Now here is a film that I didn’t need any more of, “Death Race”. Not the 1070’s original “Death Race 2000” by Paul Bartel (which is a camp Roger Corman cheapie, and kind fun when drunk!), but the Paul WS Anderson 2008 remake (sorry I think it was suppose to be a prequel to the 70s film, but that doesn’t really work either) starring Jason Statham.
I have to say I was not a huge fan of the remake. I really enjoyed the silly, camp, subversive 1970’s film and I found that the remake completely lost sight of the satire of the original film. I generally like the emotionless Statham, but found him really bland in this film and don’t get me started on the awful, Botoxed performance from Joan Allen.
Paul WS Anderson says the prequel will examine the back story of the Frakenstein (Statham) character, why? We already had flashbacks in the film that explain how and why he got in the jail. Also, the film is about the Death Race, which was created by Joan Allen’s character in the jail, if you do a prequel about Statham’s background there will be no Death Race in it, kinda the point of the film isn’t it?
Bad idea all ’round if you ask me. I think Paul WS Anderson should just focus his attentions on making a really good final chapter to “Resident Evil”. Bring on the clones!
Just to wrap this up, I mentioned above that the remake doesn’t work as a sequel, why? The original Frankenstein, played by David Carradine is the central character of the 1970’s film. He dies in the opening scene of the remake (yes, apparently that is David Carradine making a cameo under the mask in the remake), so how exactly is he the star of the original film if he is dead? It is nit picking I know, but it is little things like this that take me out of the prequel mindset. Just call the bloody thing a remake and be done with it.
Do you think a prequel to “Death Race” is a good idea? Are you excited or horrified by this news? Comment below.
