Death Race (2008)

Featured Audience Ratings

• John M

  
  Absolutely no real plot or good acting. Awesome balls to the walls action and a hot young lady made this movie passable. Good effects nad lots of fun.

• Phil H

  
  OK this is highly highly predictable stuff but its damn good fun stuff thats for sure :) Death Race is basically a computer game blueprint ready to go, 'Carmageddon', 'Destruction Derby'], 'Road Blasters' etc.. you all know the score here hehe Along with… More
  OK this is highly highly predictable stuff but its damn good fun stuff thats for sure :) Death Race is basically a computer game blueprint ready to go, 'Carmageddon', 'Destruction Derby'], 'Road Blasters' etc.. you all know the score here hehe Along with its obvious movie rip ideas ( 'Mad Max', 'Running Man' etc..) its a wholly unoriginal film but its rip roaring fun I gotta admit. To the sound of some great heavy metal tunes the car race sequences are pretty decent, car lovers and petrol heads especially will enjoy. The cast is a good colourful mix that do look quite dangerous and nasty, its almost in the same vain as 'Con Air' in certain aspects, and the films look is pretty rough and realistic, in other words it doesn't look like an obvious set like most other Anderson films. Some silly things do grate...the fact that these cars wouldn't be able to race very fast with all that junk stuck on them I'm sure, they would handle like tanks with the weight increase. Also I'm sure in reality Stathams Mustang would thrash Gibbson's 4x4 truck thing in a flat race haha again the weight would kill the 4x4. One thing that sticks in my mind is why all these prisoners help the drivers when they dont actually have any way of being released due to the race outcomes like the drivers do, there's nothing in it for them, and lastly the ending is kind of a anti climax really. All that aside its of course very stupid and a total rip of SO many films but in the end its actually well made and a good pumpin evening out or in, I enjoyed it allot and Statham is really fast becoming the new action hero of the 00's.

• Directors C

  
  The undeniable truth is that Death Race is absolutely trashy and juvenille. But be that as it may, it's grungy drivel that's almost impossible to resist. It's set up gets a bit too repetitive but a lot of fans of big explosions and real motor heads will love this.… More
  The undeniable truth is that Death Race is absolutely trashy and juvenille. But be that as it may, it's grungy drivel that's almost impossible to resist. It's set up gets a bit too repetitive but a lot of fans of big explosions and real motor heads will love this. It's not for everyone, but fans of typical action movies are going to love Jason Statham and of course it's basic premise. For everyone else it's just plain stupid but also plain cool.

• Martin S

  
  This was pretty entertaining. I didn't think it was possible to make a good remake of death race 2000 with the way movies are done these days. But I have to say they did a good job. The story is a lot diffrent but it was still good. and at some times it really had that death race… More
  This was pretty entertaining. I didn't think it was possible to make a good remake of death race 2000 with the way movies are done these days. But I have to say they did a good job. The story is a lot diffrent but it was still good. and at some times it really had that death race 2000 feeling. It is way to dark....but what movie isn't these days?

• Jens S

  
  This action film about future prison car races does deliver on the premise of spectacular stunts, modified vehicles and wild camera tricks. Of course the story itself is flat and full of logic flaws, most of the characters are just decoration to get from one stage of the race to the… More
  This action film about future prison car races does deliver on the premise of spectacular stunts, modified vehicles and wild camera tricks. Of course the story itself is flat and full of logic flaws, most of the characters are just decoration to get from one stage of the race to the next. There are surprising parts, but most aren't used to their full potential. It also doesn't help that the solution feels rather forced and wastes a lot of opportunities. The fact alone that this film is trying to look like the Shawshank Redemption at times could be considered blasphemy. It's far from boring or bad, just trying a little too hard to be cool instead of adding brains into the mix.

• Alexander W

  
  I am a carmageddon fan (the old school computer game) and so it fits in the same genre as Death Race so hell I watched it, and it was pretty good. Kind of like Shaw Shank Redemption on a collection of class A and B drugs and a car.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Cast: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Tyrese Gibson, Ian McShane, Robin Shou, Jacob Vargas, Robert LaSardo, Max Ryan Director: Paul W.S. Anderson Summary: Jason Statham stars in this futuristic thriller as Jensen Ames, an ex-con turned speedway champion who's framed for a… More
  Cast: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Tyrese Gibson, Ian McShane, Robin Shou, Jacob Vargas, Robert LaSardo, Max Ryan Director: Paul W.S. Anderson Summary: Jason Statham stars in this futuristic thriller as Jensen Ames, an ex-con turned speedway champion who's framed for a grisly murder and forced to compete in a grueling three-day televised car race against his fellow inmates. Sitting behind the wheel of a monster car outfitted with machine guns, flamethrowers and grenade launchers, Ames is in the race of his life -- and the whole world is watching. My Thoughts: "Quite the violent film. Lots of action. Storyline was OK. Jason Statham is becoming my new guy to go to when I want to see an action filled flick. He's pretty awesome in these types of films. I read it's an remake, I have yet to see the original so I am unsure if there are any big differences. Worth the watch if your in the mood for a bloody violent good time."

