Gran Turismo is generic but competent. It hits all the underdog sports movie tropes with cliche characters, repetitive obstacles, and predictable outcomes. There's blunt exposition, rushed emotions, mediocre humor, and formulaic drama. The family arc feels unearned and the writing often tells rather than shows. Still, even though its artificiality undermines most of the tension, all the pieces are correctly placed. It has some setup/payoff, a surprisingly heavy low point, and decent undertones of classism and PTSD. Plus, the acting provides motivation, chemistry, relatability, and vulnerability. Ultimately, Gran Turismo softens its lack of originality with proper execution.
Technically, Gran Turismo is active. Its direction has pops of surrealism. The imagery adds motion, handhelds, framing, focus, lenses, and mounts. Its needle-drop music is trans-diegetic and plot-relevant. The commercialized production design establishes large-scale racing. Its fairly famous cast has a lesser-known lead. The effects support tangible driving stunts with solid CGI. Its editing uses inserts, jump cuts, pacing, slo-mo, montages, and freeze frames for dynamic energy despite a hefty runtime. The vivid sound offers emphasis, smash cuts, action, split cuts, muffling, stings, intimacy, layers, and echoes. Overall, Gran Turismo elevates its flawed script with skilled craft.
Writing: 5/10
Direction: 7/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 8/10
Sound: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 7/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 6/10
Effects: 8/10
Overall Score: 7.1/10
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