In Neill Blomkamp's sports drama "Gran Turismo," the film teases its audience by nearly touching the realms of cinematic brilliance. However, it pulls away, settling for crowd-pleasing thrills over narrative depth and complexity. The emotional investment it garners, especially during the film's climax featuring Archie Madekwe's character, Jann Mardenborough, is undeniable. As Mardenborough crosses the real-world finish line, you find yourself emotionally tethered. This occurs even if the film misses several opportunities to dig deeper.
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Unlike typical game adaptations, "Gran Turismo" brings a twist by focusing on a game that is a hyper-realistic racing simulator. The film takes pains to show that these aren't just games. They're training grounds for actual racing, a notion capitalized upon by Orlando Bloom's character, Danny Moore. As a marketing guru, Moore pitches a daring venture. It is a competition that would turn the simulator's top players into real-world Nissan racing drivers. To this end, he brings in a seasoned coach, Jack Salter, portrayed by David Harbour, to train these fledgling racers. Interestingly, Moore's motivation remains ambiguous, making his character intriguing but ultimately unsatisfying.
Jann Mardenborough's objectives are more easily discernible. He dreams of being more than just a virtual driver; he wants to work on actual cars. This aspiration brings him into conflict with his father, Steve, compellingly played by Djimon Hounsou. Steve, a once-promising professional footballer now stuck in low-paying jobs, fears his son is chasing an impractical dream. Unfortunately, the film doesn't give other family members the same nuanced treatment. His mother (Geri Halliwell) and younger brother (Daniel Puig) serve only as narrative placeholders, as does his love interest, Audrey (Maeve Courtier-Lilley), who exists largely as a digital figment on Mardenborough's social media.
The GT Academy, where the action initially unfolds, is presented as more than just a training ground; it's a crucible where friendships and rivalries are formed. Yet, the secondary characters here are superficial at best, primarily functioning to pad out the runtime. Still, it's within the Academy's walls that Mardenborough forms a tenuous yet evolving relationship with coach Jack Salter. Jack initially doubts that these "keyboard warriors" could translate their virtual skills into real-world racing acumen.
"Gran Turismo" gets more gripping when Mardenborough transitions from the Academy to actual races. This encounters fierce opposition from traditional racers skeptical about his unconventional training. The tension is palpable, not just in the race sequences but also in its underlying themes that inadvertently echo the real-world challenges faced by unionized actors and writers against the advancing tide of artificial intelligence.
Despite relying on tried-and-true sports drama tropes, these elements add layers of engagement that prop up the movie even when the storytelling wavers. Where the film's editing and cinematography could have synergized with its gaming roots, they instead occasionally disrupt the pace and replicate information already given through dialogue.
Even with these misses and a lead performance by Madekwe that's understated to the point of being forgettable, "Gran Turismo" offers just enough high-octane moments to sustain viewer attention. It may not be the standout cinematic achievement it had the potential to be, but it crosses the finish line with just enough gas left in the tank to make the journey worthwhile for its audience.
