A player wins a series of Nissan-sponsored video game competitions through his gaming skills and becomes a real-life professional race car driver.
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Cast: Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Darren Barnet, Emelia Hartford, Geri Halliwell Horner, Djimon Hounsou
Release Date: August 25, 2023
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sport
Rated PG-13 for intense action and some strong language.
Runtime: 2h 15m
Gran Turismo is one of the more interesting video game adaptations since it takes a real life underdog story as its basis instead of a straight up adaptation. The story's beats are all familiar enough that it'd be easy to dismiss this as little more than Rocky on wheels but thanks to confident direction from Neill Blomkamp and earnest performances from the cast it’s far more watchable than you'd expect. Blomkamp manages to balance the human interest side and racing sequences all while still making sure the corporate suits are happy with their IP's representation. It’s a slick looking film from start to finish but you can clearly tell he's far more interested in the racing sequences than the human drama at play. That's not to say the dramatic side is bad but it’s just serviceable enough to make you care about the characters. The racing sequences on the other hand has an energetic verve that pulls you into each race in a visceral way that lets you feel speed and danger in each race. There's a noticeable spark during those moments which make them the highlights of the film. It’s a testament to Archie Madekwe and David Harbour performances that you care about the people once the film gets to those rousing moments. Madekwe's baby face gives him an air of authenticity that works in the film's favor. He has an understated, uncertainty that makes his character feel far more fleshed out than what's on the page. Harbour natural, gruff charm works well for his character which plays like a racing version of Burgess Meredith's Mickey from the Rocky films. When they are onscreen together, they share a believable rapport together that makes it easy to overlook all the paint by the number bits of melodrama woven into the story. Orlando Bloom, Geri Halliwell Horner and Djimon Hounsou are all familiar faces who are saddled with underwritten supporting roles. Josha Stradowski suffers a similar fate as Jann's racing antagonist whose characterization comes down to being a rich jerk with the script offering little more than that. Gran Turismo will never be accused of being a deep dive character study, but it delivers a solid bit of entertainment for those looking for a feel good underdog story.
B
