Death Race (2008)
Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller |
Death Race is a American dystopian action thriller film written and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson. It stars Jason Statham, Tyrese Gibson, Ian McShane and Joan Allen.
Though referred to as a remake of the 1975 film Death Race 2000 in reviews and marketing materials, director Paul W. S. Anderson stated in the DVD commentary that he thought of the film as something of a prequel.
A remake had been in development since 2002, though production was delayed by disapproval of early screenplays, then placed in turnaround following a dispute between Paramount Pictures and the producer duo Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner.
In 2012, the collapse of the US economy and the subsequent increase in crime rates leads to the rise of privatized prisons. One such prison is Terminal Island Penitentiary, whose warden, Claire Hennessey, earns profits by broadcasting a vehicular combat racing series on the internet. Throughout the season, Terminal Island inmates battle each other in specially modified cars on a track cut into the grounds.
Towards the end of a race, a masked driver nicknamed Frankenstein is nearing the finish line, pursued by his rival Machine Gun Joe. His navigator, Case, reports that all of his defensive equipment have malfunctioned. Against her protests, Frankenstein refuses to let Joe finish first. Case ejects herself out of the car just before Joe destroys it as it crosses the finish line.
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
Writers: Paul W.S. Anderson (screenplay & screen story), Robert Thom (1975 screenplay Death Race 2000), Charles B. Griffith (1975 screenplay Death Race 2000), Ib Melchior (1975 story Death Race 2000)
Stars: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Tyrese Gibson, Ian McShane, Natalie Martinez, Max Ryan, Jason Clarke
►Cast:
| Jason Statham | … | Jensen Ames |
| Joan Allen | … | Hennessey |
| Ian McShane | … | Coach |
| Tyrese Gibson | … | Machine Gun Joe |
| Natalie Martinez | … | Case |
| Max Ryan | … | Pachenko |
| Jason Clarke | … | Ulrich |
| Frederick Koehler | … | Lists (as Frederick Koehler) |
| Jacob Vargas | … | Gunner |
| Justin Mader | … | Travis Colt |
| Robert LaSardo | … | Grimm |
| Robin Shou | … | 14K |
| Benz Antoine | … | Joe’s Navigator |
| Danny Blanco Hall | … | Joe’s Navigator |
| Christian Paul | … | Joe’s Navigator |
| Janaya Stephens | … | Suzy |
| John Fallon | … | Neo Nazi |
| Bruce McFee | … | Old Timer |
| Cory Fantie | … | Disgusted Worker |
| Russell Ferrier | … | Angry Worker |
| Anna-Marie Frances Lea | … | Nasty Teller (as Anna Marie Frances Lea) |
| Dan Jeannotte | … | Hennessey Tech |
| David Carradine | … | Frankenstein (voice) |
| Dick Ervasti | … | Commercial (voice) |
| Nir Assayag | … | Disgruntled Inmate #6 |
| Abdul Ayoola | … | Siad |
| Marcello Bezina | … | Policeman #1 |
| Melantha Blackthorne | … | Pachenko’s Navigator |
| Lydie Bounay | … | BMW Navigator |
| Shane Cardwell | … | Carson |
| Ruth Chiang | … | 14K’s Navigator |
| Carolyn Day | … | Colt’s Navigator |
| Marie France Denoncourt | … | Trans Am #2 Navigator |
| Miguel Dugal | … | Pachenko’s Goon |
| Jere Gillis | … | Policeman #2 |
| Nathalie Girard | … | Boattail Navigator |
| Larry Goldstein | … | Disgruntled Inmate #5 |
| Gerardo Lo Dico | … | Prison Guard – 2008 |
| Ivan Peric | … | Steel Factory Worker |
| Sharlene Royer | … | Grimm’s Navigator |
Sources: imdb & wikipedia