GRAN TURISMO EARLY REVIEW! | Film Threat Reviews

Chris Gore and Alan Ng review “Movie,” coming to theaters August 25.
Join us on the Film Threat Livecast every Friday at 9AM PST for film reviews, interviews and a chance to join the conversation about movies and all things pop culture!
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Produced by Chris Gore, Alan Ng, Glenn Brown, Ms Piccoffee and Ryan O'Donnell
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[@roberthsu4862]

As someone who grew up playing Gran Turismo on the PS1, I am now really looking forward to watching this film after watching your review. I hope the film is as good as you say it is.

[@TheFatGandalf]

Chris, I can absolutely tell you how physically taxing driving a race car is. My wife gave me a race car experience at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. It’s a NASCAR track and I was given 5 min of track time. It was in July and scorching hot out. We got into a racing suit and learned about safety. Then my turn came to get into the car. It was probably the most uncomfortable car I’ve ever been in. I barely fit into the seat and the controls were in always places. Oh, and it was a stick, which I can drive but it was by no means a production car in its smoothness. Needless to say I was sweating bullets with a helmet on and no A/C on top of the heat. Once I got going I realized the forces exerted on your body from going so fast. Each corner I could feel the G Force pushing on my body. Ultimately, I maxed at 154 MPH but missed an opportunity to go faster because I misunderstood an instruction from the pit. The pro drivers on the track at the same time made me feel like I was in an economy car and they were in Ferraris. Also, time moved incredibly fast because the 5 min felt over and done in two. I gained an incredible respect for NASCAR drivers who circle tracks at close to 200 MPH and are within inches of each other while enduring the heat and lack of comforts I experienced. If anyone out there has a Vance to drive in a similar setting my advice is - DO IT!

[@nathansolo2605]

I was a guest of an F1 team at a Grand Prix. I’d though I’d love to be an an F1 driver but when I saw how fast those cars were down the main straight, I thought no way. There was a show in my country where the best athletes in their chosen sports competed in a series of events across the sports they played and other events. The winning athlete was a racing driver.

[@antwango]

Ask anyone!!! Who straps on a PSVR headset!!!! And plays GT and they will tell you how stressful and sweaty it is after JUST 30MINS Heck watch GT racers who play flatscreen competitlvely and its like the real thing!!! edge of your seat BS!!!! And thats just for me a spectator!!!!! Anybody who wants to taste what a sim racer goes through have a watch of Rory Alexanders youtube channel and hes not the only one!!!

[@DarthSidious]

I'm glad Neill Blomkamp had a win. I really wish he'd have gotten the alien movie he deserved. Elysium, District 9 - some of the best sci fi of the 21st century. Oats studios needs funding!

[@saatvikmaddineni7496]

It’s sad that we never got to see his alien and robocop films

[@DarthSidious]

@@saatvikmaddineni7496 I'm still holding out hope that the district 9 sequel happens. Imagine the mothership coming back, healing the hybrid and serving up some vengeance for the second class treatment.

[@LanceCorporal_Waffles]

The fact that Chris loved this gives me hope!

[@ryanb9749]

I've been hyped for this for a month. And I've been saying that this movie is going to be bad for 10 years. 🤣

[@LanceCorporal_Waffles]

@@accidentcellar6307 Whether he’s over hyping it or not, that’s how he felt about the movie. Am I expecting to love it as much as he did? No. I’m open to be pleasantly surprised, though. I thought he was over hyping RRR. I finally sat down to watch it and by golly, I ended up LOVING that movie. So far Chris Gore and The Critical Drinker haven’t led me wrong with movie recommendations. Drinker recommended Pale Rider and Kelly’s Heroes. I ended up loving those movies, as well. Granted, they can’t all be winners but hey, at least they’re more honest about how they feel about a movie instead of reading from a corporate flash card, praising a movie.

[@AverageJoe483]

If it’s anything like Ford v Ferrari , I’m in !

[@moneymikz]

We should write a screenplay about the Mazda 727B, it’s the car that shocked the world by winning the 1991 Le Mans and it’s considered one of Japan’s proudest moments, plus the story of their rag tag crew is amazing. It’s like the Mighty Ducks meets Ford versus Ferrari, and the 25th anniversary is coming up so we need to capitalize on it. Plus Alan will appreciate that it’s a chance to portray Asians in a proud and accurate way on screen

[@brobocops]

The. 787B?

[@ryanb9749]

Ehh I think the 1995 McLaren F1 GTR win is more worthy of a screenplay.

