Race Against Time (2003)

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

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

This movie has a plot...unlike many.It has a reason for the evil corporations to exist and actually BE evil.It has action, suspense and martial arts...with a touch of mystery and drama.While the future was made a little bit too futuristic as it is supposed to be 2008 and this review is almost in 2007, it's not impossible to see too far off.Nice pacing, good casting.This goes on my watchable list of movies.If Arnold or Bruce Willis would have headlines, this would have been a blockbuster instead of a straight to video.I'm glad they didn't headline it, because they would have destroyed the lead character with their presence.Eric Roberts was cast great as the father.Cool movie...

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.

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.