Death Race 2050

A garish follow-up to Roger Corman's 1975 cult classic rather than the penitentiary-centred trilogy launched in 2008 with Jason Statham as a convict racing for his life. In a future when a cure for cancer delivers rampant overpopulation, the Death Race is a viciously addictive way of culling the masses while simultaneously keeping them entertained. As with the original, this Corman-produced schlockathon rests on a cross-country car race where points mean corpses and cyborg champion driver Frankenstein (Manu Bennett) defends his title against homicidal maniacs like pompadoured muscleman Jed Perfectus. There's also a return to some strategically targeted satire (TV fame, corporate power, mass automation) but it's too broad to be effective. Though initially watchable, the carnage quickly loses its lurid lustre, Bennett borders on the comatose and Malcolm McDowell's Trump-like evil dictator, seemingly decked out in Elton John's old 70s hand-me-downs, swallows the scenery to nonsensical effect.