Outside of my love for movies, I also love race car events. I have attended many NASCAR races and have traveled to different states for races. Gran Turismo is not NASCAR, but it highlights the importance that winning and losing has in auto racing. Ultimately, it proves that perseverance is essential when getting behind the wheel of a race car and when taking risks.

Gran Turismo is based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough (played Archie Madekwe), and how he went from a teen video gamer to becoming one of the most talented racers in the world. With the help of former race car driver Jack Salter (played by David Harbour) and motorsport executive Danny Moore (played by Orlando Bloom), they form a team that rises to the top. Mardenborough is the one behind the wheel, but Salter and Moore show him the ropes. They teach him the difference between a video game simulator to a real race car. They also teach him in-depth tactics while in a real race. The practice and the races are the daring aspects of Gran Turismo. It is so daring that at times I felt like I was in the passenger seat next to Mardenborough in this wild, inspiring, and true adventure. Gran Turismo is a ride that will make its viewers anxious for wins from Mardenborough.

Skills, reactions, sensitivity, and quick decisions are the components of success in Gran Turismo. The more Mardenborough wins, the more other racers come after him and the more dangerous the races become. The race scenes will leave the audiences breathless and mesmerized. Talent combined with sacrifice and devotion helps Mardenborough rise to the top. He is destined to be the best, despite problems and errors along the way.

Even though the races are invigorating, there are moments where the danger brings a lot of physical and mental pressure. When someone dies in a race Mardenborough feels guilty and distraught. He is told, “Someone is dead because racing is dangerous,” and those dangers hold true even as Mardenborough keeps rising to the top.

There is no easy way to handle the unexpected on the track. There is no way to change the infrastructure of the track. The only thing that can be handled is how Mardenborough mentally chooses to drive on the track. His mental preparedness invigorates the film and propels Mardenborough to his successes. Gran Turismo is about a person who never gives up and who takes serious what it means to be a champion. There are all kinds of champion moments in Gran Turismo, and it is visually stunning. It shows how emotional a loss can be, but it also channels what it takes to overcome the losses and be a stronger competitor. There is no quitting in Gran Turismo. There is only trial, error, and achievement.

I loved the Gran Turismo video game as a kid and Gran Turismo is a faithful film that feels like a simulator experience. But it took the experience up many notches beyond a video game. Three and a half out of four stars for Gran Turismo.