• Brad W

  
  Death Race has some intense race scenes, but overall bored me. In 2012 where the economy has failed, people get entertainment from Death Races, paperview races where prisoners race to the death. After being accused of killing his wife, Ames (Jason Statham) is sent to prison, where… More
  Death Race has some intense race scenes, but overall bored me. In 2012 where the economy has failed, people get entertainment from Death Races, paperview races where prisoners race to the death. After being accused of killing his wife, Ames (Jason Statham) is sent to prison, where the corrupt warden Hennessey (Joan Allen) offers to let him go if he wins the Death Races. He meets a crew, makes enemies, and is tied up in a conspiracy which he believes is why his wife is dead. Jason Statham didn't do anything new, he uses his angy face that we see from him in every movie. The plot in this film is pretty much a remake of Gladiator in a way, and it shows, really bad. Death Race is also one of the most cliche films ever, and it really hurt its reviews. The race scenes are great, only to be held back by a shaky camera. If you want amazing race scenes and action, this is your movie, if you want a good movie, watch Crank. And if you want to know why I give it such 2.5 even though I said almost negatives, its because people will watch this only for the race scenes, and they will be happy.

• Anthony L

  
  I've not seen Death Race 2000 so I couldn't comment as to whether this is a good remake or not. I don't think it ever pretends to be more than what it is though, a fairly mindless action film picking off bits of other great films - mainly from the 70's. The new… More
  I've not seen Death Race 2000 so I couldn't comment as to whether this is a good remake or not. I don't think it ever pretends to be more than what it is though, a fairly mindless action film picking off bits of other great films - mainly from the 70's. The new breed of Exploitation films (with hidden values) ain't really my cup of tea though but this would make a great video game eh! It's not to be taken too seriously though, it's a bit too violent for my liking (I must be getting old) but entertaining enough.

• Conner R

  
  Maybe i'm partial to this because I love Jason Statham and I love the original Death Race 2000, but this is such a fun and cool movie. While it is essentially a giant car chase, it works so well that it doesn't matter. This takes the original and gives it more depth, meaning… More
  Maybe i'm partial to this because I love Jason Statham and I love the original Death Race 2000, but this is such a fun and cool movie. While it is essentially a giant car chase, it works so well that it doesn't matter. This takes the original and gives it more depth, meaning and stronger characters. Jason Statham takes the reigns of Frankenstein and makes him even better. This looks great and has flawless car stunts, it doesn't feel fake at all. This happens to be the best thing Paul W.S. Anderson has ever directed, it actually delivers on everything. This makes a fun 80s B-movie become something you can take seriously and appreciate.

• Richard C

  
  B+

• Arash X

  
  No it just doesn't work not even as a fun mindless action flick, It was pretty boring actually, Kudos to myself for watching it til the end

• KJ P

  
  This film has been getting mixed reviews, but I am definately on the positive half of those reviewers, because this movie is just pure adrenaline fun!

