Death Race

USA, 2008

Director:

Paul WS Anderson

Starring:

Matt: -

Adam: D+

Absurd, ludicrous - at times completely non-sensical - yet somehow a bit of a guilty pleasure, although not really since it is never quite good enough for that. I did like the cinematography and set design however, and Ian McShane is always good value these days. God only knows what Joan Allen saw in the script though - maybe her copy was written on 100 dollar bills? Statham is what he is and the plot has more holes in it that a hula hoop factory, but it actually speeds by at a fairly decent pace and is always reasonably watchable.

It is directed by Paul Anderson - now not the good one - the other one.  The good one is Paul Thomas Anderson.  This one is Paul WS Anderson.  The helpful middle name/initials is how you tell which one directed which film.  That and the fact that one directs stuff like Magnolia and There Will Be Blood, and the other does stuff like Mortal Kombat and Resident Evil.  Would be a bit surprising if WS's resume read Mortal Kombat 2, Soldier, Alien vs Predator, Punch Drunk Love.  Maybe the WS stands for What a load of Shit?  Bit unfair really though cause I *almost* enjoyed this.

AL