'Death Race 2000' Review

The year is 2000. 70s fashions are hip again, Sylvester Stallone is in his late 20s, and Americans really hate the French. Well at least these guys got one thing right when trying to predict the future. Made in 1975, Death Race 2000 is the story of a futuristic cross-country race in which racers attempt to hit as many innocent pedestrians as possible. We've also changed our name to the "United Provinces of America", and "Mr. President" has been in power since 1979.

The real important thing about this fantasy future is America's continually escalating love of violence, competitive sports, and vehicular mayhem. This national bloodlust is reflected in "The Race", the cross-country killing fest that is the main subject of this movie. It doesn't sound funny, but cult film legend Roger Corman seems to be able to pump his own brand of dark humor into any subject. Corman, who produced this picture, had previously teamed up with screenwriter Charles Griffith to create several other films, including A Bucket of Blood, which we reviewed just a few weeks ago.

Like many of Corman's other B Movies, Death Race has become a cult classic, and for good reason. The campy qualities of this film just can't be overstated, because the movie doesn't come close to seriousness even for second. It's hard to feel bad for any of the people that get run over, because it's just so entertaining to watch them die. This movie was made on a fairly small budget, so the deaths are obviously very fake looking, and are all very funny. Take, for instance, the so-called "euthanasia day" at the geriatrics hospital. Doctors and nurses casually move the elderly into the street to be "scored" by a popular driver (Seniors are worth the most points). Rather than take the easy 700 points, the driver, known as Frankenstein because he's had so many body parts replaced, opts to run over the doctors and nurses instead. What follows is a few minutes of TV hosts analyzing the move, and they come to the conclusion that Frankenstein has a "100% red-blooded American sense of humor".

Death Race doesn't really just on people getting run over for laughs, though. The movie is filled with humorous social commentary and parody, such as the "Bipartisan Party", the only political and religious force of the new "United Provinces of America." Sylvester Stallone's typical tough-guy persona works well here, and David Carradine isn't too bad as the star driver Frankenstein either. Stallone's character is perpetually annoyed by Frankenstein, and makes half-hearted attempts to confront his fans and supporters throughout the race, but is too afraid to confront Frankenstein directly.

Like most of Roger Corman's films, Death Race 2000 was made on a rather low budget. Corman was very good at making the most of limited funds, and by the time Death Race rolled around he had more experience making successful low-budget movies than anyone before him, and arguably anyone since. This talent really pays off in films like this one. The cars, though most are just plain old consumer vehicles with some minor body work, look pretty convincing as fast moving, pedestrian slaughtering station wagons of death. The sets and casting were pretty good, too. Certain things, like the futuristic backgrounds at the beginning of the movie, and the pedestrians getting run over, look very fake and cheesy. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as the cheesy deaths add quite a lot to the appeal of the movie.

As is the case with most of the Charles Griffith/Roger Corman collaborations, Death Race 2000 is a darkly comical film with moments of both sheer insanity and subtle (or not so subtle) social commentary. The blend of slapstick humor, parody, and just plain campiness put this movie among Corman's finest. The final grade:

Stats & Info
Rating: Rated R
Rarity: Common
Genre: Action/Sci-Fi
Released: 1975
Country of Origin: USA
Video: Color; Fullscreen (1.33:1)
Audio: English
Plot: Transcontinental vehicular slaughterfest through a future American nation
How Bad Is It? - The visual and audio effects are somewhat lacking, but a good story and decent acting make up for it. But there is a giant easter egg. And tiny people. It's not that bad, I swear.