Misogynistic, homophobic, casually violent, and mostly implausible, Death Race is not without its charms. The attraction boils down to:
-
Oddly, Jason Statham’s monotone acting. Has any man gone farther playing a tough guy, a fast driver, and a tough, fast driver?
-
The brutal efficiency of the plot. While requiring a lot of suspension of disbelief, there’s not a lot of fat on this tale. There’s really no backstory on any of the characters besides Jensen Ames. And the action doesn’t stop for any crappy infodumps.
-
The incorporation of the gamer aesthetic into the cinematic experience. Not overdone as in all of the movies based upon video games, but a subtle commentary surrounding the stages of the Death Race.
-
Natalie Martinez is pretty saucy.
Plus, I always find Joan Allen to be a hoot.
Death Race has high production values, a fast pace, good looking women, and the good guys win. There are worse ways to spend 90 minutes.