filled with violence, although the present version has much more intense violence than the campy violence of the 1970s flick. Also like the original, women ride along too, only in this one they're the navigators for the men. They, of course, are female inmates who have the capability of "punching out" of the vehicle should things go badly. Not too surprisingly, the navigators are all smokin' hot as the deathrace is broadcast on PPV & video-streamed on the Internet. Hot babes + souped up cars + violence drives up ratings!
Unfortunately, the present movie lacks a staple of Roger Corbin movies which the original did not omit: gratuitous nudity. That's too bad, especially as they made an Unrated version. But, guess you can't have everything.
Jason Statham is one of the better action hero actors out there now (most of the others are too old and / or have retired, and John Cena can't act). If you like Statham movies in general, you're bound to like this one. If you enjoyed the original Deathrace, then this one is worth a look. Enjoy, but watch out for the flying bullets!
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A remake? Hardly.
Added 12/31/2009
I immediatly rolled my eyes when my roommate came back from Blockbuster with this as one of his movies.
"You rented me a remake!?"
"Trust me, its not".
"You know how much I like Roger Corman films, especially Death Race 2000". I told him.
"You'll see".
I was prepared to see another classic film utterly destroyed by the remake-hatchet, and to my suprise, I was wrong.
In short,its an enjoyable adventure romp with some good and some bad things of the movie.
1)PLOT - Laid-off steelworker gets framed for killing his wife. Kinda cliche since that kind of plot has been used numerous times since 'The Fugitive'.
Still, it works for the reason later on. 85% Rating.
2)VEHICLES - I'm a Twisted Metal fan(not of 3rd and 4th installment), and the way the cars(and truck) were designed reminiced of this game series. Very nicely done, especially the killer rig. Awesome! 100% Rating.
3)CHARACTERS - Didn't need the "showgirls" theme with the navigators leaving the bus. Tasteless.
The loud-mouth from '2Fast&2Furious' as Machine Gun Joe. Interesting choice.
'Frank' was nothing more than a mask. Okay I guess, but rather lame here as well.
The warden I feel redeemed things here. A look of an angel with a devil hidden inside. Excellent character from beginning to end. 40% Rating.
4)ACTION - The fight scene in the cafeteria reeked of 'Shawshank Redemption'.
The vehicular action overall was great, aside from the maneuver of driving backwards ala '2Fast2Furious'. That was lame. 75% Rating.
OVERALL -
I know most(if not all) see this film as a remake of 'Death Race 2000'. To me,its not. This film seemed inspired by the Roger Corman film. There is a lot of things that seperate it from that film. Character background. An actual plot - Blackmail, backstabbing, revenge, and some drama mixed in nicely.
However, I don't see this film ever becoming a classic. Only as an enjoyable action film. Its definatly not a perfect film. There are some things that could be removed, but everyone's tastes vary. Me, I watch it for the vechicular mayhem, and the destruction they leave in their wake. I could care less about the eye-candy. Things blowing up and getting wrecked. YES!
So in closing, 'Death Race' is not a remake to me. Just a great action film with lots of explosions, and a plot added to the mix.
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Paul Anderson's flashy, ultra-aggressive racing fantasy . . .
Added 12/24/2009
Director Paul W. S. Anderson's Death Race (2008), is a brutal, over the top, balls to the wall, action thriller, that satisfies both the need for speed, and an appetite for destruction. Reality is not a serious consideration in this futuristic fantasy set in the year 2012, where condemned prison inmates participate in the Death Race, a contest where the competition is so fierce, that drivers statistics include both wins, and kills. Risking death for possible freedom, before a pay-per-view audience, the Death Race is the latest deadly evolution in reality entertainment.
An extremely ripped Jason Statham (Crank, The Transporter), is Jensen Ames, a husband and father, who because of his experience driving race cars, is framed for the murder of his wife. Sentenced to Terminal Island penitentiary where the Death Race is held, Ames is offered an opportunity by the hardass Warden Hennessey (Joan Allen). Frankenstein, an extremely popular driver, has just died from injuries sustained in a crash. Maintaining the illusion that `Frank' is still alive, would be very profitable, and also possible, since Frank wore a mask, and can't be identified. Machine Gun Joe (Tyrese Gibson), the driver who sent Frank's car spinning down the track in flames, is eager to resume their rivalry. With racing his only chance of reuniting with his baby daughter, Ames agrees to drive. Headed by Coach (Ian McShane, Jesus of Nazareth), Ames's pit crew is in on the deception. The final member of the racing team, is an inmate from a women's prison, Elizabeth Case (Natalie Martinez), the course navigator.
