"Death Race 2000" (1975) was a trash film classic. "Death Race 2050" is an attempt to squeeze a few more dollars out of the concept...with generally predictable results. In some ways, this film is a bit like the original along with bits of "Idiocracy" and "Rollerball" tossed in as well. Like "Idiocracy", the public is unemployed and skill-less...sitting around the house watching television all day and breeding like rats. And, like "Rollerball", a tiny group of corporate plutocrats rule the world...and use the Death Race to keep the stupid masses content...as well as cut down on some of the overpopulation!

So is the film that different from the original? Not really. Sure, the CGI and cars look a bit nicer but none of this make the film better. In fact, because it is so similar, it is generally very predictable and takes few risks. Sure, there is a homo-erotic quality to Frankenstein's nemesis, Perfectus (instead of Machine Gun Joe) and a few of the other drivers are mildly interesting and the leader is actually hoping that Frankenstein LOSES...but none of it provides any reason to watch this instead of the original. I scored the original film a 2...it's bad but VERY entertaining and has cult film written all over it. This one is also a 3....but has none of the cult-like qualities and is only mildly entertaining when it makes commentary about the banality of mankind in the future.

This is a reboot of "Death Race 2000." The plot and scenes should look familiar and predictable. The film has been updated for the modern era as far as soundtrack and characters for satire. Malcolm McDowell plays the Chairman of the United Corporations of America who has hair similar to that of Donald Trump. Manu Bennett plays the role of Frankenstein except he removes his mask early because it itches. Burt Grinstead plays driver Jed Perfectus a genetic modified human who replaces Sly Stallone as the main antagonist. Folake Olowofoyeku is driver Minerva who is famous as a singer and for her sex tape. Anessa Ramsey plays Tammy, who has her own cult religion. Yancy Butler leads the resistance.

The film is critical of the media, corporations, and a bunch of other stuff. The script had a number of good lines, some satirical, some just fun like, "Jihad for Jimi Hendrix." If you loved the original, you should love the reboot.

Guide: F-word, nudity

2050. The mindless masses in the corporate-run future are kept under control by an annual brutal blood sport known as the death race. Reigning champion Frankenstein (a nicely sincere performance by Manu Bennett) faces opposition in the form of both rival drivers and his rebel spy copilot Anne Sullivan (a lively portrayal by foxy blonde Marci Miller).

Director/co-writer G.J. Echternkamp keeps the enjoyably goofy story zipping along at a brisk pace, pokes hysterically broad fun at such worthy targets as brain-dead reality TV entertainment, the omnipotence of major corporations, and the extreme left and right of the political spectrum, maintains a blithely zany tongue-in-cheek tone throughout, makes a few neat tweaks to the '75 drive-in exploitation classic original, stages the wild action with rip-roaring gusto, delivers oodles of gloriously excessive gore, and tosses in a few hot topless babes for trashy good measure.

Moreover, it's acted with zest by an enthusiastic cast: Malcolm McDowell as flamboyantly wicked bigwig the Chairman, Burt Grinstead as preening narcissist musclehead Jed Perfectus, Folake Olowfoyeku as angry rapper Minerva Jefferson, Yancy Butler as fiery resistance leader Alexis Hamilton, Anessa Ramsey as hick religious fanatic Tammy, Charlie Farrell as obnoxiously hearty emcee JB, and Shanna Olson as ditsy reporter Grace Tickle. The tacky CGI effects and blaring rock soundtrack further add to this film's infectiously kitschy charm. The bonkers surprise ending hits the gut-busting spot as well. A total campy blast.