In Review: Roger Corman’s Death Race 2050

Synopsis: In the year 2050 the planet has become overpopulated, to help control population the government develops a “Death Race.” Annually competitors race across the country scoring points for killing people with their vehicles.

Review: Although it is true that ‘Death Race’ got a reboot back in 2008 with Jason Statham taking on the lead role. That reboot had no where near the spirit and fun of the 1975 original, which was produced by Roger Corman. 

In ‘Death Race 2050’, which again is produced by Corman. We get the true spiritual successor to the original 70’s movie with the madness and mayhem turned all the way up to 11.

This film pretty much acts as a sequel to the 70’s original and sees the fantastic Manu Bennett take on the role of the cynical part man and part machine Frankenstein. The iconic champion of the Death Race who was played by the late David Carradine in the original film. 

Bennett’s take on the role is just as moody and his new rival Jed Perfectus is so over the top that you just know that Frankenstein will wind up getting the better of him.

‘Death Race 2050’ goes back to the grindhouse origins of the film with ridiculously over the top rules that give the drivers 50 points for mowing down senior citizens, 20 points for young children and 10 points for everyone else.

The gore factor and over the top ways in which people are killed is hilarious and gives you that “Why am I laughing?” kind of feeling.

Malcolm McDowell heads up proceedings as the greedy and unscrupulous Chairman who is plotting to have his star driver killed and replaced. 

We also get an extremely over the top Yancy Butler as leader of the rebels and Anessa Ramsey as the most psychotic religious fundamentalist you could ever wish to meet. 

The story is completely all over the place, but kept really simple and the actors are fully committed to the craziness of their roles.

The cars are all characters in the film as well because they all look like they have come direct from Wacky Race’s.

As far as the CGI goes. It all looks very cheap, but I suspect that’s the whole point.

I was entertained by the madness and mayhem of the film and got the impression that all the actors involved were having a ball.

If you enjoyed the original 70’s version. Then you’ll more likely enjoy this one. Its just as bonkers as the original film.

If your looking for a serious movie. This ain’t it. But if your looking for B-Movie thrills. You’ll get them with this.

‘Death Race 2050’ is available to buy or rent on Amazon as well as on Blu Ray and DVD.