In 1975 Roger Coman produced a film titled DEATH RACE 2000 which was directed by Paul Bartel, and starring David Carradine, Simone Griffeth and Sylvester Stallone. The film only cost three hundred thousand dollars to make and because an instant box office success, especially at drive ins. So of course their would eventually be a remake, and that time has come. This time around the film stars action star Jason Statham and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson.
This new breath into Roger Corman’s classic pretty much takes from the original films concept as far as characters go and the likes, but is very different story wise. This version of DEATH RACE takes place in the not to distant future, 2012 to be exact. The United States has crumbled because of a bad economy and many people are out of work or barely holding onto what they have. Jensen Ames (Jason Statham) is just an ordinary guy trying to make ends meet. He works hard to try and support his wife and young daughter. But his past as a race car driver is about to come back and haunt him. While home with his wife a man breaks into his house and kills Jensen’s wife, the killer sprays Jensen with some kind of chemical that knocks him out and when he wakes up the murder weapon is in his hand and he surrounded by police officers. The next thing Jensen knows is that he is in prison. But not just any prison, he’s in the one that houses one of the best reality television shows in the world; DEATH RACE. The prisons Warden Hennessey (Joan Allen) wants Jensen to replace one of her now deceased drivers, named Frankenstein. Frankenstein was killed in a race ,but because of ratings the Warden made it know to her viewers that he was just hurt. He never had a face and always wore a mask so anyone can replace him. She tells Jensen all his has to do is one race and his freedom will be granted and he can then have his life back with his daughter. Jensen agrees to race as Frankenstein and then the real fun, carnage, killing and racing mayhem begins.
The film is not the best made movie in the world, and the script does have its flaws and does lack in character development. the story however is very plan and simple with a good message thrown in there at the end of the film for good measures. This message is especially aimed at young fathers so I was able to relate. While this remake of DEATH RACE is full of a lot of carnage, blood and mayhem it’s really a story about a man who will do anything to get his life back with his daughter, despite the loss of the women he loved. So while the script lacked in certain areas the subtext of the story is what really grabbed a hold of me, and a few awesome actions scenes really made it that much more better.
The films production values is so-so. While I thought that the race scenes and explosions where a lot of fun and a real adrenaline rush to watch, the special effects, mainly with the death scenes looked a bit fake and very computerized sought to speak. The films editing was nothing special, and at times reminded me way to much of a video game. But it did have some pretty decent looking sets, costume design and a decent score. The films acting was so-so as well, with the exception of Jason Statham and Joan Allen’s characters (whom both did act well in the film); the majority of the cast was type-cast for the roles. So it was obvious that the performances where pretty decent.
The Unrated DVD comes with two versions of the film both the theatrical and unrated cuts. The special features includes two featurettes called “Start Your Engines” The Making of Death Race and “Behind the Wheel”: Dissecting The Stunts. There is also a commentary track on the unrated version of the film with Director Paul W.S. Anderson and Producer Jeremy Bolt.
Overall, this rehash of a Roger Corman classic was not as successful with it’s box office numbers as the original, but it does pack a pretty good action packed punch. I for one had a good time watching it, and really enjoyed the underlying subtext that all comes together at the end of this film. It’s the perfect film for horror fans who love their car racing and gore mixed together.
– Horror Bob
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