Death Race (DVD)

Back in the 1970s, the film Death Race 2000 caused a stir among those who instantly recognised it as a cult phenomenon. 25 years on at University, I watched it for the first time, and instantly joined those ranks, thinking it brilliant. So, when I saw that the film was being updated and revamped and re-released with the promise of more blood and guts and violence than the first film, I was intrigued. And you have to hand it to Jason Statham. Despite a constant barrage of criticism relating to his work, he continues to churn out regular action films with high octane chases and, no doubt, a high budget in terms of the amount of damage and destruction his ...  Read the complete review

In a bleak, not-too-distant future, the world's economy has collapsed. Unemployment is rife leading to high crime rates. The prison service has been privatised and huge corporations now make a living from the incarceration of murderers and thieves. One prison named Terminal Island boasts the Death Race, a "to the death" car rally pitching the worst inmates against each other, with the victor granted his freedom. Watched by millions of people around the world it is huge financial income for the corporation running Terminal Island. When steel worker Jensen Ames is framed for the murder of his wife, he is sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to ...  Read the complete review

In the year 2012, Jensen Ames is incarcerated in Terminal Island prison. When the economy collapsed, prisons became privately owned and run for profit. Terminal Island is the most successful of these as it runs the popular "Death Race". Framed for murdering his wife, Ames is given one chance of revenge and release from prison, but to do this he must wear the iron mask of fan favourite "Frankenstein" and do whatever it takes to win. The plot to "Death Race" is functional at best but its release is strangely apt in the current economic climate. The advent of youtube and programmes like "Jackass" make the concept of a ...  Read the complete review

Introduction - Jason Stratham has always been one of my favourite actors, he oozes cool and has so far played every role well, I was however slightly worried about his new film Death Race, not because I thought he couldn't handle it, but in case the film was a flop. The film was released on August 22nd in the UK and is a remake of the 1975 version called Death race 2000. It was directed by Paul W. S. Anderson and based on lb Melchior's short story 'The racer' and is of the 'Action' genre. Plot - Four years on from 2008 the United States economy has taken a nose dive, crime and unemployment levels are off the chart and private corporations ...  Read the complete review

Jensen Ames is trying to get his life back on the straight and narrow, and is happy with his life with wife Suzy and daughter Piper. But things take a really bad turn when his wife is murdered and Jensen is framed for it and thrown into Terminal Island prison. Things become even stranger when he's offered a chance at taking part in the prison's Death Race - he has to take the place of deceased driver Frankingstein and win just 1 race to gain his freedom and life with his daughter back. With the help of his team and navigator Case, he has to negotiate the 3 stages and try his best to win. But is Ames willing to risk his life against the other Death Racers for his ...  Read the complete review