With three movies under its belt, we can safely say Universal has established a franchise with the “Death Race” movies. Who knew a big-screen remake of Roger Corman’s apocalyptic 1970s B-movie “Death Race 2000” would do so well in theaters and merit prequels and sequels? The latest entry in the series is the satisfying “Death Race 3: Inferno.”
Many might see two direct-to-DVD follow-ups to a movie as a desperate attempt at wringing more money out of the concept before it dries up. I see it as returning to its roots, as the equivalent of B-movies these days are cheaply made projects released directly to the home entertainment market.
Carl Lucas is legendary when it comes to the prison sport known as Death Race. He’s been known as Frankenstein ever since his supposed death. Lucas is the greatest driver of the infamous race. When Death Race goes global, he’s taken to South Africa to compete in a deadly duel across the Kalahari Desert. He has one win left before he and his crew are to be set free. Unfortunately, the new owner of Death Race wants him to lose on purpose or die. What would Death Race be without its most popular driver Frankenstein?
“Death Race 3: Inferno” definitely doesn’t feel like a B-movie in the scale of its production. Huge explosions and expansive shots of vehicles tricked out with all sorts of artillery give the movie a bigger budget look than it should have. You can tell director Roel Reine takes these movies seriously and pushes his budget and shooting schedule as far as he can when it comes to special effects and multiple camera shots.
Writers Paul W.S. Anderson and Tony Giglio don’t skimp on a sensible and engrossing script for “Death Race 3: Inferno.” They could easily have just had a bunch of cars blowing each other up in South Africa. However, they didn’t settle for that. Anderson and Giglio put some thought into the storyline and come up with a plot that includes some suspense and mystery as the viewer tries to figure out how Frankenstein’s ultimate plan will pan out and ultimately work.
Death Race 3: Inferno” is the perfect movie to watch in high-definition. Thanks to great video and audio transfers, every fiery burst looks and sounds phenomenal. There’s plenty of gunfire, revving engines, and thundering explosions to deafen and shake audiences in a home theater.
Bonus material for the Blu-ray release includes an alternate opening, deleted scenes, and commentary with director Roel Reine. There are three featurettes entitled “The Making of ‘Death Race 3: Inferno,'” “Racing for Death,” and “Art Imitating Life: Goldberg.” A “Deleted Shots Montage” is featured as well.
“Death Race 3: Inferno” rises above much of the straight-to-DVD fodder released these days. A good story mixed with plenty of destruction will please fans of the first two entries. What action film enthusiast wouldn’t like to watch cars race through the desert while running into each other and blowing up?
Death Race 3: Inferno” is available now in a Blu-ray + Digital Copy + DVD Combo Pack.
For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:
“Death Race 2” Blu-ray / DVD Movie Review
Drive Angry 3D” Movie Review
Interview with ‘Drive Angry 3-D’ Screenwriter and Actor Todd Farmer
