The Ultimate Gran Turismo Review: Unveiling the Epitome of Racing Excellence
Gran Turismo's stunning racing visuals and immersive gameplay overshadow its weak storyline and underdeveloped characters, leaving players craving for a more engaging narrative experience
The era of video game adaptations has had its successes and failures, but one thing is clear: Hollywood is capitalizing on every IP available. Gran Turismo, however, finds itself in a peculiar position. It seems to be a combination of a typical sports film and an adaptation that cannot help but draw attention to its source material. Unlike Uncharted or The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Gran Turismo feels more like a promotional advertisement for the game it is based on rather than a compelling narrative.
This is not to say that there isn't a fascinating story to be told, and it happens to be based on real-life events. Gran Turismo dramatizes the racing career of Jann Mardenborough, a gamer who displayed such exceptional skill in the games that he was given the opportunity to race in reality. Unfortunately, the nature of this tale means that Gran Turismo dedicates a significant amount of time to convincing viewers of the excellence of the racing sim series. As a result, the film neglects crucial aspects that a movie should include, such as well-developed characters and a coherent narrative.
As if signaling the true essence of this film, Gran Turismo commences with a montage elucidating the esteemed game series and its remarkable features. While it is undeniable that the Gran Turismo series has garnered numerous accolades for its immersive gameplay and authenticity, commencing a feature film with what can be likened to an advertisement may not be the most optimal choice. Making a somewhat lateral shift, Gran Turismo then delves into the life of Jann Mardenborough (portrayed by Archie Madekwe from Midsommar) and his familial environment, which is teeming with clichés. Jann's father (played by Djimon Hounsou, whose talent is unfortunately largely underutilized in this somewhat one-dimensional role) believes he should partake in soccer instead of squandering his time on video games. Jann's brother, the athletic one, serves as a prototype for him to emulate!
Jann exhibits exceptional talent for racing in simulated form, earning him a coveted spot at GT Academy. This program, created by Danny Moore (portrayed by Orlando Bloom), prioritizes Nissan's marketing objectives rather than the development of skilled racers, a peculiar choice considering the film's two sequences dedicated to showcasing the excellence of Gran Turismo games as racing simulators. Moreover, the movie also contains various advertisements and product placements that permeate the storyline.
The remaining characters in Gran Turismo offer little to discuss. Nicholas Capa, played by Josha Stradowski, is portrayed as a wealth-driven, aggressive, and arrogant antagonist without receiving much attention to create a captivating villain. Similarly, Jann's love interest, Audrey (Maeve Courtier-Lilley), lacks depth as the screenplay neglects efforts to develop stronger female characters, a concerning omission in the year 2023. Audrey's purpose in the story is further diminished by the implication that she already holds a romantic interest in Jann, thereby requiring minimal effort on his part to win her over.
The character work in this content fragment lacks depth, with one notable exception. David Harbour, known for his role in Stranger Things, shines as former racer Jack Salter. While Salter finds the idea of training sim drivers absurd, he is assigned the task of preparing Jann for the real world. Harbour's skill in portraying grizzled and reluctant mentor figures adds a unique dimension to Salter's character. In contrast to potential one-dimensionality, Harbour infuses Salter's scenes with nostalgia and delivers genuine emotion to dialogue that could have easily felt mechanical.
Gran Turismo certainly has an undeniable allure, and this isn't solely attributed to the impeccably polished vehicles that frequently take center stage. Neill Blomkamp, the director recognized for his breakthrough film District 9 and ventures into the cyberpunk genre with Elysium, compensates for some of the more functional dialogue scenes by delivering visually stunning racing sequences. The camera gracefully soars along the tracks, skillfully following the racers and effectively conveying their exhilarating speed. Intriguing inserts grant glimpses into the inner mechanics of the cars, seemingly defying the laws of physics as they accomplish astonishing driving feats. Blomkamp even manages to inject some stylistic elements reminiscent of the game, such as the inclusion of indicators revealing Jann's position in each race (although these artistic choices don't always resonate, as exemplified by a particular scene where Jann outpaces a police car).
Despite the authenticity of Jann's story, the presence of clichés commonly found in sports movies is undeniable. Jann, portrayed as the underdog, faces doubt from others, yet his innate knowledge of cars allows him to thrive, despite lacking real-life experience. His journey includes both victories and defeats as he climbs the ranks to showcase his abilities. Moments of adversity occur along the way, including a tragic incident that adds realism to the narrative. The support for Jann, including his mother, Geri Horner (formerly a member of the Spice Girls), who makes a special appearance, adds an extra layer of excitement for racing enthusiasts, as Geri is married to Christian Horner from the Red Bull Racing Formula One team. While sports movies often rely on familiar tropes, their success lies in their ability to expand beyond these formulaic elements. Unfortunately, Gran Turismo often falls short in this aspect.
Gran Turismo is not the worst video game adaptation ever made, but it fails to capture the essence of such adaptations. Unlike films like The Last of Us or Sonic the Hedgehog, which have pre-existing stories to draw from, Gran Turismo attempts to advertise its products through the lens of an inspirational sports movie, using a partly embellished true story (Jann was not the first sim driver to come out of GT Academy, nor was he the only successful one). While dedicated driving fans may find some enjoyment in this film, those seeking a captivating and unforgettable cinematic experience will likely be left disappointed.
Gran Turismo opens in theaters on August 25th.
