'Death Race' one for the lads

Director: Paul Anderson

Cast: Jason Statham, Ian McShane, Joan Allen

Cert: 16

The awful thing about this film is that it’s everything we hate about films – sexist, mindless, violent, virtually plotless – and exactly the sort of film the lads will thoroughly enjoy.

It has enough hot, sexy females and hot, noisy cars to please everyone and there’s enough explosive action to satisfy those who have the good sense to approach it with low expectations, if they must approach it at all.

Surprisingly it’s a film that hits the topicality button right on: the US economy is in freefall and former NASCAR champ Statham loses his job. He is then framed for the murder of his wife and sent to jail.

The warden there organises a money-spinning pay-per-view cross-country race and forces our hero to compete, with the promise of release if he does well … cue dirty deeds, crashes, flames and general mayhem.

There’s lots of mayhem … just don’t expect much else.

Star Rating: 2/5