Every once in a while, Roger Corman, "a dear friend of mine" ;=8), comes out with a little gem among the tons of coal he produces every year, and "DR2K" is one of them. Kind of a poor-man's "Roller Ball", "DR2K" is about the ultimate in New America's blood sport in a fascist "near-future", with David Carradine("Kung Fu")as the anti-hero Frankenstein. Produced by Corman, and directed by Paul Bartell("Eating Raoul"), the film is fast-paced, blackly humorous, and well-made. Unlike many Corman cheapies, the stark, spartan setting of "DR2K" only adds to the bleak atmosphere, where Mr. President rules from overseas, and old folks are routinely euthanized as part of the game. The game, in this case, being the Transcontinental Road Race where anything goes, and where pedestrians are run over and assigned kill points. Carradine plays a darkly foreboding Frankenstein, so-called because of the many limbs he has lost as a result of running the Death Race. A pre-"Rocky" Sylvester Stallone is grand as Machine-Gun Joe Viterbo, Frankenstein's arch-rival. Also stars Mary Woronov("Eating Raoul", "Rock & Roll High School")as Calamity Jane, Roberta Collins("Eaten Alive", "Hardbodies")delightful as Matilda the Hun, and 60's DJ Don Steele as a mincing little announcer. One of Corman's many little social cowmentaries, this one about the all-too American obsession for violence and sports; thankfully he allows Bartell to deftly and briskly direct. Still, it's a fairly low-budget affair; pedetrians get crushed, and things git blowed up real good, but it only makes you wonder what the film cud have been with a larger budget. Oh well, at least there isn't a giant evil pickle from Venus in this one... The MooCow says this Guilty Pleasure is definitely rentable, so just yell "Blitzkrieg!" and fire up that vcr!! :

Death Race 2000 is the finest example to show how easy it actually was back in the seventies to come up with a timeless cult film. Honestly, anyone could have invented an outrageously exaggerated premise like this but the fact that it was actually Roger Corman who dealt with it just proves how eminently he ruled the B-movie circuit back then. Death Race 2000 is one of the most entertaining films ever made and I, for one, can't imagine someone not loving the severely ridicule story of a coast-to-coast car race where the contesters score points by wiping pedestrians off the road. Silly, yes…but even more ingenious, flamboyant and offensive. Pure cult, in other words, and fundamental viewing for every soul who ever showed interest in extravagant film-making! The script is stuffed with imaginative findings (euthanasia day at the hospital!) and downright UNsubtle protest towards the American way of life (a factor that determines Death Race 2000 as cult even more). Considering it's a Corman production, the film also contains explicit violence, provoking messages and a truckload of sleaze! All the elements that guarantee untamed cult success! Of course it has to be said that it could have been an even better film if Corman and director Paul Bartel focused on a more proper elaboration of the versatile idea. The rivalry between Carradine and Stallone, for example, should have resulted in a more intriguing sub plot and even though DR 2000 already contains much absurdity as it is, the premise surely had potential enough to add even more sick jokes and cynical situations. David Carradine acts deliciously as always and Stallone is excellent as well. Death Race 2000 is cinema that separates the men from the boys, people! Stop exploring the cult genre in case you didn't had the time of your life watching this film.

In many ways, this is a terrible movie that is also a guilty pleasure! And that is because although it's a cheesy movie, it never takes itself seriously and is just plain stupid fun!

The film begins in the distant year 2000 where the national obsession is a sport known as "the Death Race". This race is a combination of fastest times along with the number of pedestrians killed by the drivers (the more the better). And, despite it being violent and gross, it feeds the public's need for sick entertainment. In fact, the public is so fascinated by the race that they put up with a sick dictatorial government just because it gives them the race (sort of like Ancient Rome and and Coliseum). A small but determined resistance movement (lead by Thomassina Paine) vows to disrupt the race and restore peace and freedom to the ambivalent masses, but they don't seem to have a prayer of success.

The public just doesn't care. What they do care about it the driver named "Frankenstein" (David Carradine) because he is not only the best racer but he's been injured and put back together so many times he reportedly looks like a monster. However, given that he always wears a black leather skull cap mask and dressed from head to to in tight black leather (along with a cute cape), no one really know WHAT he looks like--they just know he's the best (sort of like the Dale Earnhart of the picture).

The other racers are all silly broad parodies--ranging from Matilda the Hun (dressed like a German dominatrix) to Sylvester Stallone as an uncouth lout who loves to slap around women and threatens to kill Frankenstein. There are a couple other drivers, but they, too are pretty broad in their portrayals. The dialog is also very broad...and often silly.

Once the race begins it's obvious that the resistance is serious, as they start wiping out drivers--and intend in killing them all. In addition, the public love Frankenstein so much they offer him a lot of help to win. My favorite part is when the doctors and nurses at the old folks home wheel the oldsters out into the street to try to help Frankenstein with his body count. However, Frankenstein being a true hero and gentleman, drives OFF the road to avoid the easy kills and drives into the facility to kill off the staff! Now that's sportsmanship!! The movie goes on from there from one violent encounter after another and with some very broadly played vignettes in between.

I could tell you more but don't want to spoil the suspense. The film is funny, gross and you'll be ashamed of yourself for watching it but you'll also find you can't stop! A brilliantly cheesy and cool ending ties it all together and makes this a dreadful but must-see film for ADULTS OR OLDER RESPONSIBLE TEENS ONLY!!!

By the way, the plot is in many ways like the original "Rollerball"....and, like "Death Race 2000", never needed a remake....so, naturally they did remakes of both! I haven't seen the remake "Death Race" but the newer "Rollerball" is in every possible way a worse and stupider film.