[@deomartinez77]

I played Grand Turismo every day for years. I remember when the events in that story happened and how cool I thought it was that this game's mechanics are so quality that if you put it into a simulator pod you can train to drive the real vehicles. When I heard this movie was coming I was sold. Especially since it was in the hands of someone that actually knows how to make a good movie that is super unique.

[@kabukikommandofourthworld5266]

Was always going to watch this on account of Orlando Bloom, David Harbour, Neil Blomkamp, AND the PS1 video game premise in general, but now I'm totally sold on it. Thanks, Film Threat! 👺✨🗡👺

[@grapefruitinstrument1394]

I just saw it. And I absolutely loved it. Not in IMAX sadly because there are none near me. But the pacing was excellent. It doesn't overstay it's welcome. Surprise of the year so far for me.

[@WeeShenanigans]

I saw it a second time, I don't see how they don't get at least one technical Oscar...

[@jorgekde]

Thank you, Alan. I will definitely go see it at the cinema.

[@lknpk15]

Haven't watched a Neil Blomkamp movie since Chappie and am glad that he's returning to form with Gran Turismo. Will definitely give it a watch when it comes out

[@allwal12]

Breaking away, one of my all time faves

[@raymondsmith6870]

Breaking Away was quite well received by critics and audiences in 1979 when it came out and was nominated for 5 Academy Awards(when they actually meant something) and got one Oscar for writing. A lot of people forget there was a Breaking Away tv show with some of the movie cast in the series but with Shaun Cassidy in the lead role. Only lasted for 8 episodes.

[@cornsugardrop]

After seeing this trailer a thousand times in theaters, and never of my own volition, I was surprised how much I liked it

[@regis_red]

Compared to Days of Thunder?

[@fakhridito5532]

Bro days of thunder is basically top gun with nascar different kind of racing movie 💀

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

@@fakhridito5532 And this is basically Days of Thunder with sportscars. A guy who people think 'doesn't belong' who is fast and then is involved in a serious accident which he has to overcome to get back to racing again. That's the rough outline of Gran Turismo and Days of Thunder (and to an extent grand Pric, le Mans and the Hero's journey in general).

[@CynsCorner]

I saw it a couple weeks ago at an advance screening. I thought it was pretty good!

[@Amocoru]

No other review I've watched touched on the true story part which made it far more relatable as a gamer. Looking forward to seeing this one now.

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

Apparently it is a VERY true story, including a certain part of Jann's career which could have been a big setback and how he managed his way through it - which I think is why Chris rated it so highly. No spoilers, but if you know, you know. I'm glad they didn't skip that.

[@FilmThreat]

One of the GT Academy participants will joining us in two Fridays on the live stream.

[@fozz5722]

Can believe Chris liked it but can't believe the race scenes are better than Ford vs Ferrari, 24hr La Mans, or Rush. We'll see....

[@raymondsmith6870]

You left out Grand Prix(1966) with James Garner which has very good racing effects and footage for the time it was shot by John Frankenheimer.

[@fozz5722]

@@raymondsmith6870 So True forgot that one great flick.

[@fozz5722]

@@accidentcellar6307 The reason I find those older films superior is practical effects. You show me one piece of bad CGI and I'm out. CGI has been awful as of late and I don't expect this to be better.

[@DarkPsyence]

This is out tomorrow here in Ireland.

[@jacobdenton6065]

Even days of thunder

[@hansjuker8296]

The best part of the OG GT game was starting out and having to buy a used POS car.

[@sonnyd.6777]

Spoiler: End credits Dom and Letty appear and tell them... " ...its all about family!" 😅😅jk

[@andrewglazebrook1585]

There was a remake of Bad News Bears in 2005 directed by Richard Linklater

[@davidwells8835]

I LOVE Breaking Away! Loved Dave's parents as well!

[@Sahil-pc2kr]

Ok I’m definitely checking this out. Grew up playing GT.

[@Bergacci88]

It’s doing bad on rotten tomatoes. I’m still looking forward to it.

[@simmiewilliams5970]

The trailer was perfect, gave you just enough about the storyline.

[@ronvanr5359]

Breaking away, I forgot about that film, now I have to go back and watch it again. Didn't this movie turn into a TV show for a season or two?

[@fozz5722]

yep, not too bad either but can't compare to the film.

[@fozz5722]

You gotta see American Flyers, with Kevin Costner, Rae Dawn Chong, and David Marshall Grant. Really the only other bike race film as good as Breaking Away. Wow a bi racial couple in1985?

