The Best Video Game Movie Ever? ("Gran Turismo" Movie Review)

 

1995's "Mortal Kombat" was widely considered for many years to be the best video game ever made. Which wasn't saying much since just about every video game made during that time and previously ranged from bleh to hot garbage. Not to downplay the nostalgia that some of these bad films give to people, but it was a genre of film that was never given respect. 

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Later on film adaptations of "Tomb Raider," "Resident Evil," and "Silent Hill" tried to remove this stigma, to little effect. They were better films, but nothing truly remarkable. These films were fun popcorn films, for sure...but forgettable. Well...I do remember that Angelina Jolie towel scene. But is that saying much?

In 2016 Michael Fassbender produced and starred in a film adaptation of "Assassin's Creed," giving much hope that the streak of junk video game films was about to end. It only added to the pile, to the disappointment of fans. Fans of the game and fans of cinema. What hope was there?

On streaming, we were given a welcome turn of events with "The Last Of Us," starring Pedro Pascal, giving an unexpected wave of fantastic video game television. But was it going to happen on the big screen?

I believe we have found the film that will perhaps be regarded as the best of the video game film pile, and that is 2023's "Gran Turismo." 

It is remarkably based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough, a sim racer who was given the opportunity to race in real life races and was successful. It takes from not just this wonderfully touching story but also from the video game source material,  Sony's simulation video game.

It's not only well acted (thanks to stars like David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Djimon Hounsou, and the brilliant star turn of Archie Madekwe), well directed (Neill Blomkamp), but it gives the viewer hope that just about anything is possible.

I highly recommend this uplifting film about dreams and determination. And those dreams coming true.

By Jess Solis