Review of Gran Turismo (2023) by Jluis_001 — 25 Aug 2023

Gran Turismo can proudly boast of offering a healthy dose of modest and unambitious entertainment. However, when considering the overall concept, the film exudes a sense of detachment, coldness and a vexing absence of emotional depth.

While the on-screen storyline draws from reality, I find that the protagonist's career trajectory seems to align more with the mechanics of a video game rather than capturing the true nuances of real life. This creates a barrier that affects the ultimate achievement of his success. It's not that the protagonist didn't work hard to achieve his position, but rather that his struggle and training lacks the palpable sense of true dedication and sacrifice.

Once again, Neill Blomkamp proves that he is a director with vision, and despite the film being under the tight reins of the studio system, it displays a fine level of craftsmanship. However, the script is clearly where the film falters and is what has been his biggest weakness since District 9. Although it should be noted that this film does distance itself significantly from the mediocre "Demonic" of 2021. Undoubtedly the worst film of his career and by far.

If you're looking for some lighthearted fun without the burden of deeper contemplation, you're unlikely to be disappointed with Gran Turismo. Nevertheless, if you try to dig deeper, the more you explore, the more obvious its shortcomings will become.