[@raymondsmith6870]

Only lasted 8 episodes before being cancelled. Shaun Cassidy was the lead actor in the series just didn't have luck finding a winning show in his career.

[@ronvanr5359]

@@raymondsmith6870 Hardy boys (sp?)

[@KillerKlipsch]

We need a District 9 part 2 so damn bad!!!!

[@drgordo112]

Sounds like one I should take the parents to. Thanks guys!

[@LouisWritingSomethingCrazy]

What drives me nuts is to see this movie, I'm basically going to have to drive 4 hours one direction somewhere or wait till it gets out on streaming. Sure, if I want to see Barbie, that's practically on 2 screens per theater, but movies like this? Nope!

[@nathansolo2605]

Wow another movie, males can enjoy. Hope the movie makes a motza.

[@ViperChief117]

I’ve been a fan of the video games since the PS2 era. I might actually go and see this since I hear this film is pretty good? Lol

[@The_Knight_Mayor]

Easily the best SPORTS movie of 2023

[@titusvarughese5071]

Played every GT game in the series and I love cars. I'm surprised Chris you like this movie. I might reconsider and see this movie. It's too bad GT7 on ps5 is utter garbage.

[@xain86k70]

I tend to duck out of your reviews early because you guys always end up spoiling so much about the story😐I wish you guys did more spoiler-free reviews

[@TNM001]

"based on a true story". ok but how based? 90% of race drivers play videogames to learn the tracks, and gaming in general is not a strange or niche thing anymore to do for kids...

[@bigal3055]

I haven't seen the film, but from what I gather, it's about Jan Mardenborough. He was a British gamer who took part in some competition that Sony and Nissan were running about a decade ago to find the best players on Gran Turismo and train them through a racing academy to be actual racing drivers. The thing is, Jan and the other competitors who went through the academy were all shit! They've had a few scattered results here and there over tye years, but none of them have had what you'd call big wins, or a shining racing career. With actual racing drivers, both past and present, who have far more skill and far more interesting stories concerning their rise through the ranks, the only reason I can think of for making this film is as a massive commercial for Sony, Nissan, Gran Turismo, or even all three.

[@TNM001]

@@bigal3055 yea, that makes sense...its just a big commercial. well...if the story telling holds up, fine, but they should lose the "real story" BS, there is really nothing special about drivers gaming or having gamed.

[@drakomus7409]

know the maps and the speeds you need to do for the corners and you just did 90% of driving the course right there

[@davidweilbaecherjr9417]

the trailer completely turned me off. BUT if gore is comparing this this to breaking away (an all time favorite--got me bicycling for decades with the theme music in my head when i sprinted), then i might give it a shot. the trialer made it look yet another video game movie--not a real story. i looked up the driver--wow... this should be cool.

[@bc7013]

Love to hear the opinion of an actual race fan because that trailer was so awful I can't believe it could be good.

[@bigal3055]

Race fan here. Jan Mardenborough (and the rest of the academy drivers) was pretty shit. There are far, far more interesting and skilled drivers with much more exciting careers to their names than any of the Sony academy drivers ever had. Other than serving as a big commercial for PlayStations and Nissans, I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would want to make a feature film about an ex gamer who became an 'also ran' driver.

[@bc7013]

@@bigal3055 I honestly think a story can be told of that but everyone can decide for themselves on that one. What I was looking for was a race fan who could speak on the authenticity of the movie in terms of the business, atmosphere, and racing itself. Like I hate in stock car movies when they always find that magical missing gear to shift to to make that last lap pass or use indycar sound effects. I hate that crap but others don't even notice.

[@bigal3055]

@bc7013 Well, I've just watched the trailer and from that alone, I'm calling bollocks on it straight away. They've dressed him up as some exceptionally gifted racing driver, which he most certainly wasn't. The very few race scenes in the trailer look like they've been filmed for style over reality, which never bodes well. Purely speculation too, but I get the feeling that there was so little live track racing shown in the trailer because there wasn't very much actual on track action filmed. As a racing driver, he's so far down the pecking order of drivers these days that most race fans have forgotten all about him and the last I heard, he wasn't even racing on track anymore and was instead working as a simulator test driver for one of the Formula E teams. Maybe he has a seat in a support series somewhere too, but team simulator test driver is absolutely nothing to shout about for any racing driver and tells you something about his level of talent on track. I guess you could say that his career has gone full circle now, with him driving in front of a screen again. To be honest, the only thing that sticks in my mind about him was when he binned it coming down the Flugplatz of the Nordschleife a few years ago. The car got airborne and ended up killing a spectator. Tragic for all involved by any measure, but it tells you something about his career when that is the main thing people remember about him as a driver. I'd be all over any film about motorsport usually, but my interest in this one is pretty minimal. As a driver, he was never anything special and, from the trailer at least, the on track action looks pretty shit. Racing drivers don't scream words of encouragement to themselves in the cockpit, like an angst riddled teenager, that's for damned sure! Maybe it'll end up being a film for the gamers, but as a race fan, on the face of it, it looks pretty bad as racing films go.

