For those expected a reboot akin to the Hollywood sheen provided for the series by Jason Statham’s Frankenstein should look away now. Those remembering the 1975 Stallone vehicle will know exactly what they are getting here, WACKY RACES with violence.

 

The story is the same as ever, the annual race is a distractor for the poverty and post-apocalyptic world that is now inhabited. Featuring some overtly characteristic racers, it is Frankenstein who is the veteran with the winning ration and as per the series’ previous entries, the hero takes a journey from villain to hero as he brings down the corruption the leads the games.

 

DEATH RACE has never been associated with Oscar worthy scripts and even with the series more mainstream entries have never worried more serious film makers but what is offered on the battle to the finish line are some blood shredding deaths, high octane racing and laughs throughout (some intentional, some not). The cars and low budget hark back at the 1975 cult classic and will certainly not appeal to anyone who wasn’t a fan the first time round however it certainly has the makings of a cult classic on its own merits.

 

Manu Bennett’s Frankenstein is a knowingly one-note character and Malcolm McDowell’s villainous games master has more cheese than Switzerland as he delivers a swagger of arrogance and tyranny across the games. Neither have their finest hour here but at least it seems they had fun between the matchbox car racing and overtly offensive take on the future of the planet.

 

Cheap, violent and unflattering performances should mark DEATH RACE 2050 as an instant bomb but instead, taking on Roger Corman’s vision of the series brings some nostalgia when cinema was terrible yet has found some love with an audience so many years later. This will not appeal to the masses but for those looking for some adrenaline fuelled fun with no need for the brain to be switched on, you could do a lot worse.