GRAN TURISMO – A Review by John Strange
Kazunori Yamauchi was the man behind the creation of the Gran Turismo driving simulator series. Gamers the world over have taken to the experience with a vengeance. Then Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom), a marketing executive with Nissan, came up with the idea that the best of these gamers could transition from the game systems to the real world of racing.
With the motorsport division of Nissan’s blessing, the man created the GT Academy to give the best 25 gamers the chance of a lifetime. To accomplish this dream, Moore hired former driver-turned-mechanic Jack Salter (David Harbour) to train these young adults to make the leap from the gaming chair to the driver’s seat.
Salter does not believe this dream of Moore’s has a snowball’s chance to succeed but he takes on the challenge. Harbour’s portrayal of the former driver-now-teacher is excellent.
Archie Madekwe as Jann Mardenborough gives us an entertaining view into the young man’s background and his journey to the winner’s circle at the academy and on to his racing career. Djimon Hounsou and Geri Halliwell Horner as Jann’s parents Steve and Lesley Mardenborough fit into the story perfectly.
The movie is entertaining and suspenseful, full of racing action and heart. The chemistry between Madekwe and Harbour is excellent. Bloom as the marketing exec does a great job of channeling the extreme need to succeed at all costs to further his career very well.
This film will do well at the box office. It has great action and a lot of heart, perfect for whiling away the hot summer days at your local movie theater! I will be buying this one for my collection!
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Cast: David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe, Darren Barnet, Geri Halliwell Horner, Djimon Hounsou
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for intense action and some strong language)
Selig Rating: 5 Stars
Runtime: 135 Min.
Release Date: 08/11/2023
Local Release Locations: Strike + Reel Luxury Dine-In and XD (Garland), AMC Firewheel 18 (Garland), B&B Theatres Wylie 12 with Marquee Suites & GS, Studio Movie Grill Spring Valley (Dallas), Regal UA Galaxy Theatre & ScreenX – Dallas, Cinemark Legacy and XD (Plano), Cinemark Central Plano, Studio Movie Grill – Dallas, Alamo Drafthouse Lake Highlands (Dallas), Studio Movie Grill Plano, AMC NorthPark 15 (Dallas), AMC Village on the Parkway 9 (Dallas), Cinemark West Plano and XD, Moviehouse Eatery McKinney, AMC DINE-IN Mesquite 30, Cinemark Allen 16 and XD, Cinemark Dallas XD and IMAX, AMC DINE-IN Stonebriar 24 (Frisco), Cinemark Rockwall 14 and XD
Language: English
Official Site: GRAN TURISMO Official Site
Trailer: GRAN TURISMO Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
