Review Roundup For Gran Turismo

The checkered flag is in sight as Gran Turismo premieres in theaters this month. While the racing flick based on the PlayStation video game franchise won't launch wide until August 25 in the US now, special sneak peeks are starting this weekend for the movie.

So far, critics don't seem enamored with the ride offered in Gran Turismo. On GameSpot sister site Metacritic, the racing film currently sits with a 41 metascore after 10 reviews have been published.

Gran Turismo follows the true story of Jann Mardenborough (portrayed by Archie Madekwe) as he goes from a player of the racing game to a professional racer. David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, and Geri Halliwell Horner also star in the Sony movie, which is helmed by District 9 director Neill Blomkamp.

To celebrate Gran Turismo's premiere, Gran Turismo 7 has added a car from the movie. Players can grab the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 '18 for free in the game from now through September 28.

For varying perspectives on Gran Turismo, check out below:

Variety - Unscored

"But Gran Turismo, Blomkamp’s first major feature in eight years, is easily his best. It's made with a spontaneous humanistic grace, and the racing sequences, which dominate the movie because they're truly the story it's telling, are dazzlingly directed and edited." -- Owen Glieberman [Full review]

GamesRadar - 3/5 stars

"Blomkamp keeps the on-track tension revving nicely, but it's not all gear shifts and tire squeals. Along the way, there's time for some sweetly PG romance with a girl from back home (Maeve Courtier-Lilley) and some gentle ribbing over Jann's chill-out songs of choice (Kenny G's Songbird, Orinoco Flow by Enya)." -- Neil Smith [Full review]

SlashFilm - 4/10

"In the end, Gran Turismo can't escape the feeling of being actively held back at every turn--by the confines of video game conventions, by a painfully trope-laden script, or simply by the fact that everything this video game movie wants to achieve has already been done better before." -- Jeremy Mathai [Full review]

Empire - 2/5 stars

"Despite some warm performances, it's very hard to ignore the feeling that this is largely just two hours of product placement." -- John Nugent [Full review]

The Guardian - 1/5 stars

"Commerce contaminates the whole endeavour. When Jann gives Jack a heartfelt gift, which company logo is clearly visible on it? (Clue: it isn't Apple.)" -- Ryan Gilbey [Full review]