Universal Pictures has produced a remake of the Roger Corman cult classic Death Race 2000. Directed by Paul Bartel (Eating Raoul, Cannonball!), this satirical take on a future America where hit and run is no longer a crime but a televised national pastime has topped many critics cult favorites since its release in 1976.
Paul W.S. Anderson (Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil) writes and directs the updated take (once titled Death Race 3000). There is little doubt Anderson has earned his stripes as a genre filmmaker, but blood and mayhem are not enough to satisfy rabid film fans. He has encountered anger from the video game community for the liberties taken in adapting some of the most beloved titles in the gaming pantheon. Anderson faced criticisms regarding his Death Race 2000 remake before shooting a single frame.
Casting
A stellar cast will no doubt quell fears held by fans of the original film.
--Jason Statham (The Bank Job, Crank) takes the wheel as anti-hero Jensen Aimes
--Ian McShane (Scoop, TV’s Deadwood) plays Coach, Aimes’ mentor in evasive driving and high-caliber weaponry
--Tyrese Gibson (2 Fast 2 Furious, Transformers) takes on the role of Machine-Gun Joe, a character played in the original by a young Sylvester Stallone
--Oscar winner Joan Allen, as a treacherous television executive
Too Safe?
The original Roger Corman production starred a wild array of up-and-coming stars as well as actors from his established stable of performers.
David Carradine starred the first time around, playing a black jump-suited anti-hero named Frankenstein. Martin Kove (Karate Kid, TV’s Cagney & Lacey) co-starred as Nero the Hero. And Corman stalwart Mary Woronov (Rock n’ Roll High School, Cover Girl Models) assayed the role of Calamity Jane.
Even a cursory comparison of character names from the original to the remake yields ideas as to their differences. It would be easy to determine that the original has a gonzo originality that the new Death Race lacks.
If that can be said of character names, how can fans of the dark, satirical tone of the original hope that will fair in the remake?
Anderson responds to critics
In an interview on mtv.com, Anderson responded to fan complaints arising from the release of the film’s trailer. His responses were evasive at best, condescending at worst and confirm the worst suspicions about the new version. Gone is the irreverent, anarchic spirit and is replaced with big guns and bigger explosions.
In particular, when questioned about excluding cameos from stars of the original, Anderson said, “I…wouldn’t want this to become a cheesy cameo-fest”. Faithfulness to Paul Bartel’s blackly comic masterpiece is not a priority to director Anderson.
Will Anderson’s remake find a place in history alongside its inspiration? That much, as always, is up to the fans.
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