Bullet Points: Death Race 3: Inferno
Most movies don’t quite live up to my expectations. I want them to be good when I know that in the end I’m going to be disappointed (most women can relate, I’m sure). I watch them anyways and usually I can find some good things hidden amongst the garbage but other times I’m left with a bad taste in my mouth and a need to re-watch Predator; to cleanse my palate. Death Race 3 was never meant to be Taxi Driver and I never expected it to be that but when you promise a certain level of automotive insanity, you better deliver!
The Gist: The story of Carl Lucas, aka “Frankenstein”, continues after his fourth victory in Death Race puts him on the brink of winning his freedom. Now his problems are compounded when a billionaire tries to franchise Death Race and sends Frankenstein and the other racers to the deserts of Africa.
The Cast: I don’t know what it is about Luke Goss but he just doesn’t do it for me. I don’t see how anyone could give a shit about his character. He’s starred in two Death Race movies and has shown less charisma than Jason Statham did in the first one. Maybe I just haven’t found the right Goss vehicle yet. He’s done a ton of action movies and I respect the hell out of him but if you could point me to a better Goss film, I would appreciate it. Tanit Phoenix, who I have never hear of (but you should totally Google her) plays his lady partner Katrina. She is insanely hot but only says like five words which makes her perfect for the role. Death Race 3: Inferno also has a pretty impressive support cast including Danny Trejo, Ving Rhames, and the returning Robin Shou.
I’m never surprised to see Danny Trejo in a movie. He hasn’t had a day off since 1991.
The Villain: Almost Wolverine Dougray Scott plays billionaire asshole Niles York. He is unbelievably inept at being a super-rich, British bad guy as his entire plan is for Frankenstein to lose the race yet he is hopeless to stop him. He really doesn’t do anything evil except for talking like a real Bond villain. If anything, he is no more evil than the other people who continue to have the Death Races except for the fact that he’s British…which makes him the perfect villain. There are also a bunch of other racers named Fury, and Razor; they sound like different scents of AXE body spray. They are apparently no more deadly cause they screw up at every opportunity.
Smug. Check. British. Check. Villian. Oh Yeah!
The Action: Frankenstein’s plan is so intricate it reminds me of one of the terrible Saw movies where they have to spend the last ten minutes telling you all the stuff that happened and how everything worked out just right. It wasn’t fun like Ocean’s Eleven, just a big “if you say so”. I did appreciate that they try to tidy things up for Death Race but the way that this movie leaves off allows for more sequels and I’m not sure that is something that needs to be done. People driving around in cars with machine guns on them is cool but there is only so many times you can have the exact same story happen with the same lead character who hardly ever speaks.
Just another excuse to post a Tanit Phoenix picture.
Take it Home:
- Alien Prequel: Weyland International is the name of Ving’s company.
- The Classics: Has anyone ever read Frankenstein cuase I’m getting real tired of Frankenstein’s Monster being referred to as Frankenstein.
- Liu Kang: It’s hard to believe that 14K is played by the Mortal Kombat and Beverly Hills Ninja star Robin Shou. Dude looks much different with his head shaved.
Rating: 2.75/5
