I'm a fan of indie sci-fi flicks, and apparently so are director Robert Brosseau and the Hyper Image production company, because the 2007 film they released is a surprisingly ambitious stab at an animated adventure aimed at the PG-13 crowd. RACE is not the most original space opera ever made and is not without its share of glaring problems, but the tendency of the filmmakers to make the extra effort shines through in most of the features' aspects and makes this one worth chancing for particular sci-fi fans.
The story: In a distant future wherein a shaky interplanetary alliance is maintained by the popularity of a dangerous vehicular sport, a ragtag human racing team uncovers the plot of a sinister ruler to seize control by shattering the alliance.
Despite its cartoonish design and unrated status, RACE is clearly a movie for a slightly older crowd of kids, given its salty dialogue, high level of violence, and sexual undertones. This works well enough for an action feature, and the movie definitely has some good adrenaline scenes going for it. The entire racing aspect is a clear lift from THE PHANTOM MENACE – right down to the first contest taking place on a desert planet – but the filmmakers have a knack for creating thrills and craft three surprisingly excellent race scenes, bolstered by a handful of shootouts and dogfights. Most promising of all is Brosseau's direction: even though the animation sometimes dips into cheap video game quality, the editing and camera-work gives this one a surprisingly professional edge, to the point that it's easy to imagine it being filmed in live-action.
Disappointingly, the film's weaknesses weigh heavy on its enjoyability. The screenplay by Rhonda Smiley is intricately detailed - possibly too much so for some viewers. The extensive cast and complexity of the plot's politics are more akin to DUNE than anything George Lucas ever created, and it may be a little excessive for a casual audience. It might seem more involving had the characters been more intriguing, but from the cocky protagonist to the crotchety team manager and the doomed best friend, don't expect many surprises or opportunities for these guys to grow on you. Additionally, the heavy sexualization of female characters is wearying: I challenge anyone to find even a handful of female characters – even in the background – who are not revealingly dressed or designed with enormous breasts.
Nevertheless, RACE is unique enough of an experience to take note of, and in that regard, it's disappointing that it's so obscure. Without a doubt, this is the niche film of someone who has yet to discover it, and the feature is strong enough to make it worth checking out – just in case you're that someone. Rent it if you're interested.
