Watch Rat Race
- PG-13
- 2001
- 1 hr 52 min
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6.5 (124,730)
Rat Race is an American comedy film from 2001 directed by Jerry Zucker. It stars Breckin Meyer, Amy Smart, and Whoopi Goldberg, along with a large and talented ensemble cast. The movie follows a group of individuals who find themselves in a crazy and hilarious race across the country to win a two million dollar cash prize. The film begins with a group of strangers receiving invitations to participate in a race to find a locker containing two million dollars. The race starts in Las Vegas, Nevada, and ends in Silver City, New Mexico. Each contestant is given a key to the locker, and the first one to open it will take home the prize money.
The contestants include an estranged mother and daughter duo, a failing businessman, a narcoleptic Italian, a con artist and a football referee, among others. Each of them has their reasons for participating in the race, and they soon find out that they will have to overcome numerous obstacles and challenges to stay in the running.
Throughout their journey, they encounter a series of bizarre and hilarious situations, from a high-speed car chase to a pit stop at a museum full of eccentric exhibits. Their adventures take them through a number of small towns, where they meet some equally strange and colourful characters.
One particularly memorable moment comes when the contestants find themselves in a small town called Adolfville - a theme park dedicated to Adolf Hitler. There, they encounter a group of neo-Nazis who are staging a reenactment of World War II. It's a scene that is both outrageously funny and slightly uncomfortable to watch.
The film's humour is largely based on slapstick comedy, but there are also some moments of clever wit and satire. One example is the portrayal of the wealthy businessman who has lost everything - he is shown as someone who is out of touch with reality and is willing to do almost anything to win the prize money. This is a commentary on the greed and desperation that can drive people to extreme measures.
The ensemble cast of Rat Race is impressive, with each actor bringing their own unique brand of talent to the screen. Whoopi Goldberg is particularly memorable as a disgruntled tour bus driver who takes on the role of reluctant leader of the group. She is funny and endearing, and her character provides a nice contrast to the more selfish and self-involved contestants.
Breckin Meyer and Amy Smart also deliver solid performances as the young couple who are initially reluctant to participate in the race but find themselves getting caught up in the excitement. Their characters have a sweet and believable chemistry, and their story arc provides a satisfying emotional payoff.
Overall, Rat Race is a fun and entertaining movie that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's a good choice if you're looking for a light-hearted comedy that will make you laugh out loud. The film's fast pace and high-energy action make it a perfect pick me up for a lazy afternoon, and its strong cast and clever humour ensure that it holds up well over time.
Rat Race is a 2001 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 52.