Gran Turismo (2023) Review!!

Synopsis – Based on the unbelievable, inspiring true story of a team of underdogs – a struggling, working-class gamer, a failed former race car driver, and an idealistic motorsport exec – who risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world.

My Take – Released in 1997, Gran Turismo, created by Kazunori Yamauchi, not only went on to become PlayStation‘s biggest-selling title, but also one of the gaming console’s biggest franchises. Wildly popular due to its meticulous in-game recreations of famous race tracks and cars, it allowed gamers from around the world to gain familiarity with circuits and vehicles in the motorsport.

Now jumping from consoles to the silver screen, the film is incredibly based on the true story of one Jann Mardenborough, an avid teenage gamer who was able to become a professional race car driver. It’s a wild story and the fact that it is based on real events is astounding.

But in the hands of director Neil Blomkamp (District 9, Chappie), who brings an appealing speed and cornball enthusiasm to his first video game adaptation, the film is a scintillating, exhilarating watch, fizzing with energy and momentum from start to finish.

Yes, the story beats are all pretty familiar and follow the usual sports film formula. There’s the underdog, the jaded mentor, the aggressive rival, and the customary montage shots. None of it is ground breaking, yet it is all presented and packaged up well.

Most importantly, it isn’t interested in re-inventing either that genre or the video game adaptation; merely blending the two into an untroubled, pleasing whole. Anchored by detailed and immersive graphics, the film is simply a wickedly good time. It’s a fantastic story with a sprinkling of cliché, filled to the brim with nail-biting race sequences and a ton of heart.

The story follows Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), a British teenager, who possess a unique talent which most around him cannot see. Particularly his obsession with the video game Gran Turismo. His parents, Steve (Djimon Hounsou) and Lesley (Geri Halliwell), don’t really understand his passion and worry about him, especially since he dropped out of university to pursue his dream of becoming a race car driver.

An opportunity finally comes knocking when he selected to join the newly-minted GT Academy, in a program started by Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom), a motorsport marketing executive at Nissan. A program which allow Jann and other players like him to convert their virtual skills into the real world, under the tutelage of Jack Salter (David Harbour), a well experienced crew chief.

Those who pass out will not only turn into real car racers but will also be given the opportunity to compete against the best funded, most experienced drivers in the world.

From there it follows the map of the sports film exactly, to the door of an underdog wunderkind through the tunnel of the obligatory training montage, up the hill of the sport related injury and rising self-doubt before barreling to the finish line, neck-and-neck with the arrogant pro trying to play gatekeeper to new blood. The film has the hum of a modern blockbuster machine, but its storytelling mechanics are decidedly old-school. It’s a rags-to-riches fairy tale simulator.

But the beginning of the film is clunky at best, but that’s partly because it has a lot of heavy lifting to do. In 30 minutes, it introduces Jann’s life in Cardiff, explains the premise of the game, and outline the concept of eSports to newcomers. And you are forced to sit through some very heavy-handed scenes that hammer home just how against the odds Jann’s story is, just how different gaming is to real life, and just how much of a risk it was for Nissan to take part. The point isn’t just conveyed, it’s hammered.

But then once Jann heads to the Top Gun-esque GT Academy, things begin to pick up. The screenplay by Jason Hall and Zach Baylin enhances the film massively, as do Jacques Jouffret‘s cinematography and graphics, as well as the monumental score by Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski. The direction from Blomkamp is crisp and clean yet also energetic and chaotic, which makes for a visually engaging film. You really feel the excitement and thrill and danger of the racing, which was crucial to establish and get across, and was handled well.

In every racing scene, you feel like you’re in the car with Jann and the film does a great job of showcasing the dangers of racing, which left me on the edge of our seat every time he made a risky pass. When the lights go green at the beginning of every race, the whole theater vibrates with the sound of the engine starting up. A concoction of stellar sound design, a blood-pumping score, and some sweeping cinematography meant that we were regularly holding our breath. And not just from the will they win aspect.

Performance wise, Archie Madekwe makes for a really solid lead, bringing a strong emotional presence and charisma to his character. Orlando Bloom also anchors his likable character well, but David Harbour is the scene stealer here. Harbour sells all the hackneyed, expected mentor business: the aging-legend saltiness, the pit-stop pep talks, and the eventual transformation into a true believer. If the film occasionally grazes the genuine soul of something like Rocky, he’s a big reason why.

In supporting roles, Djimon Hounsou, Geri Halliwell, Daniel Puig, Darren Barnet, Josha Stradowski, Maeve Courtier-Lilley and Thomas Kretschmann are effective. On the whole, ‘Gran Turismo’ is a terrifically executed racing flick that is constantly intense and heart pounding.