As a long-time NASCAR fan, once again it's sad to see Hollywood botch a racing film. (Days of Thunder is the most well-known flawed portrayal.) Steel Chariots, a Fox made-for-TV film, is far worse than Days of Thunder was, though. Days, for all its portrayal of NASCAR drivers as homicidal and/or suicidal maniacs when behind the wheel, had good actors (Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall, Nicole Kidman, Fred Thompson), while this film has actors who seem more wooden than the NASCAR personalities who make cameos. It also has some really offensive stereotypes, perhaps -- perhaps -- one step ahead of Dukes of Hazard. A couple of good race shots are all that salvage this from being an unmitigated disaster... instead, it's a very slightly mitigated disaster.
2 Reviews
a little better than other race flicks
As a former karting and formula driver, I have to admit that as always, this movie leaves the same incomplete and dull flavor of unfairly treated racing, but definitely, considering the real trash that movies in general have done with every movie that touches the racing theme, this is definitely better than so many others. Consider the real piece of trash Stallone made with Driven, now there's one to forget!
Some of the racing flicks that have been somewhat interesting, or at least amusing have been Days of thunder, even if too much Hollywood is felt throughout it all. The best racing movies to date though, still remain 24 heures du mans with Steve McQueen and Grand Prix. Another amusing one without being a good movie, could be Six pack with Kenny Rogers.
One more thing is that at least the movie involved Nascar, which is actually a joke. They always compete in Ovals (Just like IRL), most of the drivers are cowboy-like which means the movie is not so far off the mark, and the series has little concern for the drivers' safety, which makes it very competitive while not REAL HARDCORE RACING. Problem is when they consider true racing, such as Formula 1, Formula 3, Cart, Karting, Motorcycle racing, Prototype racing, Touring racing, etc... Which are the true essence of racing. So I disagree with the so called nascar fan who commented before on this movie, sorry pal, you should really learn a little bit about true racing.
Watch it when you got nothing better to do, at least it will keep you amused. Let's hope screenwriters delve a little more into racing before throwing another unfair flick to this noble sport.
finnerss30 December 2001
Warning: Spoilers
- Might contain spoilers -
As a former karting and formula driver, I have to admit that as always, this movie leaves the same incomplete and dull flavor of unfairly treated racing, but definitely, considering the real trash that movies in general have done with every movie that touches the racing theme, this is definitely better than so many others. Consider the real piece of trash Stallone made with Driven, now there's one to forget!
Some of the racing flicks that have been somewhat interesting, or at least amusing have been Days of thunder, even if too much Hollywood is felt throughout it all. The best racing movies to date though, still remain 24 heures du mans with Steve McQueen and Grand Prix. Another amusing one without being a good movie, could be Six pack with Kenny Rogers.
One more thing is that at least the movie involved Nascar, which is actually a joke. They always compete in Ovals (Just like IRL), most of the drivers are cowboy-like which means the movie is not so far off the mark, and the series has little concern for the drivers' safety, which makes it very competitive while not REAL HARDCORE RACING. Problem is when they consider true racing, such as Formula 1, Formula 3, Cart, Karting, Motorcycle racing, Prototype racing, Touring racing, etc... Which are the true essence of racing. So I disagree with the so called nascar fan who commented before on this movie, sorry pal, you should really learn a little bit about true racing.
Watch it when you got nothing better to do, at least it will keep you amused. Let's hope screenwriters delve a little more into racing before throwing another unfair flick to this noble sport.
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