The film's drive to survive premise, is straightforward and without many added frills. The Warden concerned only with profits, arranges for the murder of Ames' wife, just to get him into Terminal Island. The killer is Pachenko (Max Ryan, The Foreigner), a vicious convict, who is also a driver. He and Ames have a spectacularly brutal battle, but are forced to settle matters on the race course. Ryan shines, as the mangy guy you love to hate.
The race consists of three stages. With weaponized cars, and wicked hazards integrated into the course, each stage is more exciting and dangerous than the last. Cars are destroyed, and drivers perish in the carnage, with no one shedding a tear. Only the winners matter. It is hard to get bored by the various racing sequences, as the action is extremely well staged, and realistic looking, with new stunts and hazards featured in each race, the results are breathtakingly awesome.
No one seems to notice that Ames is never around during a race, except perhaps Machine Gun Joe, who was guessed that his hated rival Frankenstein, has been replaced by Ames. With the two drivers set to compete in the final race, is any cooperation possible? With Frank on the verge of winning his freedom, The Warden is prepared to blow him sky high, but an unexpected detour ruins her plans.
Death Race is a gripping, high speed adrenaline rush, that is at the top of the fantasy action genre. The realistic approach to action taken by the filmmakers, and the grungy, gritty industrial setting, creates a stark, tense, atmosphere for the contest. Much of the backstory regarding the film is discussed by Paul Anderson, and producer Jeremy Bolt in their commentary track. Bringing their experience from doing films based on the Resident Evil video games, the ultra-violent, breakneck speed, action scenes in Death Race display a video game quality. Also covered is the role that Roger Corman played in the careers of the two men, and the making of this film, which is inspired by Corman's 1975 film, Death Race 2000. Corman also serves as executive producer for this film. There's more to look forward to as a sequel, Death Race: Frankenstein Lives, has been announced for sometime in 2011.
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Death Race
Added 12/17/2009
Explosions, cars, guns all that. What else do you want in a summer action movie? It isn't a sublime theatrical experience, but it isn't supposed to be. It was fun and entertaining.
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Death Race
Added 12/17/2009
This is an extended version of the Death Race. This is fast and furious with machine guns. Ex-speedway champion Jensen Ames (Statham) is a master of survival in a futuristic post-industrial wasteland. Framed and imprisoned for the gruesome murder of his wife, Ames is forced to face the country's most violent criminals in a brutal televised car race run by the prison warden. With monster car, machine guns, and bone crunching crashes, Ames will destroy anything in his path to claim the prize of freedom. This action packed explosive movie will have you gripping your seat at every twist and turn. Welcome to the most evil spectator sport on Earth. Welcome to Death Race. The special features include: (1). Start your engines: making a death race; (2). Behind the wheel; Dissecting the stunts; (3). Feature commentary with director Paul W.S Anderson and producer Jeremy Bolt. The EXTENDED VERSION: Contains unseen footage you didn't see in cinemas.
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A whole new prison experience!
Added 1/23/2010
As many of you may have suspected, this is a remake (of sorts) of Roger Corbin's cult classic Death Race 2000. Of course, this one has some twists to it. First off, in the original the drivers were all competing for prize $$ (if I remember correctly?). In this one, they're lifers in prison whose only chance of getting out is to win 5 races.
Like the original, the "racing" is filled with violence, although the present version has much more intense violence than the campy violence of the 1970s flick. Also like the original, women ride along too, only in this one they're the navigators for the men. They, of course, are female inmates who have the capability of "punching out" of the vehicle should things go badly. Not too surprisingly, the navigators are all smokin' hot as the deathrace is broadcast on PPV & video-streamed on the Internet. Hot babes + souped up cars + violence drives up ratings!
Unfortunately, the present movie lacks a staple of Roger Corbin movies which the original did not omit: gratuitous nudity. That's too bad, especially as they made an Unrated version. But, guess you can't have everything.
Jason Statham is one of the better action hero actors out there now (most of the others are too old and / or have retired, and John Cena can't act). If you like Statham movies in general, you're bound to like this one. If you enjoyed the original Deathrace, then this one is worth a look. Enjoy, but watch out for the flying bullets!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
A remake? Hardly.
Added 12/31/2009
I immediatly rolled my eyes when my roommate came back from Blockbuster with this as one of his movies.
"You rented me a remake!?"
"Trust me, its not".
"You know how much I like Roger Corman films, especially Death Race 2000". I told him.
"You'll see".
I was prepared to see another classic film utterly destroyed by the remake-hatchet, and to my suprise, I was wrong.
In short,its an enjoyable adventure romp with some good and some bad things of the movie.
1)PLOT - Laid-off steelworker gets framed for killing his wife. Kinda cliche since that kind of plot has been used numerous times since 'The Fugitive'.
Still, it works for the reason later on. 85% Rating.
2)VEHICLES - I'm a Twisted Metal fan(not of 3rd and 4th installment), and the way the cars(and truck) were designed reminiced of this game series. Very nicely done, especially the killer rig. Awesome! 100% Rating.
