Gran Turismo (2023)

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Starring: David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe

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.

Jann Mardenborough became interested in racing when he was just 5 years old, but his parents didn’t have money for him to eventually turn it into a career. He started playing racing games and his passion for the sport grew.

Danny Moore is working for Nissan Marketing. He decides to take the best SIM racers in the world and put them in real cars to compete. Achieving the fastest lap race time on his Gran Turismo Playstation game, Jann is selected for the trials. Jann finally makes it into the Top 20, and is inching his way forward to fulfilling his dream.

The film depicts the training Jann and four other drivers goes through, coached by former driver Jack Salter (David Harbour). The film is based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough. Doing further research on Jann, I learnt he was co-producer, stunt driver and consultant on the movie, so I think we can safely assume the events in the movie are pretty accurate.

Director Neill Blomkamp returns to form with ‘Gran Turismo’. The visual effects are fantastic and the editing is just as fast as the racing cars, resulting in a fast-paced movie that never disappoints. I enjoyed the characters and thought the actors did a great job bringing them to life. I especially enjoyed David Harbour as Jack Salter. The characters felt realistic and not clichéd. The film also has a great score and excellent cinematography.

If its racing movies you like, you will love ‘Gran Turismo’. If you’re a fan of the game, you will love ‘Gran Turismo’. If you enjoy action movies that doesn’t rely on blazing guns and superhero action, chances are you will love ‘Gran Turismo’. I found it thrilling and exciting and there truly never was a dull moment. I believe the underlying message here is never to give up on your dreams… This is a wonderful, feel-good movie!

‘Gran Turismo’ earned $117.3 million on a budget of $60 million.

Would I watch it again? Yes.