“Death Race 2000” The reason why this super cult work that foresaw the future is loved is because of its “black comedy”! ?

Is it similar to “Death Race”? ``The Hunger Games'' fight for survival

Incidentally, The Hunger Games (2012-2015) series starring Jennifer Lawrence is a work that strongly echoes the elements of "dictatorship," "president," and " The Game of death with no way out." Set in the future, a nation called Panem that spreads across the area formerly known as America, the story follows young people selected from those between the ages of 12 and 18 who compete in a battle royale that uses their intelligence and physical strength in a live broadcast across the nation.

Although the original work was a huge hit, I couldn't help but feel the influence of "Death Race 2000" throughout the film. The theme of human violence is deeply rooted here, and the protagonist's obsession to turn the world upside down by taking advantage of the inciting mass media and the oppression of those in power can be seen here and there.

For that matter, there is a similar feel to the way the gladiators kill each other in " Gladiator " (2000) and the enthusiastic spectators who watch them. In short, it may be that the same blood of "violence" that has been passed down since ancient times constantly flows through this type of subject matter.

As long as humanity continues to exist, these kinds of "killing" movies will continue to be mass-produced, and whenever we come across one of them, we will be seized by a strange feeling, as if we are currently hearing faintly the engine sound of "Death Race 2000" from somewhere in the gap between time and space.

Text: USHIZU ATSUNOBU

Born in Nagasaki in 1977. When he was 3 years old, he saw ``Superman II'' with his father and became fascinated with movies. After The Graduate from Meiji University, he worked for a movie broadcasting channel and then became a movie writer. Currently, in addition to writing for Eiga.com, EYESCREAM, Real Sound Movie Club, etc., he also contributes to media press and theater programs.

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