[@bc7013]

@@bigal3055 I am also a huge race fan, just not of that form or motorsport but you don't need to have much knowledge to look at that trailer and go that looks someone put their interpretation of a racing video game and cgi'd it onto the big screen. This is something that is a deal breaker for me even if the story is entertaining but I am guessing Gore doesn't share the love of motorsport that I have and is why he could love it. The actual racing part in a movie like this has to be authentic for me and based on the trailer it looks like it was created by someone who played racing video games and knows nothing about actual racing. If a race fan saw it and was said the trailer was misleading and they get like 90% right than I may be persuaded. Also, since I don't follow this form of racing and know nothing, the fact that this guy is a nobody in the sport doesn't bother me because I don't know the stories that may be more worthy. Had I witnessed it all in real-time I am certain I would feel differently.

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

@@bc7013 I think you probably would feel different if you'd seen and known the whole GT Academy plus Mardenborough's career. I'm very familiar with the GT Academy history and Jann was probably the 3rd best graduate they had. He did well enough to be signed full-time by Nissan to race in Super GT in a works car for 4 years in Japan, winning multiple races... That's not terrible! It was strange when he got demoted and then dropped by Nissan Japan, but the Nissan can be a bit strange like that (they also fired their most successful driver of the entire decade the previous year!) If it's on the same level as garbage track 'action' like Ford vs Ferrari it will be awful for any racing fan (racing cars are LOUD....James Mangold...) but if it can get to the level of Rush or even Days of Thunder (despite the gearchanges, at least they were in actual cars and on actual tracks) it will be an improvement. My biggest question is how 'favourable' they will make the complete bullshit artist Darren Cox ('Danny Moore') versus real-life... When I've seen it, I might come back and let you know!

[@thaynealexander]

Well damn, okay. I'm going to go see it now.

[@AlleyKatPr0]

It's a more interesting story than a movie

[@zillauniverse7208]

Shame this movie will most likely suffer the same fate as D&D Honor Among Thieves, great movie that suffer from terrible marketing and competition

[@jasonligon5937]

I think the same people who made the Need for Speed movie, made this trailer. Because it had the same terrible video game slash movie vibes. Glad it's good.

[@rickwj324]

I didn't even know this was a thing. If Chris loves it I will definitely check it out!

[@jpasan]

Thanks for the review. I'll give it a chance then

[@nihilance]

Breaking Away was a parallel I felt too during the beginning on the film, where the father just doesn't get the son but grows to appreciate and understand his son by the end. I don't even like racing films and really enjoyed this movie. Hoping it does well to give Blomkamp some needed cache in the studio system again

[@joelmacha2104]

I saw it as a Monday mystery movie. It was okay. It felt like a regular by the numbers sports movie, but every once in a while they talk about video games. You could easily present this as an SNL skit with the right editing. It was weird when a random older pit guy called the main character a noob, like he would care at all? They never really explained why the drivers hate the kid. It's funny knowing that Nascar would use simulators for their races during Covid, but they hate this guy? Any why wouldn't you improve your skill in a simulation if you wanted to improve a tricky maneuver? The whole time I was thinking about how pilots and astronauts train in simulations, so what's the big deal? It felt very artificial.

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

This was waaaay before covid! The first GT Academy competition was in 2009/2010 (and it wasn't 'this guy' there were three others before him) and that's why it was a big deal to take someone who had only 'raced' on a PS2, using Gran Turismo 4 and make them into a real-world racing driver. That was Lucas Ordonez, and people were highly skeptical that the concept would work. Then followed Jordan Tresson, Brian..something, from the US (as they made the graduates regional) and 'this guy' Jann Mardenborough from the UK, through 2011 and 2012. There was very little to no drama by the time Jann made it through in 2012; they have combined the first (Lucas Ordonez) graduate's doubt and criticism - which was VERY real, in 2010! with Jann's story for dramatic effect as Jann's 'background' and later career possibly make a better movie script.

