Death Race 2 – Blu-ray Review

The Film:

Let’s race.

I doubt if in 1975 that Roger Corman knew he would have a franchise on his hands. While technically Death Race is not really on his hands anymore, it’s a franchise now, thanks to Death Race 2 and all because of Frankenstein. The original Death Race 2000 featured Sly Stallone and David Carradine (as Frankenstein) in what would become a cult hit, and throughout the years would seemingly be ready for remake land with today’s effects and budgets, and that’s exactly what Paul W.S. Anderson did in 2008. Now, much like the corporate greed depicted in the films, a calling for a new film from Universal Studios – a prequel to the remake which was meant to be a homage/prequel in itself (you get this?) – comes with engines roaring.

Luckily for Frankenstein and on-lookers, Death Race 2 doesn’t crash and burn, but instead outraces expectations to a satisfying conclusion.

The one thing this lower budgeted, DTV sequel needed to do was to thrill in the correct B-movie categories, and thanks to a gritty, well-written script from Tony Giglio (Chaos, Timber Falls), Death Race 2 is an unexpected blast. Giglio’s script follows the potential back story to the Frankenstein we see early on in Paul W.S. Anderson’s remake (a clever cameo by the original Frankenstein, the late David Carradine). Here, we’re introduced to Carl Lucas (Luke Goss, Hellboy II) and his one bad mistake of accidentally killing a cop, that not only sends him to Terminal Island, but also having a bounty on his head from his ex-employer (played by Sean Bean).

So Death Race 2 is a prequel, and we see plenty of blood, boobs, and one-liners with the creation of Death Sport, an idea to stimulate a network’s ratings with prisoners going one-on-one, which bores, until The Weyland Corporation CEO (Ving f’ing Rhames) creates an upgraded version in Death Race. Surprisingly, with some many characters and ideas needed to be explored and shown to fit in line with Paul W.S. Anderson’s remake, Giglio’s script is well-paced, as it is never dull – not for a second – and pleases in the Corman way: cheap thrills in hot girls, cool cars, and explosions. Or, in those correct B-movie categories.

What’s not to love there? Sure, director Roel Reine (The Marine 2) might have his best film here in Death Race 2, but he’s no Anderson or Paul Bartel. His camera is too busy, but the cast (which also includes Danny Trejo and hottie Tanit Phoenix), the concept, the fast-paced script, makes for a rare treat. You know those rainy Saturday recommendations critics offer on DTV films for you? Here’s one. But don’t be ashamed if you’re watching it on a sunny afternoon. Corman would be proud. He’s a crazy motherf*cker, but cool.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: Universal Home Entertainment treats the HD disc right. With only minor banding issues, the overall transfer is detailed, colorful, pristine, making for a solid HD transfer. The audio booms. Constant rear speaker activity, deep bass, it’s a noisy surround field, and the film benefits from it. Good stuff, Uni.

Commentary: Director Roel Reine drives solo here, for an interesting, if not rudimentary track of the film’s origins and production. Decent listen.

These next few featurettes are all in HD and while decent, are nothing more than EPKs. The Race Begins: The Evolution of Death Race has the cast and crew talking about the film’s origins; Cheating Death recounts the fighting scenes and car stunts; and Fast Cars and Firearms: The Cars of Death Race 2 gives the cars there own segment in the spotlight.

Some good Deleted Scenes and more Deleted Scenes with director’s introductions, round out the extras. Also included are BD-Live functionality and the DVD, Digital Copy of the film.

The Film: Rating:

The Blu-ray: Rating: