Title: Death Race

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

Stars: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Ian McShane

Releasing Studio: Universal

Release Date: Aug. 22, 2008

Running Time: 98 Minutes

Rating: (14A)

Reviewed By: Robert Waldman (Vancouver Correspondent - Canada)

Danger lurks around every bend in Death Race, a mile a minute action flick from Universal Films now firing on all cylinders at Empire Studio 12, Oakridge Cinemas, Colossus and Famous Players Theatres across Canada.  Bonafide action hero Jason Statham (The Bank Job) continues his winning ways as a con set up to partake in a road race.

Rules are made to be broken and freshly minted Jensen Ames has got his work cut out for him.  Separated from his wife and baby daughter, this hardworking blue-collar guy just can't seem to get a break.  Bad luck sees him hauled off to jail; forget about passing "Go" and collecting $100.  Once sent to Terminal Island our mile mannered man gets put to the test when he is "enrolled" in a rather unique prison program.

Rehabilitation in this all male corrections facility consists of a select few being given the green light to participate in a road race.  Nine convicts are weeded out and these macho men get behind the wheels in a no holds barred prison sanctioned rally.  Only this car chase is rather rigged.  Drivers literally are in a battle for their lives as they're told if they win five races they get to go free.  Under the watchful eyes of compliant guards, and a very eager warden, let's just say that this three-face race gets bolder and bloodier by each lap.

Women's equality takes on a whole new meaning as the warden of this prison is a stylish lady named Hennessey.  Ice ladies have nothing on Joan Allen (The Bourne Identity) who just sizzles as the mean-spirited organizer as this fight to the death on wheels.  Taken from the classic 70s flick from horror pioneer Roger Corman this updated version comes across as a Fast and The Furious installment set behind bars.

Steady as he goes Jason Statham is full value as the guy set up and put to the test to take on a series of maniacal criminals.  Earlier driving stints in the classic Transporter films clearly have put Jason in good stead as he's terrific as the carefree decent guy forced to conform to all those new roadside tactics.  Defensive driving goes out the window - or does it - as the mayhem on the street around the jail become the ultimate road rage full of carnage.

James Bond fans will be licking their chops with envy as director Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil) one ups the weapons quotient on the classic Aston Martin DB 5 with a host of gadget packed features sure to be the envy of any police department.  Nice support work from the likes of Ian McShane (We Are Marshall), Tyrese Gibson (Transformers) and newcomer Natalie Martinez in a sizzling debut helped make Death Race a whole lot of fun if you like 98 minutes of macho, over the top action.