Death Race (2008) Review

Written by: jackalqueen   

This is a Paul Anderson remake of Roger Corman's Death Race 2000 and as someone who generally doesn't like remakes, I loved this! Slightly ironically, the film starts by saying that America's economy collapses in 2012 and prisons are now run for profit.  The warden of Terminal Island starts pay per view Death Races where any prisoner winning five races wins his release but there's a fairly good chance they'll be killed in the attempt as they try to injure or kill the other competitors.

The mask-wearing favourite, Frankenstein, has already won four races and the public want more but he is unable to race.  In a bid to keep the money rolling in, Ex- racing driver Jenson Ames is framed for his wife's murder and blackmailed into taking on the role of Frankenstein.  He realises that he is never going to be allowed to win and decides to take matters into his own hands to secure his release.

It's bloody in places and the theme would seem horror related but this is really just an all-out action film, with guns, bombs, armoured-plated cars, hot women and Jason Statham with his shirt off quite a lot, which was a very enjoyable sight!  It's a real 'leave your brain at the door' kind of film and there are obvious similarities to The Running Man but I think most people would enjoy this.  A couple drinks, some sweets and this film and you will be set up for the weekend.