Gran Turismo is a slow-burning ride based on a true story.
Sony is preparing to bring the virtual gaming world to the big screen again with their upcoming movie “Gran Turismo.” Following the success of their previous PlayStation adaptation “Uncharted,” Sony is now gearing up for a biographical sports drama. The much-loved racing game franchise inspires this film and is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Neill Blomkamp. He is renowned for his visionary storytelling in movies such as “District 9” and “Elysium.” This high-octane film will hit theaters on August 25, 2023.
“Gran Turismo” attempts to combine the excitement of the iconic video game franchise with the adrenaline-pumping allure of professional motorsports. However, the movie falls short of fulfilling the expectations set by similar films that have come before it. I wanted this film to dive deeper into the world of cars, competition, and adrenaline, but it barely scratches the surface.
The premise revolves around a talented gamer transforming his virtual prowess into a real-life racing career through a series of Nissan-sponsored video game competitions. This setup teases the potential for a captivating underdog story with a modern twist. However, “Gran Turismo” struggles in its execution. One major issue lies in the pacing. The film invests a substantial portion of its runtime in the protagonist’s personal life and character development before delving into the racing scenes. While character-building is essential, the delay in getting to the heart of the racing action hampers the film’s momentum and leaves the audience yearning for the promised thrills.
When the movie finally reaches the racing scenes, it disappointingly relies heavily on montages.
This choice may compress time and emphasize the protagonist’s journey, but it robs the audience of their anticipated immersive experience. Viewers expecting heart-pounding sequences like those found in the “Fast and Furious” franchise or the technical brilliance of “Ford vs Ferrari” may crave more substantial and detailed racing action. The film’s cast, while talented, lacks recognizable names that could draw a wider audience. A standout performance came from David Harbour. Harbour’s charisma elevated the film’s overall appeal. Other well-known names in this film are Djimon Hounsou and Orlando Bloom, but outside of them, everyone is unknown.
“Gran Turismo” fails to capitalize on its inherent advantage—the iconic cars. While the film showcases a variety of vehicles, it could have done more justice to car enthusiasts by featuring a greater selection of cars and offering detailed, edge-of-your-seat racing sequences that truly capture the essence of the video game franchise.
Verdict
I give Gran Turismo 3 out of 5 stars. Despite offering an intriguing premise that blends the virtual and real-world racing realms, the film has a sluggish start, an excessive reliance on montages, and a lack of recognizable names. While it does manage to capture moments of adrenaline, it misses the mark in delivering the full-throttle racing experience fans were hoping for. Read more Reviews on Nerdtropolis and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube.
Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.