This year’s highly anticipated film, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” is a testament to the fact that video game adaptations have historically been disappointing. From forgettable films like “Assassin’s Creed” to regrettable ones like “Uncharted,” these movies have struggled to capture the thrill of interacting with a game. However, “Gran Turismo,” a new film based on the popular PlayStation racing franchise, takes a different approach. Instead of positioning itself as a game adaptation, it presents itself as a narrative that is centered around a real-life gamer, Jann Mardenborough. Jann, a teenager who became a professional driver after honing his skills on his PlayStation, provides the foundation for this unique and intriguing story.
While “Gran Turismo” still serves as a brand-extension exercise, featuring close-ups of fancy logos and Orlando Bloom as a Nissan executive, it presents itself in a humbler manner. Unlike other films, it doesn’t rely on cliffhangers or spin-offs, nor does it transform races into over-the-top gravity-defying spectacles. Instead, it offers an intriguing twist on the underdog sports tale. Jann’s greatest asset in this life-threatening sport is his deep understanding of the video game, which is illustrated through innovative visual effects. When racing on a real track, he envisions the path as a digital outline, blurring the lines between reality and the virtual world. Training for Jann involves more than physical and emotional transformation; he must also learn to see his sport beyond predictable inputs.
Assisting Jann on his journey is Jack Salter, a former professional racer and seasoned mentor figure, portrayed by David Harbour. Their relationship goes beyond the conventional mentor-mentee dynamic, delving into the fine line between confidence and cockiness in the world of racing. As the film explores their bond, it lightly probes why individuals willingly subject themselves to the dangers of hurtling around a closed loop in an automobile.
While the characters may not be as memorable as the sleek and captivating vehicles themselves, “Gran Turismo” remains satisfyingly simple. It embraces familiar tropes often found in sports biopics and coming-of-age movies, offering cinematic comfort food for viewers. Despite the abundance of subplots and the presence of love interests and rivals, the film ultimately conveys a feel-good finish from the very beginning.
Director Neill Blomkamp deserves praise for his breathtaking cinematography, which highlights the excitement and danger of motorsports. Through seat-rattling sound, sweeping drone shots, and immersive camerawork, the viewer is placed right alongside Jann, experiencing the adrenaline rush and heart-pounding moments on the track. These kinetic and stylish sequences skillfully sell the cars as well as convey the inherent thrill of the sport. Moments like Jann’s off-course crash and the accidental death of a spectator, based on a real-life incident from 2015, are particularly impactful and visceral to watch.
In a time when blockbusters constantly compete in delivering bigger stunts and higher stakes, “Gran Turismo” stands out as a refreshing and enjoyable summer crowd-pleaser. It provides a splashy backdrop for a familiar yet emotionally engaging story, reminiscent of beloved films like “The Karate Kid.” In a field where over-the-top action often dominates, the film’s inoffensive and comforting nature feels like a luxury.
This year’s highly anticipated film, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, is proof that video game adaptations have historically fallen short. From forgettable titles like Assassin’s Creed to regrettable ones like Uncharted, these films fail to capture the excitement of interactive gaming. However, Gran Turismo, based on the popular PlayStation racing franchise, takes a different approach. It doesn’t position itself as a game adaptation, but rather as a narrative centered around a real-life gamer, Jann Mardenborough.
Jann, a teenager who became a professional driver after honing his skills on his PlayStation, provides the foundation for this unique and intriguing story.
While Gran Turismo still serves as a brand-extension exercise, featuring close-ups of fancy logos and Orlando Bloom as a Nissan executive, it presents itself in a humbler manner. Unlike other films, it doesn’t rely on cliffhangers or spin-offs, nor does it transform races into over-the-top, gravity-defying spectacles.
Instead, it offers an intriguing twist on the underdog sports tale. Jann’s greatest asset in this life-threatening sport is his profound understanding of the video game, which is illustrated through innovative visual effects. When racing on a real track, he envisions the path as a digital outline, blurring the lines between reality and the virtual world. Training for Jann involves more than physical and emotional transformation; he must also learn to see his sport beyond predictable inputs.
Assisting Jann on his journey is Jack Salter, a former professional racer and seasoned mentor figure, portrayed by David Harbour. Their relationship goes beyond the conventional mentor-mentee dynamic, delving into the fine line between confidence and cockiness in the world of racing. As the film explores their bond, it lightly probes why individuals willingly subject themselves to the dangers of hurtling around a closed loop in an automobile.
While the characters may not be as memorable as the sleek and captivating vehicles themselves, “Gran Turismo” remains satisfyingly straightforward. It embraces familiar tropes often found in sports biopics and coming-of-age movies, offering cinematic comfort food for viewers. Despite the abundance of subplots and the presence of love interests and rivals, the film ultimately conveys a feel-good finish from the very beginning.
Director Neill Blomkamp deserves praise for his breathtaking cinematography, which highlights the excitement and danger of motorsports. Through seat-rattling sound, sweeping drone shots, and immersive camerawork, the viewer is immersed in Jann’s world, experiencing the adrenaline rush and heart-pounding moments on the track. These kinetic and stylish sequences sell the cars and convey the inherent thrill of the sport. Moments like Jann’s off-course crash and the accidental death of a spectator, based on a real-life incident from 2015, are particularly impactful and visceral to watch.
In a time when blockbusters constantly compete in delivering bigger stunts and higher stakes, “Gran Turismo” stands out as a refreshing and enjoyable summer crowd-pleaser. It provides a splashy backdrop for a familiar yet emotionally engaging story, reminiscent of beloved films like “The Karate Kid.” In a field where over-the-top action often dominates, the film’s inoffensive and comforting nature feels like a luxury.
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