Watch Death Race 2050
- R
- 2017
- 1 hr 32 min
-
3.7 (4,522)
In the year 2050, the world has become a vastly different place. The ultimate form of entertainment is the Death Race, a brutal competition where drivers battle each other in heavily armed and modified vehicles. The reigning champion, Frankenstein (Manu Bennett), is beloved by the masses for his ruthless victories, but the government and corporate sponsors seek to oust him from the top spot.
In Death Race 2050, Frankenstein faces off against a new crop of opponents, including a genetically enhanced super-soldier, a transgender artist and activist, a smarmy reality TV star, and a religious zealot who uses the race as a means to punish sinners. Along for the ride is his navigator, Annie (Marci Miller), a rebellious and fiercely independent woman who challenges Frankenstein's worldview and stirs up feelings he didn't know he had.
As the race becomes more dangerous and unpredictable, Frankenstein and his crew must fight for survival against both their rivals and the hazards of the course. Meanwhile, the sinister CEO of the race, Chairman Sullivan (Malcolm McDowell), manipulates the proceedings from behind the scenes, determined to keep the masses distracted from the dire realities facing the world.
Directed by G.J. Echternkamp, Death Race 2050 is a darkly satirical and action-packed thriller that ratchets up the extreme violence and social commentary of its 1975 predecessor, Death Race 2000. With nods to contemporary issues like social media and government surveillance, this film also serves as a commentary on the state of the world in 2017, when it was released.
Manu Bennett delivers a commanding performance as the tortured and conflicted Frankenstein, who must come to terms with his own complicity in the violence of the race while fighting to keep his hard-won title. Marci Miller shines as Annie, a fierce and dynamic character who challenges traditional gender roles and brings a refreshing complexity to the male-dominated genre.
Malcolm McDowell, a veteran actor with a long history of playing villainous roles, is perfectly cast as the slimy and ruthless Chairman Sullivan, who revels in the spectacle of the race and sees it as a means to consolidate his own power. Burt Grinstead, as the obnoxious and self-absorbed reality TV star Jed Perfectus, provides comic relief and a scathing parody of our media-obsessed culture.
The action sequences in Death Race 2050 are thrilling and inventive, incorporating everything from bazookas to flamethrowers to cowcatchers on the cars. The special effects are impressive for a low-budget production, with the different cars and weapons conveying the individual personalities of the drivers.
Overall, Death Race 2050 is a worthy addition to the cult classic franchise, updating the themes and messages of the original while still delivering the over-the-top violence and spectacle that fans have come to expect. With its diverse cast, sharp writing, and impressive action sequences, it's a film that warrants repeated viewings and thoughtful analysis.
Death Race 2050 is a 2017 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.7.