High Octane Thrills Meets Hollywood

Thanks for stopping by! You want to know more about Gran Turismo and if you should take your child. In this Gran Turismo Christian Movie Review, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children. 

This exciting underdog story features a video gamer and his rise to becoming a professional race car driver. But it is an intense movie, and may be too intense for the younger crowd.

I applaud you for being proactive (and if your child has already seen the movie and you are trying to figure out how to deal with that, I have some teachable moment topics below).

Gran Turismo Christian Review

Studio Synopsis:

Gran Turismo is based on the unbelievable true story of a team of unlikely underdogs – a struggling working-class gamer (Archie Madekwe), a failed former race car driver (David Harbour), and an idealistic motorsport executive (Orlando Bloom). Together, they risk it all to take on the most elite sport in the world. Gran Turismo is an inspiring, thrilling, and action-packed story that proves that nothing is impossible when you’re fueled from within.

My Synopsis:

Did you grow up and follow your dreams? Jann Mardenborough (Archie Madekwe) sells “bloomers” in a boutique but dreams of being a race car driver with real cars and not just the ones on a video game screen. Both his mother and father want him to do something besides play video games.

When Nissan teams up with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (PlayStation) to offer the chance for the top ten gamers to compete for the chance to win a spot as an actual race car driver, Jann faces impossible odds. Does a video gamer actually have what it takes to compete against the top race car drivers in the world?

Gran Turismo Christian Movie Review What Parents Want to Know

Language: 

Strong language was one reason this movie received a PG-13 rating. There is one use of the f word, and an instance where it may have been said or mumbled. 

Additionally, there are several instances where God’s and Jesus’s names are taken in vain. Repeated use of holy s-it, s-it, and bull-, along with d-mn, b-tch, and h-ll.

Violence:

There is a horrible and horrific accident. A person is killed. However, you do not see that happen, but it is talked about. You also see a person being removed from a vehicle and put onto a helicopter. 

Additionally, there are other crashes with cars on fire or flipping over and spinning out.

Furthermore, there are scenes where a race car driver intentionally crashes into another driver. 

A character is shown with scars on his face after an accident.

In one scene, a person points their finger like a gun at another person’s head.

Spiritual Content:

It is said, “You manifested this”.

Other Content:

A comment is made, you “broke your cherry.” (I am glad that I didn’t get asked about that, but I don’t think we are out of the woods yet.) Another character assumes a person is viewing porn on a computer when he hastily closes the screen.

Additionally, a person vomits.

There is a brief suggestive dance. Furthermore, there are a few scenes that involve alcohol. One of those scenes involve underage drinking. Champagne is drunk right from the bottle. A couple kisses.

One character scrolls through a girl’s social media posts. It is apparent he likes her.

Deception:

Two characters sneak out of the house, take a car that isn’t theirs, and meet up with friends. 

Excessive Commercialism:

While Gran Turismo is a Sony PlayStation game and Nissan sponsored the GT Academy, there are 2 hours of product placement throughout the film. Gran Turismo, the movie, is based on the famous PlayStation video game.

Gran Turismo Christian Movie Review Viewing Recommendations:

I laughed, cried, and sat on the edge of my seat. Most importantly, after the movie was over, I was Googling the true story of Jann Mardenborough before I even got to my car. When the audience wants to know more about the movie they just watched, that is the definition of a great movie, and even non-fans of car racing will enjoy this movie.

Furthermore, this feel-good underdog drama with video game origins crafts a story that touches the heart. The special effects shots and the race sequences are fantastic.

However, just because a movie captures my attention doesn’t mean it is suitable for kids. Based on the content of the movie, including an accident, and the harsh language, this movie is not for kids. Additionally, there are intense racing sequences with crashes and fires. Be aware that even older children who have been in accidents may have a problem watching those type of scenes.

