In Gran Turismo, we are introduced to Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe), portrayed as one of the most skilled Gran Turismo players. His extensive knowledge of tracks and cars stems from thousands of hours spent in the game. His ambition is to transition into professional racing. Danny Moore (Orlando Bloom) proposes to Nissan‘s board of directors that he can assemble a team of accomplished video game players capable of transitioning from simulation to real-world racing. He argues that the substantial Gran Turismo player base, if leveraged through advertising for Nissan, could generate significant revenue. The board approves, tasking Moore with finding a suitable individual to train these gamers. He reluctantly contacts Jack Salter (David Harbour).
Upon viewing the trailer for Gran Turismo, the premise initially seemed implausible. The claim that it is “based on a true story” led to skepticism. The assumption was that it was a loose adaptation similar to Fargo. However, the film depicts an actual series of events that occurred multiple times. From 2008 to 2016, Nissan, in partnership with Playstation, conducted competitions offering the winner a chance to become a professional racing driver. Prior to this, I was unaware of this initiative, admittedly never having played Gran Turismo myself.
The latest installment in the game series, Gran Turismo 7, was released last year, following the original game’s debut in 1997. Given the series’ large and devoted fanbase, a film adaptation wasn’t entirely unexpected. However, the film takes considerable liberties with reality. For example, neither Jack Salter nor Danny Moore are real individuals; they are fictionalized for the narrative. Jann Mardenborough is a real person, but he wasn’t the first competition winner as portrayed in the film. He was, in fact, the third. Furthermore, significant events are reordered and altered, details of which would constitute spoilers.
Director Neill Blomkamp‘s career began with a short film on Youtube that garnered attention, leading to the opportunity to create a feature film. This resulted in the critically acclaimed sci-fi film District 9. Subsequent projects, such as Chappie, haven’t quite reached the same level of success. It was surprising that Blomkamp only directed this film, instead of also writing it, as he has previously done.
Blomkamp’s strength lies in visual presentation, which is evident in Gran Turismo. The film features stylish transitions between the game and reality, and the racing sequences are well-executed. However, the film’s dramaturgy feels underdeveloped.
For example, while the film dedicates substantial time to racing scenes, it neglects character development, specifically failing to establish a connection with Jann Mardenborough. We are not given sufficient insight into his gaming prowess to understand his success, nor do we fully experience his initial transition to a real racing car. The film touches upon his experience with the sound, vibrations, and power, but these crucial elements, which represent the heart of the narrative – the contrast between simulation and reality – are glossed over.
Djimon Hounsou and Geri Horner (Ginger Spice!) portray his parents. The film misses opportunities to create emotional depth in these relationships, favoring racing sequences instead. Hounsou delivers the film’s few genuine moments of warmth and humanity.
The UHD-edition is superior, particularly in its visual presentation. It features Native 4K resolution at 2160p with HDR-10. The crash sequences are particularly impressive, with every spark and detail meticulously rendered. The digital transitions are also visually striking, creating an almost three-dimensional effect. The Dolby Atmos sound is equally impressive, enhancing the racing scenes. The surround sound is immersive, and the car engines utilize the subwoofer effectively. The inclusion of extras is a positive aspect. However, the lack of a commentary track is a minor disappointment.
In conclusion, the well-executed racing scenes and the enhanced visual quality of the UHD-edition contribute to making Gran Turismo an entertaining viewing experience. However, the film’s other aspects are less impressive. It would be interesting to see how another director might have approached the same script, as the potential for a truly great film is present but unrealized.
SF Studios provided review copies for this evaluation. The senders of materials do not exert editorial influence on our reviews. Our assessments are conducted independently, prioritizing the interests of our readers and consumers.