[@fozz5722]

Don't mind the genius teen trope but it's so played out lately I might check out on this one. How about a lead with hair on his nuts every once in a while. Not a deconstructed hero from the past either. That is also played to death, usually with a super teen making fun of them.

[@Oakjet1998]

Going to see Gran Turismo a week early!?!?!? I have never seen a movie a week early before but this will be my first!!!!! JUST GOT MY TICKETS TODAY FOR GRAN TURISMO IM VERY INTRIGUED ABOUT THIS MOVIE!!!! IM GOING TO SEE IT THIS SUNDAY WITH MH DAD!!!!! Never played Gran Turismo but I’m definitely interested!!!!! Hopefully I will like it!!!! :) THEN AFTER THAT ON MONDAY IM GOING TO SEE A CLASSIC DISNEY MOVIE IN THEATERS BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!!!!!!!!! WHICH IM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO!!!! It’s part of Disney 100 re release they are doing!!!! I was born in 98 and the movie came out in 91 so I unfortunately didn’t get to experience it in theaters but that’s about to change!!!!!

[@Cheng-jq6fc]

as absurd it sounds..I still can't believe it's irl story...😮😮😮😮 from GAMER2RACER😊😊😊 i enjoy the film 8/10

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

The Gamer to Racer (later GT Academy) competition was actually based on Gran Turismo 4 on the PS2! It's a shame really that the film is about Jann Mardenborough, who was something like the 4th graduate, so the pathway was well-established by the time he came along. Nobody taking him seriously is nonsense - by the time Jann came up everybody knew what the GT Acedemy guys could do - the first graduate was Lucas Ordonez, who WAS very much doubted and concerns were raised about him getting his racing licences. It's sad that it's almost certain they changed it and skipped Lucas (and Jordan Tresson) because he's a white Spanish guy... and Jann was a poor mixed-race British guy. Jann was actually fired by Nissan (for no good reason!) a few years back after having raced in Japan (as did Ordonez) for a number of years, very successfully and hasn't raced since. Ordonez also won raced and championships; and significantly was one of the drivers of the Nissan Deltawing at Le Mans, as well as racing the GT3 Nissan GTR. Jordan Tresson quit the project after a couple of years having also raced at Le Mans in LMP2.

[@heil5373N]

As someone who played the 24-Hour race in GT4 (A-spec = whole day, B-spec = meals/night/sleeping), the gaming gods commands me to watch this movie atleast twice!

[@johnthomas2485]

Breaking Away is based on a true story and the record for must laps ridden in the Little 500 still stands. You forgot about his disillusionment interaction with the Italian team. Dennis Quaid wasn't the lead.

[@clintwarner3008]

Yep...racing scenes were awesome n that's what you want in a racing movie. Loved Breaking Away, tape n wrap my foot to the pedal of the bike insane.

[@jamesbond5174]

Sounds good, no imax here in Derry though, 😢 , my favourite sports movie is Slapshot

[@NeinBreaker]

I hope Yello's Oh Yeah plays when there's a crash or a fail montage.

[@foxhound_YT]

Looking forward to seeing this next week!

[@mitchell5566]

The trailer is awful. They should recut it

[@HeyMaruniko]

does the movie tributes Andy Gehrmann (the dead spectator from 2015 Nürburgring crash) anywhere?

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

*Spoilers* Apparently yes, that's the focus of the last half of the movie, basically.

[@cloudparter]

Another outstanding driving/racing movie which is pretty underrated with it's driving scenes is a German movie from 1991 with a young Til Schweiger starring is called Manta, Manta which is about souped up Opel Manta's. Amazing cars and chases/races.

[@OsellaSquadraCorse]

And for context the Manta is culturally the German equivalent of the Ford Escort in the UK or the used Corvette (as was) or Camaro in the USA. There's a stereotypical 'certain type' of person who's supposed to buy one. The stereotype is that they are bought & driven by the German equivalent of 'trailer trash' and/or boy racers, usually not well looked after, rusty, a bit dog-eared but treated as a pussay magnet by the owner (who will usually wear a tracksuit, and have a chest medallion...) but the owner WILL spend thousands on speed parts, which get lost under all the hot-dog wrappers on the floor...

[@A.T501st]

Someone should make a movie about a kid being a pro call of duty player, and then he enlists to be in the Army

[@gregmize01]

Breaking Away is a classic bike racing movie! Got me into cycling as a kid. They still have that race every year in the town it was filmed in.

[@idawg7332]

After elysium, chappie and demonic I’ll never understand why people think blomkamp’s alien movie would have been good. Really hoping gran turismo works because right now he’s the new m night shyamalan