Lets make one thing perfectly clear. There are two Paul Andersons” Paul Thomas Anderson and Paul W.S. Anderson. One is a great director who created one of the best films of the year (There Will Be Blood) and what people are calling a cinematic masterpiece, and the other is a hack director who somehow found his place directing video game adaptations. The only reason he’s still in the business is because he attaches himself with film properties with built in fanbases. The studios dont care about quality, they care about quantity (tickets that is). And sadly, the types of films he makes will sell tickets by the title alone.
WS’s filmography includes Mortal Kombat, Soldier, the Resident Evil films, AVP, and now the upcoming reamke of the 1975 cult classic Death Race 2000. The remake which is titled Death Race, stars Jason Statham (shown above) in a “post-industrial wasteland of tomorrow, with the world’s most brutal sporting event as its backdrop.” Click on the image to enlarge.
The official plot synopsis continues:
A penitentiary full of felons has inspired the jailers to create a grisly pastime ripe for lucrative kickbacks. Now, adrenalized inmates, a global audience hungry for televised violence and a spectacular arena come together to form the Death Race.
Three-time speedway champion Jensen Ames (Statham) is an expert at survival in the harsh landscape that has become our country. Just as he thinks he has turned his life around, the ex-con is framed for a gruesome murder he didn’t commit. Forced to don the mask of the mythical driver Frankenstein-a crowd favorite who seems impossible to kill-Ames is given an easy choice by Terminal Island’s warden (Joan Allen): suit up or rot away in a cell.
His face hidden by a metallic mask, one convict will be put through an insane three-day challenge. Ames must survive a gauntlet of the most vicious criminals in the country’s toughest prison to claim the prize of freedom. Driving a monster car outfitted with machine guns, flamethrowers and grenade launchers, one desperate man will destroy anything in his path to win the most twisted spectator sport on Earth.
Death Race hits theaters on September 26th, 2008.
December 28th, 2007 at 12:51 am
Well, W. S. Anderson is married to Milla Jovovich. There’s got to be something to the guy for him to end up with an awesome chick like her.
December 28th, 2007 at 1:07 am
LOL, Jovovich falls in love with her directors. She was formerly married to Luc Besson. And besides, hotness level usually doesn’t equate to intelligence level.
December 28th, 2007 at 1:10 am
Yeah, but even at 32, she’s still my favorite actress in terms of pure looks.
And, man, I wanna ‘direct’ her too :P
December 28th, 2007 at 2:02 am
This guy is often said to be interchangeable with Uwe Boll, but I think that’s a little harsh.
Honestly, I still remember when I saw Mortal Kombat in the theater and it was a guilty pleasure for me and pretty much anyone I know. It was cheesy, but there was some stoopidly cool imagery - I mean compared to Street Fighter it was a masterpiece, and outside of King of Kong and The Wizard, it was prob my fave video game flick ever. (oh, and after Joysticks, too). And it was PG-13, so c’mon. Better than Die Hard 4 et al on a modest budget.
Soldier was moderately entertaining as well. It was botched, but pretty original from what I remember. I’d rather watch either of those films (never caught the Resident Evil flicks - too much dumb teen action instead of suspenseful horror for my tastes) for eternity over Hatchet.
December 28th, 2007 at 2:13 am
And yes, he ruined “AVP” but I still blame that one more on the studios hiring him than on his skillset. They wanted something to connect with teens, and they wanted it made quickly.
On another note, anyone mad at the new AVP-R for “ruining these beloved franchises” needs to relax. To me, AVP-R is like getting Hillary in office after Bush - it’s not going to solve everything and we’ll see some disagreeable things, but c’mon. The change will ultimately be good and even satisfying, and most importantly get things back on track for the future (of the AVP franchise that is).
And so-called cinematic “royal rumbles” between modern day muzzled Wolf Mans and Draculas deserve some leeway for not having the same serious tone as their separate franchises. These films are dirty dreams, and a little camp is definitely excusable.
December 28th, 2007 at 6:20 am
So, it’s the “The Running Man” but with cars?
December 28th, 2007 at 8:23 am
Ya Paul WS Anderson sucks….but Event Horizon and the First Mortal Kombat were decent,entertaining films
December 28th, 2007 at 11:04 am
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :(
December 28th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Have you guys even seen the original Death Race? It’s a Roger Corman film. Anderson can’t make it any worse than the original film. Don’t get me wrong I love the original film, but come on it’s a remake of a Corman movie.
December 28th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Jason Statham has definitely made up for acting like such a wuss in Snatch. I’m not expecting great film making in Death Race, I’m expecting adrenaline, violence, and sex. I’m sure my man Statham wont disappoint.
December 28th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Oh no…They are remaking this film too?
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:09 pm
is that the flux capacitor in the backseat?
you know, that’s what makes time travel possible.