• Thomas B

  
  Almost every time I hear the words "action" and "statham" in the same sentence, I automatically roll my eyes. To date, with the exception of Guy Ritchie's 'Snatch,' every movie with Jason Statham as the leading man has dissapointed me. Whilst there… More
  Almost every time I hear the words "action" and "statham" in the same sentence, I automatically roll my eyes. To date, with the exception of Guy Ritchie's 'Snatch,' every movie with Jason Statham as the leading man has dissapointed me. Whilst there are some die hard Statham fans out there who would accuse me of blasphemy and try to force me to watch Crank, my opinion won't change. The only reason I gave this film a slightly higher rating than a usual Statham film is because the stunning action sequences which are, I'll admit, quite incredible, with Paul Anderson holding nothing back on the gore, especially with the Grim Reaper's demise. However, in terms of storyline, this film is tragic, really really tragic.It begins with one of the worse action sequences in the film, with Frank 'deploying the tombstone' in an effort to set up a loosely linked storyline, and then jumps to an introduction to Jensen Ames' (Statham's) family, which they blaze through, giving the audience no time to make any connection with anyone on screen. This is obviously in order to make more time for the action sequences later, which, personally, I could have less of if it meant actually building relationships with the characters we are supposed to be learning about. This lightspeed start gives way to the real subject of the film; a prison which has been converted into a 'race for freedom' speedway which is viewed over the internet by apparently upwards of 40 million people worldwide. This is where most of the action takes place. After an extremely brief introduction to his teammates including a misjudged and unnecessary character played by Frederick Koehler and a half arsed mentor character played by 'do I really have to say this crap, just give me my paycheck' Ian McShane. And even though the introduction of Natalie Martinez 's rack is a welcome relief for the boys after 15 minutes of the film is spent focussing on Jason Statham's spartan-like physique, how much more of a throwaway character can you get? And her deadpan performance might be good for a comedy circuit, but not when you're actually trying to make an impression on your viewers. After all this negative stuff, the action sequences are the film's saving grace, if you can call them that. Even though the attempts at comic relief with the pit crew get in the way occassionally and Jensen's foolish attempts at interrogation while driving distract from the good stuff, don't tell me your heart didn't start speeding up when the cars did, or that you didn't accidentally cheer when the colossal destroyer truck met it's end, or that your jaw didn't hit the floor when the Reaper's head met the side of Mason's truck. In short, when you go into this film, don't be expecting to fall in love with a character, even though the absolutely ridiculous attempt at the end of the film with Jensen's little girl gives it's best shot. Instead, view this as a typical Statham movie; sleep through the ill-advised character building bits and stay awake for the crazy action. Defining Scene: Definitely gotta gotta be seeing the Reaper's head explode like a watermelon, possibly the best thought out moment in the whole movie.

• Lady D

  
  For those of you who like car chases/stunts then this will definitely be up your street, an interesting concept of a story which is inspired by the book ?Death Race 2000? and the original film with the same name. High Action, in a typically Hollywood fashion, slight reminders of… More
  For those of you who like car chases/stunts then this will definitely be up your street, an interesting concept of a story which is inspired by the book ?Death Race 2000? and the original film with the same name. High Action, in a typically Hollywood fashion, slight reminders of Running Man come to mind as it?s theme. An enjoyable watch.

• xGary X

  
  An ex racing car driver is framed for the murder of his wife to impersonate the dead star of a gladiatorial game show of the near future. His name was Frankenstein, which is ironic, because this is a cinematic pick'n'mix of many cult sci-fi movies. It has the story of The… More
  An ex racing car driver is framed for the murder of his wife to impersonate the dead star of a gladiatorial game show of the near future. His name was Frankenstein, which is ironic, because this is a cinematic pick'n'mix of many cult sci-fi movies. It has the story of The Running Man with shades of Mean Machine, the themes of Rollerball, the environment of Escape From New York and the style and action of Mad Max. Original, it most certainly ain't. It has the usual trappings of the modern action movie, namely characters who are the inevitable mix of gang banger stereotypes and hotties and it's over directed in the way that has been de rigeur over the past few years, all set to an appalling pop music soundtrack. As a whole, it's like watching a videogame adaptation of a game that doesn't exist. But what a bloody cool videogame it is! The dialogue and characters are shall we say "functional", but it never descends too far into depressing macho porn and leaves plenty of room for the action scenes; in this film the cars are most definitely the stars! The races are thrillingly staged, and are clearly intended as the centrepiece of the film in a similar way to Mad Max 2. It's a shame they had to water down Statham's character by making him an innocent family man, because let's face it, Max and Snake Plissken were so cool precisely BECAUSE they were utter bastards. It may be low brow, but entertaining it truly is, and is one of the few action films I've seen in recent years that actually lives up to its trailer.

• Dean !

  
  A very good if totally OTT action film. A mix of Fast and the furious meets Running Man. Great no-brainer action film to kill 90mins with complete with some seriously modified cars!!

• Corey W

  
  Horrible work of film!

• Dean M

  
  Full-thrill ride as hell on dangerously racing cars like <i>Mad Max 2</i> in the prison. Amazing and excitement action with a total assault on the senses and visual effects, <i>Death Race</i> also boasts some top-notch performances from Jason Statham as the… More
  Full-thrill ride as hell on dangerously racing cars like <i>Mad Max 2</i> in the prison. Amazing and excitement action with a total assault on the senses and visual effects, <i>Death Race</i> also boasts some top-notch performances from Jason Statham as the hero with his life on the line, while Joan Allen is formidable as the steedy-eyed warden with a heart of stone. Highly recommendation!

• Roy G

  
  If you're a fan of Gone in 60 Seconds or The Fast and the Furious, you won't look at your watch while the movie is going on

Read all 20 featured audience ratings