GRAN TURISMO (2023)

GRAN TURISMO (2023)

Tagline: From gamer to racer.

(Sports, Action, A Game I Would Probably Suck At) [PG-13]

I'm sorry. Do you really think you're going to take a kid who plays video games in their bedroom, and you're going to strap them to a two-hundred-mile-an-hour rocket? It'll tear them to pieces.

In this one, Jann Mardenborough is a game that is really good at the Play Station's race simulator’ “Gran Turismo”. He has dreams and aspirations of becoming a real race car driver someday, but his father who is a former soccer player feels the dream is too unrealistic. Meanwhile, Danny Moore from Nissan devises a plan to have the world’s best “Gran Turismo” players take part in a real live racing camp designed to give the best driver a shot at gaining a professional racing license. Is Jann up for the task? Can a group of scrawny gamers make it in the ultra-competitive world of racing?

First off, there have been some really good racing movies out there and I am not into gaming or cars at all. I did have a Game Cube for a while and played the classics on that but I am not a guy you want on your campaign or any of that stuff. So when I look at movies based on video games I am never looking to see if the movie matches the game. This one is a bit different though. It’s not based on the video game; it’s based on real-life events. 

Director Neill Blomkamp has done some high-profile sci-fi flicks including DISTRICT 9, CHAPPIE, and ELYSIUM, but this one is more like a racing version of ROCKY and the direction is very good, but not perfect. A lot of the shots that look like they were done by drones are pretty shaky, and some of the angles are weird, I would have liked more of a “game view” in some of these scenes than we got, but overall the direction and cinematography are solid. 

When it comes to the acting, I am sorry, I am just not a fan of Archie Madekwe in this as Jann. I thought his performance was deadpan and uninspired. The same can be said for Orlando Bloom (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL) who plays Danny Moore. For the most part, Djimon Hounsou’s (SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS) performance is pretty stoic, but when given a chance to show some emotion he shines as Jann’s father, Steve Mardenborough conveying that balance you want between not being encouraging and conveying realistic expectations. David Harbour (VIOLENT NIGHT) plays Jack Salter, who actually trains the driving team and he does all the heavy lifting here. I loved his performance in this thing. Maeve Courtier-Lilley is also pretty solid as Audrey. 

This thing is over 2 hours long, but there are multiple races in it that make it feel short. I don’t think there are any wasted or senseless scenes. If anything, it might have paid off to spend a little more time getting to see Jann’s interactions with Audrey and her reactions to the events of the film. They do a great job with his parents and conveying that side of things. 

Overall this one is pretty much a blast with a heavy bit of emotions near the end of the film. I’m not crying, you’re crying. Having said that, I don’t know if this thing really works and draws you in nearly as much without David Harbour’s gritty persistent, and powerful father-like performance. 

GRAN TURSIMO is a solid 6 out of 7 and makes for a wonderful theatrical experience in spite of a few flaws. 

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