The story of a video gamer who becomes a real race car driver sounds like it has the makings of an inspiring sports drama. Unfortunately, the movie doesn’t deliver. Archie Madekwe stars as Jann Mardenborough, a Welsh Gran Turismo player whose skills win him entry into Nissan’s GT Academy. But he must prove himself on the track and fend off the skepticism of racing veterans.
The Story
After a flimsy introductory framing sequence that echoes John Frankenheimer’s Grand Prix, Neill Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo moves Jann Mardenborough through training camp and competition rounds before launching him toward the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The movie, which takes a big chunk of its inspiration from Ford v Ferrari, uses a real-life racing crash (which killed a spectator) at the Nurburgring Nordschleife to add drama to the climax.
Archie Madekwe does a good job as the movie’s reluctant hero, and David Harbour and Orlando Bloom make their presence felt in key supporting roles. But the movie’s story feels pre-packaged and rushed. The movie’s attempts to inject a sense of reality with visual flourishes like video game-like display screens and car suspensions shuddering over curbs are mostly superficial and tame. Even so, Gran Turismo offers a high-octane ride for fans of the franchise. It’s just a shame that the film doesn’t have the time or depth to live up to its potential.
The Cast
Neill Blomkamp’s biographical sports drama Gran Turismo is about more than just the racing circuit. It’s about family and faith, and it’s about finding the courage to thread the needle of fate. It stars Archie Madekwe, David Harbour (from Stranger Things), Orlando Bloom, Geri Halliwell Horner, and Darren Barnet.
The film sticks close to its real-life source, even if it occasionally loses steam. The movie’s story of a biracial Cardiff gamer turning pro racer is inspiring and heartwarming. But the drama never feels fully rounded out, as both Jann’s rivalry with her nepo-baby mentor and his romance with a journalist play second fiddle to the car action.
It’s a shame, because Gran Turismo has some excellent actors. David Harbour is particularly strong as Salter, the ex-racer who trains Jann and an unexpected group of teenage underdogs. He and Orlando Bloom’s excitable marketing executive are the film’s driving force. They keep the momentum up even as some of the movie’s plot contrivances go awry.
The Visuals
The racing scenes are gripping, done with a modern flare, and the film’s mentor-student relationship between Jann and Jack holds your attention. The movie does fall into some familiar traps that can bury a story in jargon or product placement, though.
Director Neill Blomkamp has a strong track record (District 9, CHAPPiE, Elysium) and an eye for dazzling visuals. He also has a tendency to use his filmmaking as a vehicle for commentary on issues like xenophobia and segregation, even when the subject matter is not suited for such overt political themes. Thankfully, Gran Turismo is not one of those films. The movie sticks close to its true-life source material and does laps around most other sports movies in terms of aspirational, fist pumping action. It’s also quite involved despite the fact that you know from the start that Jann will win some races and lose others. The primewire film manages to raise emotions like hope, trepidation, disappointment, fluttery feelings of love, and the euphoria of unlikely success.
The Audio
The story of Gran Turismo gamer-turned-racer Jann Mardenborough is a fist pump of aspiration for gamers who can relate to the struggle to overcome limitations and follow their dreams. The director, Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Chappie, Elysium), is a master at elevating emotions, and the movie does laps around other sports movies.
However, the movie does take some liberties in spicing up the real-life events to make them dramatic. It cherry picks two key events to dramatize Mardenborough’s rise to prominence: his role in a racing team with three “sim drivers” at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a tragic accident at the Nurburgring Nordschleife that actually killed a spectator.
Despite some missteps in the script, Gran Turismo is a good underdog sports movie that will appeal to teens. It’s also an excellent vehicle for product placement and a showcase for Nissan and its auto brands. My kids, ages 7 and 9, loved it. Younger kids may be scared in one scene, so parents will have to decide if this is appropriate for them.