Action movie legendJason Statham’s 2008 sci-fi thriller impresses on its new streaming debut, just four days after switching platforms. Statham shot to fame when he was cast in the role of Bacon in Guy Ritchie’s directorial debut,Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and paired with him again for a leading role inSnatch. The critical and commercial success of the movies led to him starring inThe Transportertrilogyand movies likeCrank,The Italian Jobremake,Hummingbird, andSafe, further cementing him as one of Hollywood’s leading action stars.
Statham has continued to carve out a niche in the action-thriller genre, with a few showings against type, such as a supporting role in the romantic dramaLondon, and a memorable co-starring turn in the action-comedySpy. In 2010, he starred as Lee Christmas inThe Expendables, a role he has played in all four movies inThe Expendablesfranchise, and played the lead in creature-featuresMeg, andMeg 2: The Trench. Butone of Statham’s more underrated sci-fi action thrillers came in 2008and was a remake of a 1975 classic, which has taken streaming platforms by storm.
Death Race Is Performing Well On Max
The High-Octane Thriller Is Cruising Up The Charts
Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson,Death Racewas released in 2008, and made $76 million against a $45-65 million budget. The movie isconsidered a remake of the 1975 cult-classicDeath Race 2000, and co-stars Joan Allen, Tyrese Gibson, andJohn Wickstar Ian McShane. The dystopian movie was not as successful as anticipated, and, unlike many of Statham’s movies, did not do enough at the box office to launch a franchise. However,Death Racefound a new home on the streaming platform Max, which is where it is performing well.
I feel the movie being so delightfully over-the-top means it provides some much-needed escapism for viewers
Just four days into its stint on Max,Death Racecurrently sits at #8 on the streamer’s Top 10 Movies Today chart. The movie sits aboveMegamindat #9 andNinja Assassinat #10, whilst it is currently belowThe Gooniesat #7,The Polar Expressat #6,Clash of the Titansat #5, documentaryYacht Rockat #4,National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacationat #3,Sweetheartsat #2, andElfat #1. How long the movie will remain on the charts remains to be seen, but it’s certainly a strong debut for the film.
Our Verdict OnDeath Race’s Streaming Success
The Film Offers Explosive Escapism
It might seem strange for amovie likeDeath Raceto be charting this close to the festive season, but I feel the film being so delightfully over-the-top means it provides some much-needed escapism for viewers. One of the core reasons behind Statham’s career success has been his rejuvenation of the action genre in the 2000s and 2010s, as people seek more escapism from their movies, and films likeDeath Raceare perfect to put on and not have to think about, which provides a mental respite from the stress that comes with planning the festive season.
Sylvester Stallone, who would later work with Statham on all fourExpendablesmovies, appeared inDeath Race 2000.
Death Raceis also one of Statham’s more underrated works. Despite its high-octane action, the film received only a 41% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes, and a still-mixed 60% Popcornmeter among audience members. Between these scores and its lackluster box office,Death Racewas easily forgotten within Statham’s filmography. Furthermore, the film is a one-off movie that was not part of a Statham-led franchise, meaning that its presence could easily be eclipsed by the likes ofTheExpendables, which came out just two years later. So,Death Raceis a great one to check out for those looking for forgotten Statham work.
Thus, watchingDeath Raceis a good way for viewers to be apprised of this recent Statham success. I think it is a great time to re-immerse oneself in Statham’s work, too, as the actor has a busy slate of films coming up. Statham will re-team withThe Beekeeper’s David Ayer for an action-thriller calledLevon’s Trade. He will also soon be inMutiny, which recently got hopeful updates with casting information and images. Statham’s reign in action movies is far from over, so it is good for genre audiences to keep watching his work on streaming in preparation.
Death Race
Cast
Death Race is a 2008 action film set in a near-future dystopia where prisons are privatized and inmates participate in a deadly televised car race. The narrative follows a falsely convicted man forced to compete in the high-stakes Death Race, designed as a violent entertainment spectacle for global audiences.
