Death Race
Metascore
43 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 10 out of 24
view
per page
  1. Charlotte Observer
    Reviewed by: Lawrence Toppman
    38
    OK, so no plot, really.
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    30
    Well, you've got to say this for Death Race: It knows what it is and doesn't apologize for it. What it is, incidentally, is junk.
  3. Variety
    Reviewed by: Robert Koehler
    30
    As hard as metal and just as dumb, Paul W.S. Anderson's Death Race couldn't be further from producer Roger Corman and director Paul Bartel's goofy, bloody 1975 original, "Death Race 2000."
  4. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Philip Kennicott
    30
    It isn't so much a movie as a superheated, highly conductive miracle substance for the pure transmission of masculine aggression and misogyny.
  5. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Andrea Gronvall
    30
    Paul Bartel's "Death Race 2000" is a beloved camp item, but this slick, loud, violent remake is pitched at the video game crowd.
  6. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Hartlaub
    25
    An ill-advised and severely wussified remake.
  7. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Aaron Hillis
    20
    With its inexplicably watchable shotgun-riding bimbos, unconscious homoeroticism and "Shawshank Redemption" ending, The Fast and the Frivolous here is almost so bad it's good. Almost...
  8. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    12
    It is an assault on all the senses, including common. Walking out, I had the impression I had just seen the video game and was still waiting for the movie.
  9. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    0
    Anderson has neutered the original film's outrageously transgressive macadam mayhem and completely stripped the story of its pointedly political social satire, making this Death Race one of the most boring drags of all time.
  10. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Michael Sragow
    0
    Here's hoping Allen's static Hennessey is due to an extreme acting choice and not plastic surgery. It would be tragic to lose a natural smile to star in garbage like Death Race.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 118 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 45
  3. Negative: 9 out of 45
  1. potatoes351
    7
    In 2012 the US economy collapses, unemployment and crime rocket to their highest ever levels. Jensen Ames is a steelworker, his yard is being closed down and he gets a measly last pay of $300. When he return home to his wife and daughter all is normal until she is murdered by a burglar, leaving Jensen with the blame. 6 months later Jensen has been found guilty of a murder he didn't commit and is on his way to Terminal Island Prison. At Terminal Island people have the chance to win their freedom by competing in Death Race, Jensen becomes the new star of the competition however his rivals aren't all to keen on him taking the limelight.
    Death Race is a great dumb action film, the plot is good though you wont remember it in 2 hours. The action is bloody and satisfying, the racing is tense and the film is well edited. Wrapping it all together is a half decent story, everything you need in an action movie...oh and Jason Statham.    … Full Review »
  2. TheQuietGamer
    8
    The story about a man who was framed for killing his wife isn't the most original thing in the world but it does a good job of setting the pace, if bloody adrenaline fueled action doesn't keep your attention, you may want to look elsewhere for your next movie.… Full Review »
  3. richards
    10
    It was a cool movie I think you should make a part 2 to this.
See all user reviews »