Welcome to Reel People. It’s a place where, you guessed it, real people like yourselves spout off on new movie releases. It works best if you - yes, we mean you - jump into the forum link below and tell us what you think of the movie, too.

This week, we’re watching Death Race.

What I Liked: I have to say going into a movie with little expectations, it was a whirlwind of action! You can’t help but duck, squirm and look around with your mouth open for a moment or two. What lacked in storyline and acting, made up for it in explosions and pure neanderthal testosterone. “oh oh oh oh” (Tim Allen grunt)

What I Disliked: Besides every other scene being a slow motion music video splice, the acting and storyline are not what this film will be known for. No Oscars here except for maybe a sound editing nod or other technical awards. If you like other Statham flicks, you may find it a bit more appealing.

Would I Recommend?: Yes for someone who is looking for straight up action!! I see a lot of guys dragging their girlfriends to this one as penance for making them see Sex In The City a few weeks earlier.

Score: 6 out of 10

- Michelle Schenck

What I Liked: Get ready for action, violence, fast cars, and plenty of gruesome deaths. Death Race has everything you expect in a film about prisoners in a not too distant future racing one another for their freedom, and high television ratings.  Jason Statham from The Transporter fame plays Jensen Ames, a prisoner hand picked by a cruel warden, played remarkably well by Joan Allen, to be her champion in the Death Race. Joan Allen is the most entertaining to watch in this film.  A villainous who is cold, calculating, and dangerously self confident. The other villains of the film, various convicts each with their own uniqueness and objectives, help keep the story moving. Tyrese Gibson plays Machine Gun Joe, one of these convicts, and he does a good job.  But it isn’t anything we haven’t seen him play before. New comer Natalie Martinez adds the eye candy to the screen as the hero’s navigator and besides just her looks her acting is pretty impressive for the role she is given.

Jason Statham is enjoyable as the hero of the film, but doesn’t really amaze you.  What does amaze you is the action sequences of the races which are full of explosions and gripping excitement. You get so pulled in you can’t wait for the next scene.  You’ll find yourself laughing out loud, clapping, and definitely cheering.

What I Disliked: The action sequences are so packed, that sometimes it is hard to figure out what exactly is happening. So many of the cars look alike you can’t really tell whose crashing into who, whose car is getting shot at, and whose car has just exploded until their names and faces are shown to the viewers at home. The camera work wants to put you right in the middle of it all, but only seems to add to the confusion. And because of all this action, there isn’t any time to really explore the other characters including Jensen Ames assigned pit crew. What are they in for, why are they on the pit crew? What are they getting out of it?

Would I Recommend?: For action lovers and lovers of death, destruction, and mayhem you need to see this movie. But if you’re looking for an award winning piece of film, avoid this at all costs. This film is strictly an adrenalin rush. So much so that they have to put a disclaimer at the end of the movie reminding you that the action was all done by professionals. And that’s because you get so caught up in the action, you don’t want it to end.

Score: 7 out of 10

- John T. McMillin

What I Liked: Death Race is no joy ride! This is a thrill a minute, edge of your seat, don’t blink slaughter expedition.  My heart raced through the movie as fast as the racers. Jason Statham (as lead character Jensen Ames) delivers in another stunt filled hit about an ex-race star framed for murder and forced to participate in a prison race to the death. Joan Allen gives a stunning performance as the cold-blooded warden Hennessy who orchestrates the high profit death race competition. Tyrese Gibson is also great as Jensen’s adversary in the competition. This movie provides excellent entertainment with nonstop action, suspense, gorgeous guys and great special effects.

What I Disliked: Death Race was too murky, violent and gory for my taste. There was nothing left to the imagination. Although it was a bit much for me, it was the aggressively brutal scenes and bloodshed that made this movie great. One scene made me think of Final Destination II. You see every bit of the splattering and exploding heads. They did a great job of showing these effects even up close. For me this movie is the Fast and the Furious with a Final Destination of Batman’s Gotham City.

Would I Recommend?: If you like gruesome scenes of sadism, bloodshed and vicious cruel behavior amongst mankind assembled as entertainment, then this movie is just what you’d order.  This movie is rated R for Ruthlessness, Raunchy, Rude and a Really Rough Ride. This is not for children, elders or the weak at heart (that includes me).

Score: 9 out of 10

- Tanisha Speight