30 October 2008
Death Race
Review
by Jason Di Rosso
In a dystopian future, a private prison pits inmates against each other in a demolition car race to the death, beaming the coverage to a lucrative pay TV audience. A remake of the 1975 flic Death Race 2000 from the Roger Corman production line, this is an orgy of petrol, bullets and violence -- of metal colliding with flesh.
The minimal plot revolves around an ace driver (Jason Statham) who's been framed for the murder of his wife. He faces off with Joan Allen's devious, ice-cold prison boss who watches from her multi-screen command post. There's some fine action, but the film never gets within spitting distance of breaking any taboos or taste barriers, which, for a schlock spectacle, is like racing within speed limits.
Director: Paul WS Anderson
Cast: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Ian McShane, Tyrese Gibson, Natalie Martinez, Max Ryan, Jacob Vargas, Jason Clarke, Frederick Koehler
Producer: Paul WS Anderson, Paula Wagner, Roger Corman, Jeremy Bolt,
Script: Paul WS Anderson (1975 screenplay by Robert Thorn, Charles B Griffith)
Cinematographer: Scott Kevan
Editor: Niven Howie
Music: Paul Haslinger
Running time: 105
Australian distributor: Universal
Language: English
Classification: MA15+
