Time: 111 Minutes
Age Rating: R16 – Violence & Offensive Language
Cast:
Jason Statham as Jensen Garner Ames
Joan Allen as Claire Hennessey
Tyrese Gibson as Joseph “Machine Gun Joe” Mason
Ian McShane as “Coach”
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

When Warden Hennessey offers Jensen and other prisoners a chance to compete in a car race and earn their freedom, millions watch as criminals with life sentences race armoured cars to earn freedom.

I’ve heard about Death Race for a while, a Jason Statham led action movie about prisoners competing in deadly car races. It’s also directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, whose work I generally like. Despite a mixed reception, I think this is one of his best movies.

I’ve not seen the previous Death Race movies, but I know that the 2008 movie connects to them somehow. The script is very generic and straightforward, and plotwise it is thin and forgettable. It takes place in some futuristic dystopia and you could say that much of the scenarios of prisoners taking part in a death race is a play on reality TV. Despite this, the setting is underdeveloped and not really explored or elaborated on that much. While the themes aren’t anything special, it doesn’t feel like it’s aiming for that. Death Race does benefit from its simplistic plot, this is one of Paul W.S. Anderson’s most video gamey films, and that’s saying a lot considering that he has made movies based on Mortal Kombat, Monster Hunter and Resident Evil. It’s definitely an absurd movie, from the over the top action to the really silly dialogue, but it kind of works in a schlocky B-level exploitation flick way.

The movie also benefits from some solid performances. Jason Statham works well in the lead role and delivers a good performance. He particularly shines when he gets to race cars and have fight scenes. Tyrese Gibson plays a surprisingly less comedic role as a maniacal prisoner and one of the notable competitors in the death races, and Ian McShane as usual adds a lot in his screentime. Joan Allen is the main villain as the warden of the prison, she chews the scenery, especially when she goes off the rails in the third act. Additionally, Jason Clarke is effective in a supporting villain role.

Overall I thought that Paul W.S. Anderson’s direction worked well at delivering a somewhat B level exploitation movie. The action scenes, mostly the car racing scenes, are well directed. It is well choreographed and kept interesting, especially with how creative they get with the scenarios. The stunts and effects are great too, relying more on the practical stuff than CGI. There’s a lot of glorious carnage, explosions and gore on display, it goes over the top and nuts in the best way. It’s unfortunate then that it’s brought down by Anderson’s typical quick cut editing, though I was still able to watch the movie. It is generally well shot although the environments can look a little drab, especially when the races take place in the same place every time.

Death Race is a messy and flawed but brutal and entertaining action thrill ride, especially with the cast and the action sequences. Again, it is one of Paul W.S. Anderson’s best movies.