3)CHARACTERS - Didn't need the "showgirls" theme with the navigators leaving the bus. Tasteless.
The loud-mouth from '2Fast&2Furious' as Machine Gun Joe. Interesting choice.
'Frank' was nothing more than a mask. Okay I guess, but rather lame here as well.
The warden I feel redeemed things here. A look of an angel with a devil hidden inside. Excellent character from beginning to end. 40% Rating.
4)ACTION - The fight scene in the cafeteria reeked of 'Shawshank Redemption'.
The vehicular action overall was great, aside from the maneuver of driving backwards ala '2Fast2Furious'. That was lame. 75% Rating.
OVERALL -
I know most(if not all) see this film as a remake of 'Death Race 2000'. To me,its not. This film seemed inspired by the Roger Corman film. There is a lot of things that seperate it from that film. Character background. An actual plot - Blackmail, backstabbing, revenge, and some drama mixed in nicely.
However, I don't see this film ever becoming a classic. Only as an enjoyable action film. Its definatly not a perfect film. There are some things that could be removed, but everyone's tastes vary. Me, I watch it for the vechicular mayhem, and the destruction they leave in their wake. I could care less about the eye-candy. Things blowing up and getting wrecked. YES!
So in closing, 'Death Race' is not a remake to me. Just a great action film with lots of explosions, and a plot added to the mix.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Paul Anderson's flashy, ultra-aggressive racing fantasy . . .
Added 12/24/2009
Director Paul W. S. Anderson's Death Race (2008), is a brutal, over the top, balls to the wall, action thriller, that satisfies both the need for speed, and an appetite for destruction. Reality is not a serious consideration in this futuristic fantasy set in the year 2012, where condemned prison inmates participate in the Death Race, a contest where the competition is so fierce, that drivers statistics include both wins, and kills. Risking death for possible freedom, before a pay-per-view audience, the Death Race is the latest deadly evolution in reality entertainment.
An extremely ripped Jason Statham (Crank, The Transporter), is Jensen Ames, a husband and father, who because of his experience driving race cars, is framed for the murder of his wife. Sentenced to Terminal Island penitentiary where the Death Race is held, Ames is offered an opportunity by the hardass Warden Hennessey (Joan Allen). Frankenstein, an extremely popular driver, has just died from injuries sustained in a crash. Maintaining the illusion that `Frank' is still alive, would be very profitable, and also possible, since Frank wore a mask, and can't be identified. Machine Gun Joe (Tyrese Gibson), the driver who sent Frank's car spinning down the track in flames, is eager to resume their rivalry. With racing his only chance of reuniting with his baby daughter, Ames agrees to drive. Headed by Coach (Ian McShane, Jesus of Nazareth), Ames's pit crew is in on the deception. The final member of the racing team, is an inmate from a women's prison, Elizabeth Case (Natalie Martinez), the course navigator.
The film's drive to survive premise, is straightforward and without many added frills. The Warden concerned only with profits, arranges for the murder of Ames' wife, just to get him into Terminal Island. The killer is Pachenko (Max Ryan, The Foreigner), a vicious convict, who is also a driver. He and Ames have a spectacularly brutal battle, but are forced to settle matters on the race course. Ryan shines, as the mangy guy you love to hate.
The race consists of three stages. With weaponized cars, and wicked hazards integrated into the course, each stage is more exciting and dangerous than the last. Cars are destroyed, and drivers perish in the carnage, with no one shedding a tear. Only the winners matter. It is hard to get bored by the various racing sequences, as the action is extremely well staged, and realistic looking, with new stunts and hazards featured in each race, the results are breathtakingly awesome.
No one seems to notice that Ames is never around during a race, except perhaps Machine Gun Joe, who was guessed that his hated rival Frankenstein, has been replaced by Ames. With the two drivers set to compete in the final race, is any cooperation possible? With Frank on the verge of winning his freedom, The Warden is prepared to blow him sky high, but an unexpected detour ruins her plans.
Death Race is a gripping, high speed adrenaline rush, that is at the top of the fantasy action genre. The realistic approach to action taken by the filmmakers, and the grungy, gritty industrial setting, creates a stark, tense, atmosphere for the contest. Much of the backstory regarding the film is discussed by Paul Anderson, and producer Jeremy Bolt in their commentary track. Bringing their experience from doing films based on the Resident Evil video games, the ultra-violent, breakneck speed, action scenes in Death Race display a video game quality. Also covered is the role that Roger Corman played in the careers of the two men, and the making of this film, which is inspired by Corman's 1975 film, Death Race 2000. Corman also serves as executive producer for this film. There's more to look forward to as a sequel, Death Race: Frankenstein Lives, has been announced for sometime in 2011.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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