Gran Turismo review

GRAN TURISMO: 

BIOPIC INSPIRED BY POPULAR PLAYSTATION VIDEO GAME BUILT WITH FAMILIAR NARRATIVE BUT FUELED BY HEART! 

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** out of 4

COLUMBIA PICTURES

Archie Madekwe, Orlando Bloom, and David Harbour in Gran Turismo

 

            A young man goes from gamer to racer in Gran Turismo, the new sports biopic inspired by the popular PlayStation video game series of the same name and third film based on a PlayStation property after 2016’s Ratchet & Clank and 2022’s Uncharted. The film is directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium, Chappie) and based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough, a Gran Turismo player who participated in the GT Academy and became a professional racecar driver. 

            I remembered playing a little bit of Gran Turismo as a kid though it wasn’t something I played on a regular basis (I recall playing Gran Turismo 3 on PS2 once at my cousin’s house). Since this is a biopic about a Gran Turismoplayer becoming a racer, it probably doesn’t require much knowledge of the Gran Turismo lore to hop into the driver’s seat…or any for that matter. 

            I remembered scratching my head in confusion when the movie was announced, how do you take a game with virtually no story and turn it into a film? But when I heard it was going to be based on a real-life Gran Turismo player who got a shot at becoming a racer and after seeing the trailer, I was onboard. 

            After seeing it, I have to admit Gran Turismo is a pretty good movie and the best of the PlayStation cinematic outings so far. It isn’t perfect by any means and the narrative is very derivate of other sports biopics, but the excellent cast, heartfelt scenes, and spectacular race sequences keep it on the racetrack. 

            The film follows Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe-Teen Spirit, Midsommar, See), a teenage Gran Turismo player from Cardiff who aspires to be a professional racecar driver.

When Jann sets a time record for a particular track in the game, he attends GT Academy established by Nissanmarketing executive Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom-The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Kingdom of Heaven) where he utilizes his gaming skills to win a series of competition and become an actual racer with help from his loyal trainer Jack Salter (David Harbour-Stranger Things, Hellboy (2019), Violent Night). 

            The film also stars Djimon Hounsou (Amistad, Gladiator, Marvel Cinematic Universe) as Jann’s father Steve Mardenborough, Darren Barnet (Never Have I Ever, Untitled Horror Movie, Love Hard) as Jann’s rival Matty Davis, Geri Halliwell (Crank 2: High Voltage) as Jann’s mother Lesley, Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong (2005), Infinity Pool, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny) as Patrice Capa, and Takehiro Hira (Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins) as real-life Gran Turismo creator Kazunori Yamauchi. 

            Overall, Gran Turismo may not earn an achievement for original storytelling, but it crosses the finish line at a comfortable pace thanks to stellar acting and genuine heart. As mentioned before, the plot is very derivative of other sports biopic storylines and hits familiar beats as many of them so aside from the fact that it’s a gamer turned racer, you’re not really getting much new in terms of story. 

            While the predictable narrative is a bit of a roadblock, it’s the performances that really steer the film towards the finish line. I haven’t seen Archie Madekwe in many things, but I thought he was very endearing and likable as Jann and has wonderful chemistry with Orlando Bloom and especially David Harbour who is also a huge standout in the film. 

            David Harbour, who is already one of my favorite underrated actors is amazing in the film as this GT Academy trainer who starts off grouchy and cynical but warms up to Jann and constantly supports him during his races. Harbour plays that role beautifully with some of his best scenes being when he and Madekwe are just talking to each other, and you see this friendship forming between the two and even manages to deliver some heartfelt moments in the film as well. 

            Orlando Bloom is also great in the film as the Nissan marketing executive who Jann befriends during his competitions and has enjoyable dialogue with Harbour. However, he’s not focused on nearly as much as Madekwe and Harbour which is where the focus should be anyway. 

            The race sequences are adrenaline-pumping and very well-shot and edited with just about every race leaving you on the edge of your seat. I appreciate how Blomkamp understands that these races should be as intense as possible and does this incredible camera work with swoops across the track, close-ups of two cars dueling from the road’s perspective, and the way the film incorporates several markers and icons from the video game into the race scenes is very clever, this is how you integrate game footage into your movie, Uwe Boll! 

            While the film could have used more Djimon Hounsou as Jann’s father, the scenes with Madekwe and Hounsou are very wholesome and where the film’s heart is. You see the love Hounsou’s character has for his son in every scene he’s in even if he doesn’t fully understand or agree with his dream, besides Madekwe’s interactions with Harbour, this is where the heart is. 

            The soundtrack is also a lot of fun with a unique blend of Kenny G and Black Sabbath that somehow fits with the film and is accurate to real life. It honestly kind of makes me want to check out more of Kenny G’s music someday. 

            Gran Turismo isn’t a perfect sports biopic, but the acting, heart, and exciting race sequences give this video game movie a gold trophy of its very own. It’s easily the best of the PlayStation movies and worth hopping into the driver’s seat for.