La course contre la montre

I remember when I went to see Freejack in 1992: I was hungry for some good post-apocalyptic cyberpunk cinema.

The premise that time was the same as now: Protagonist tries to stay alive while penetrating to the heart of enormous, amoral forces that seek to turn him into spare parts. Back in 1992, we got a callow Emilio Esteves -- A world-class race-car driver? C'mon! -- as hero and romantic protagonist hopelessly miscast as a romantic foil to Renee Russo, who gamely did her best. What else? Let's see: Mick Jagger, phoning in his role with little more than a sneer, and Jerry Hall in a cameo doing her best Jerry Hall imitation. Even the normally excellent Anthony Hopkins seemed almost a plastic copy of himself.

Compare with this time around. Same premise, but this time Eric Roberts' character and Sarah Wynter's generate some actual sympathy and chemistry when they're not adding to the body count -- both showing some depth of character and conscience, each in his/her way. Cary Elwes is chillingly effective in his role as a hunter of almost reptilian persistence. Diane Venora turns in a fine supporting performance as an executive apparatchik who discovers the gross misjustice being perpetrated. And the curious flatness and jerkiness of Freejack eight years ago is eclipsed by this much better-paced story.

"Race Against Time" may be a formulaic television movie, but this should diminish the film. Eric Roberts is great and Cary Elwes is devilishly better in an awesome movie called "Race Against Time."

This is one of the most brilliant movies I have seen. The performances are awesome and best of all it is suspense filled. In addition to the suspense, "Race Against Time" brings non-stop, edge of your seat action and drama to a movie that has a star who acts in nothing but action movies.

I must give praise to the writers and director of "Race Against Time" because they took an awesome script and turned it into a work of art. A man signs his life away to save his son but when he discovers his son is dead, he breaks the agreement and runs for his life. Who wouldn't watch this movie after reading the plot? I know I would watch it.

The cast is phenomenal in "Race Against Time. Eric Roberts seems to get better and better with each role he takes. Roberts expands his acting skills from action to being a dedicated and caring father. It is always good to see that an actor can be versatile.

However, the best actor in this whole movie was the evil Cary Elwes. Elwes is the ultimate bad guy and he portrays the villain never well. I wish I never got on the wrong side of Mr. Elwes. Besides Elwes, the climax of this film makes this film so good.

"Race Against Time" is a heart-pumping, heart-warming, suspenseful and edge of your seat thriller that will involve you from start to finish. If you enjoy Eric Roberts you will enjoy "Race Against Time." TWO THUMBS WAY UP.

This movie has it all... CGI (but it looks "too CGI"), romance, action (NOT exactly Hong Kong-action but...) and sci-fi (well, as sci-fi as you can get with black motorcycle-helmets and laser-gunsights)...

Because I'm "euro-trash", I didn't know who Eric Roberts was, but now I do... I'm starting to understand why he is portrayed like he is in the South Park episode "Cartman's Mom Is Still A Dirty Slut"...

Since I've already bought the movie, I might watch it a couple of times, but on a scale of 1 to 10? 3...

I really like the concept of the movie but it was slow wih the story and fast at times when we can't even keep up with the characters. Eric Roberts is a great actor but this one was really out there. The performances are really good and the story was ok but we really end up not caring about the movie or the people in it. I really mean that. Even the special effects could not save it? Oh well... I had high expectations with this flick but no cigar. Oh the story... wait a minute don't really waste your time... If you like Cary Elwes and Eric Roberts see it but if your not a fan of either just rent "The Running Man" with Arnold! Better movie and that's not saying much even though I liked that movie. Out of 4 stars I give it 1 1/2 stars.

In the future, US corporations take advantage of permissive suicide and health care laws to harvest human body parts. Those with healthy organs may trade them for a cash sum, upon death. If you plan to die quickly, you will get more money. Our story's hero is lowly high rise construction worker Eric Roberts (as James Gabriel). He is a poor widower, but in excellent health. "I never get sick," states Mr. Roberts. However, Roberts' son Daniel Magder (as Bobby) may not be so lucky. The child has contracted the dreaded "Ralph Virus" once thought to be extinct. It kills furiously fast, but there is a cure...

Alas, the vaccine is prohibitively expensive. With his son literally at death's door, Roberts signs a contract with the wickedly corrupt "Lifecorps" corporation, for $300,000. Roberts must turn over his body for harvesting in exactly one year, but the money will cure Bobby. Of course, things can go wrong...

Roberts is a reliable lead, as usual. He spars well with villainous Cary Elwes (as Burke), who is exceptional as elevator doors close on his face. Athletic blonde Sarah Wynter (as Alex) provides feminine companionship, but corporate officer Diane Venora (as Helen Steele) is the one with the more interesting yen for Roberts. "Lifecorps" sleaze Chris Sarandon (as Anton Stofeles) has little to do; it would have improved the story to have him be in desperate need of a Roberts body part. Robin Wilcock (as Rupert Elliot) is impressive. For a TNT Presents TV Movie, "Race Against Time" delivers the goods.

****** Race Against Time (7/23/00) Geoff Murphy ~ Eric Roberts, Cary Elwes, Sarah Wynter, Diane Venora