Do you like fast cars and action? Then you should like this. But wait... it's a remake, therefore it must be dreadful, right? Actually, in this case, I don't know. I've never watched the original, but I understand it - like so many remakes - has its army of online defenders saying how this incarnation of the film doesn't compare to its source material. However, I like action. I like Jason Statham and, if I'm in the mood for some loud, dumb fun then I will certainly let this entertain me for an hour and a half.Jason Statham plays... oh what the hell, he basically plays that same tough guy he's played in every other recent action fight-fest. Anyway, take one dystopian future where prisons are funded by showing their inmates race to the death around tracks on pay-per-view, add a conspiracy to get 'The Stath' unfairly convicted and sent there in order to race... and you have the recipe for plenty of high-octane driving stunts, fist-fights among the inmates and the Stath snarling at anyone who gets in his way.Now, if you're into your films, you may vaguely be aware of its direction, Paul W S Anderson, and the various film franchises he presides over, mainly 'Resident Evil,' but he got his hands on 'Aliens vs Predator,' too. A lot of people say he can't write a good film. Actually, I may agree on that one, but I've always thought he was certainly a talented director who could handle decent action scenes. And, in a film about racing with machine guns, you're going to want the action to be good. And it is.There are a few other cast members the Stath interacts with. Most of them you won't remember, but Ian McShane does his best with what he's give to provide that 'Morgan Freeman-like' mentor figure to our bald, grumpy hero. Plus you have 'Generic Love Interest #657 and Jason Clarke (pre John Connor) as 'Evil Prison Guard #831' and, of course, the warden. Here, the warden is a woman... or simply 'Generic Evil Corporate B*tch #738? The supporting cast are all pretty much by the numbers and you won't remember their performances, let along their on-screen names.This is a Stath movie. If you like him, or action (specially racing), plus you've binge-watched the entire 'Fast and the Furious' franchise, then you should enjoy this. Put your brain on hold and just have fun.8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one

Ex-con Jensen Ames is forced by the warden of a notorious prison to compete in our post-industrial world's most popular sport: a car race in which inmates must brutalize and kill one another on the road to victory. Liked it or hated it this remake is way better than the original over the top and cheesy 70's film starring Sylvester Stallone it's more brutal, more serious and more action packed with a lot of car racing and explosions and Jason Statham is pretty awesome and it sucks that he never returned for the sequels. Another great thing about it Ian McShane as Coach and Joan Allen as Hennessey both great actors and great in their roles, if you like this over the cop full of explosions and gore kind of films you will not be disappointed by Death Race (2008).

Nuanced. Thoughtful. Subtle. These are but three words that don't describe 'Death Race', a fast-paced, slow-witted remake of the 70s B-movie cult classic.Star Jason Statham has less range than a sling shot, but he remains a likable and dependable B-movie action anti-hero. The rest of the cast is made up mostly of anonymous sleazoids, but it's sad to see a three-time Academy Award nominated actress like Joan Allen slumming it here.Ultimately, though it boasts almost non-stop action, 'Death Race' is more tedious than it is fun, and never manages to reach "Guilty pleasure" status.

It's 2012. It's a dystopian world where prisons run gladiator-like competitions for profit. Jensen Ames (Jason Statham) is framed for the murder of his wife. In prison, he is coerced by warden Hennessey (Joan Allen) into racing for his freedom. If he wins one race, he can walk.Paul W.S. Anderson is the driving force behind the Resident Evil franchise. He has built a pretty good resume of top notch big budget movies from B-movie ideas. That's what this is. You get cars, action, and T&A. It's a B-movie idea done by good actors and good director. Jason Statham does his best bad ass. Natalie Martinez provides the T&A. The action is fun. There isn't much else that can be expected. The race being split in 3 is probably a mistake. It makes the last section not as compelling or as fun.