Ginwen

I may still see it but I don't see how it's Deathrace with no points for running over pedestrians.

rw2516

and bonus points for people in wheelchairs!

Zen Peckinpah

Razzie contender for 2008?

I'm praying to god this movie ends up being an ungodly, remorseless ton of stupid (and so-bad-it's-good), this only sweetens the deal. Then again, I was seriously bored off my ass by the last Alien vs. Predator movie, but still, this looks like the type of movie that Beavis and Butt-head would watch. Can it eclipse Doomsday for the award in being the guiltiest pleasure of the year? We'll find out Friday.

Brack

I don't know if it'll be any good, but hats off to them for casting Joan Allen.

NoirFan

I remember seeing this on TV when I was a little kid and being confused by the inadvertent surreality caused by the low budget: "But...those people in the crowd are painted on..."

islandclaws

From Bloody-Disgusting:

It looks as if Universal Pictures remake of Death Race could be crashing before it even hits the wall. Writer Adam Stone is in a race to stop the release of Universal's film, which is slated to hit theaters everywhere this Friday. The reason? Plagiarism. Read on for the story and watch for news as it develops.

Stone claims in a copyright infringement lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles federal court that the upcoming Universal thriller is based on a script he pitched to the film's producer-director Paul W.S. Anderson and producer Jeremy Bolt. He seeks a court order stopping the film's release.

Stone claims that after the producers passed, Bolt made and kept a copy of his screenplay, titled "Joust," to use as a "blueprint" for Anderson's revision of the script for "Death Race."

While "Death Race" is purported to be a remake of the 1975 film, "Death Race 2000," Stone contends in his lawsuit that it actually is based on "Joust" and that there are at least 39 elements in the soon-to-be released film that mirror his screenplay.

Universal, which is a defendant in the lawsuit, declined comment on the lawsuit.

"Death Race," which stars Jason Statham and Joan Allen, is set for release FridayAug. 22. Stone is asking the court to stop the release of the film.

"Experience in other cases has shown that unless such orders are issued, defendants will simply continue to exploit the infringing motion picture in all media and by all methods at their disposal," the lawsuit states.

Stone seeks unspecified damages.

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Highly doubtful this guy will get them to block the release of the movie. I hope at the least he gets a fat payout from Uni for stealing his script, not that it's very original to begin with. I think there are at least a couple dozen films with the exact same premise, but still...

RichC2

DJariya

Jason Statham, fast cars and Hot Prison Chicks, I am so there. I will probably attempt to watch this on Saturday.

Daytripper

Just got back from seeing it and I had a blast. The movie is exactly what it's advertised to be. Racing, over the top acting/dialogue, and action. I'm stunned Ebert gave this a 0.5 star review and the likes of "Speed 2" and "The Mummy 3" both three stars each. That's just ridiculous. If you liked "The Road Warrior", you'll like this. At least I hope you do. Both are cut from the same clothe IMO.

Brack

I'm an Ebert fan, but I must say, his review is surprisingly lazy. I don't get a sense for the movie other than "it's like a video game." This from a guy who doesn't even get video games.

The O

Daytripper

Hey, spit all you want. The style and tone here are exactly the same as the Mad Max films.

mdc3000

Paul W.S. Anderson is one of my most hated directors of all time, but I actually had fun with this one. It's nothing special but I got what I went for, cars shooting the shit out of each other and explosions. Not going to win any awards but it was entertaining as hell...however the movie sort of peaked for me during the second race - everything after that is just alright and the ending leaves a lot to be desired - the final voiceover is terrible as is the horrendous scene with Joan Allen trying to get Statham to stay...those things were classic W.S. IMO... but I enjoyed most of it a lot more than I thought I would, so I'll give it 3/5 stars.

NoirFan

Panned by Bloody-Disgusting, and they're not known for having the most discriminating palettes.

Daytripper

Not to mention Stathan's female "co-driver" is Megan Fox league smokin' hot!

But I agree mdc, this is not out to win any awards or year end 10 best lists. It's goofy fun like "The Fast and the Furious" and "Gone in 60 Seconds".

DRG

Saw this last night and had mixed feelings oit. It's worlds better than AvP, but what isn't? The setup is cool, and I liked the way the competitors were introduced.

About the Race itself...

DJariya

I loved it. Sure the writing was very sloppy and there were several plot holes, but from an action/visual standpoint it kicked ass. Statham was in traditional form as he was in Transporter and Crank. I just think it's funny that no matter what role Statham is casted in, he never even attempts to hide his English accent. Either that or all the characters he plays are English. IMO, I really didn't see any point to making Statham's character full of Tatoo's. Was that W.S.'s way of making him more badass? I mean the guy was a former NASCAR driver, steel worker and loving husband.

Very happy to see Natalie Martinez in this. I was probably one of the very few who saw her acting debut on Fashion House on My Network TV a few years ago and I thought she was absoluetely stunning back then too. As for this flick, she was smoking hot and I loved the attitude.

I also really enjoyed Joan Allen as the warden. She's one of my favorite actresses of all time and I loved seeing her as an Ice Cold bitch. Near the end of the film, I loved it when she was cursing a shit storm.

Overall, I had alot of fun watching this flick. For all the action films that Universal has released this summer, this ranks as my 2nd favorite behind Hulk and blows away Wanted by 10 miles. Rip it all you want, but for me the film did it's job and consider me a satisfied customer.

I give it a solid B

Patman

For a film that owes most of its allure to the promise of violent car chases and assault apparatuses, the action is badly filmed and edited (most of the time, you're wondering what the hell is happening because of the poorly put together race sequences. Paul W.S. Anderson's direction is relatively mediocre, as is the screenplay.

Jason Statham plays his typical onscreen persona in the role of Jensen and Frankenstein, Joan Allen (besides have a face now pulled quite tight via plastic surgery) is relegated to a thankless role of prison warden and Death Race producer where logic and motivation is paper-thin on both fronts. Natalie Martinez is nice eye candy as the navigator and not too distracting in the acting department, though the film is underwritten from a character perspective, but barely adequate as a action-oriented vehicle. Ian McShane gets plenty of mileage from the small part he has in the film. Tyrese doesn't wander too far from his typical screen persona, even if his character has a minor twist in his taste in navigators.

But if you're an action junkie, it'd be a decent rental in the future for you.

I give it 2 stars, or a grade of C.

Charlie Goose

Is that what happened? I thought her face looked weird.

She had nothing to do except glower and hiss her lines, which she did very well.

Armored vehicles? Check
A zillion bullets? Check
Explosions? Check
Macho dialogue? Check
Slow motion action? Check
Hot chicks? Check
Blood? Check

It is what it is. And it kicked ass.

FantasticVSDoom

Couldnt have said it better myself... Plus, damn the co-driver for Statham was pretty damn hot.

DJariya

Exactly, I couldn't agree with you more. If you don't like or appreciate any of those items, you have no business watching this movie. I think all those items totally made up for the "lack of" storyline.

Giles

even the highlighted segments of the film of her being a mega-bitch are classic.

Zen Peckinpah

Saw it yesterday, a gloriously stupid time at the movies. The right balance of ridiculous violence and action and unintentional humor.

And the Dreadnaught...HOLY SHIT! It was an 18-wheeler with a tank built into the back of it...how could you not like that!?

Giles

I must admit it was rather mindless fun. I'd say it's the second loudest film of the year - the first being 'The Incredible Hulk'

Giantrobo

How was Joan Allen?