We had the chance of another early screening recently thanks to those top folk at Cineworld with the Unlimited Screening of Gran Turismo starring David Harbour, Orlando Bloom and Archie Madekwe.
Gran Turismo is based on the unbelievable true story of a team of unlikely underdogs – a struggling working-class gamer (Archie Madekwe), a failed former racecar driver (David Harbour), and an idealistic motorsport executive (Orlando Bloom). Together, they risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world. Gran Turismo is an inspiring, thrilling, and action-packed story that proves that nothing is impossible when you’re fueled from within.
At first, a lot of folks would think that Gran Turismo is based on the video game of the same name, in a way it is, but this new high-octane movie is based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough a young gamer that had high ambitions and then one day he is given the chance thanks to his skills of driving what has become one of the best driving simulations on a console to take his love of racing and put it to the test on a real track with a powerful racing car at the Nissan GT Academy.
Known for his sci-fi movies District 9 and Chappie, director Neil Blomkamp has brought us a movie that is much more than just a movie about fast cars and racing, it shows the passion and love that Jann has for the sport and how his perseverance gets him to a point that he was doing what he loves the most.
Gran Turismo follows Jann (Madekwe) from a young game player to a professional race car driver, not only does he race the circuits and fight to get his FIA licence, he faces challenges that hardened driver face including a draw-dropping incident with an “OMG!” moment while he is racing on the gruelling Nürburgring which I have to say looked terrifying on the big screen.
Keep your eyes peeled for some great special effects when Jann (Madekwe) is on the PlayStation and we get a great-looking CGI effect of the car building up around him.
This a movie, like most based on true story production, that does have odd occasions with a documentary feel but it works very well for the story. The races look and sound amazing on the big screen and although our Cineworld Unlimited Screening was on a standard screen I can only imagine how it looks and sounds on the IMAX screen!
The cast all work well together and I did enjoy seeing David Harbour and Orlando Bloom in the movie, I also enjoyed Djimon Hounsou‘s role as Jann’s father, although I have to say that Geri Halliwell Horner‘s did put me off a tad with what seemed to be a little lacklustre and a little wooden.
Gran Turismo is an interesting movie and a great look into the story of Jann Mardenborough it’s not going to be a movie for everyone and especially those that think that the movie is solely based on the PlayStation game. But if you are interested in true story movies or even just enjoy a movie with fast cars and loud engines then you may want to check out the movie.
A nice touch to the movie is during the end credits we are given info about Jann and what he has accomplished since the GT Academy and he even did some of the stunt driving in the Gran Turismo movie, which is a nice touch.
An inspirational movie based on a true story
Movie title: Gran Turismo (2023)
Movie description: Based on the unbelievable, inspiring true story of a team of underdogs - a struggling, working-class gamer, a failed former race car driver, and an idealistic motorsport exec - who risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world.
Date published: August 10, 2023
Country: UK
Duration: 2h 15m
Director(s): Neill Blomkamp
Actor(s): David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Summary
Gran Turismo is an interesting drama about the world of gaming and how it can take you to higher places.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
