Death Race (Unrated Edition)
by Paul W.S. Anderson
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ian McShane, Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Natalie Martinez, Tyrese GibsonDirector: Paul W.S. Anderson
Brand: STATHAM,JASON
Writer: Paul W.S. Anderson
Producer: Dennis E. Jones
Producer: Don Granger
Producer: Jeremy Bolt
Writer: Charles B. Griffith
Writer: Ib Melchior
Writer: Robert Thom
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language); French (Dubbed); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 111 minutes
Published: 2008-12-01
DVD Release Date: 2008-12-21
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Universal Studios
Product features:
- TESTED
Movie Reviews of Death Race (Unrated Edition)
Movie Review: Paul Anderson's flashy, ultra-aggressive racing fantasy . . .
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Summary of Death Race (Unrated Edition)
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