About the Gran Turismo Movie:

Rating: PG-13 Intense Action and Some Strong Language

Theatrical Release Date: August 25, 2023

Runtime: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Genre: Action/Sports

Studio: Columbia Pictures, PlayStation Productions, 2.0 Entertainment

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Screenplay by: Jason Hall (American Sniper) and Zach Baylin (King Richard)

Produced by: Doug Belgrad, Assad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, Dana Brunetti

Executive Producers: Matthew Herschel, Jason Hall, Kazunori Yamauchi, Herman Hulst

Edited by: Colby Parker Jr. And Austyn Daines

Music by: Lorne Balfe and Andrew Kawczynski 

Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing

Based on The PlayStation Studios video game

The Cast of Gran Turismo:

Danny Moore played by Orlando Bloom

Jack Salter played by David Harbour

Jann Mardenborough played by Archie Madekwe

Kazunori Yamauchi played by Akihito Hira

Matty Davis played by Darren Barnet

Lesley Mardenborough played by Geri Horner

Steve Mardenborough played by Djimon Hounsou

Nicholas Capa played by Josha Stradowski

Coby Mardenborough played by Daniel Puig

Audrey played by Maeve Courtier-Lilley

Antonio Cruz played by Pepe Barroso

Frederik Schulin played by Niall McShea

Persol played by Nikhil Parmar

Patrice Capa played by Thomas Kretschmann

Akira Akiba played by Akie Kotabe

Nissan Board Member played by Sadao Ueda

Senior Nissan Executive played by Wai Wong

Teachable Moments from Gran Turismo:

This video game movie tells the real-life story of how Jann Mardenborough became a real-life professional driver. However, nine players didn’t make that top spot. Discuss the odds of the competition. There were actually 90,000 competing along with Jann in the first rounds.

Furthermore, discuss the aspects of the movie that deal with disobedience, underage drinking, lying, taking the car without permission, and evading the police. What does the Bible say about each of those actions?

Ask the question: “Why do you think Jann lied to his father about who was driving the car?” 

Frequently Asked Questions about Gran Turismo:

Where can I watch Gran Turismo?

Gran Turismo’s release date is August 25, 2023.

Is there an end-credit scene for Gran Turismo?

There is not an end-credit scene for Gran Turismo.

Is Gran Turismo based on a true story?

Gran Turismo is based on a loose telling of the fact-based story of the Gran Turismo games and one winner of the GT Academy. However, they have taken liberties with the real story and embellished or changed the timeline in some instances.

For instance, in real life, the crash that killed someone happened after the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

Will Gran Turismo stream on Disney+? 

No, Gran Turismo will not be streaming on Disney+.

Will Gran Turismo stream on Peacock?

Gran Turismo will not be streaming on Peacock as Sony struck a deal with Netflix to stream their movies.

Will Gran Turismo stream on Netflix?

Since Sony struck a deal with Netflix, Gran Turismo will stream on Netflix. We expect Gran Turismo to stream around November 2023.

How much did it cost to produce Gran Turismo?

Gran Turismo cost $40 million to produce.

How many people competed in the Gran Turismo video game competition?

Ninety thousand people were competing in a series of Nissan competitions throughout different regions. They took the top participants to GT Academy, where they vied for the top spot.

What year did Jann Mardenborough win the GT Academy?

Mardenborough, the main character, became the third winner of the GT Academy in 2011. Additionally, he was the youngest competition winner and drove with Team Nissan at the Dubai 24 Hour. 

Is Jack Salter based on a real person?

Danny Harbour (Stranger Things star) plays Jack Salter who is not a real person. However, he is based on the real life race car driver, Johnny Herbert.

Is Nissan Executive Danny Moore based on a real person?

Danny Moore is played by Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings star). However, you will not find a person named Danny Moore involved with GT Academy. Moore is based on GT Academy Founder Darren Cox. Cox was a Nissan Europe Executive. GT Academy was the brainchild of Cox.

Fun Facts About Gran Turismo:

The real-life Jann Mardenborough performed stunts for his character in the movie.

Executive Producer, Kazunori Yamauchi, is the video game developer of the racing simulator, Gran Turismo. He is also CEO of Polyphony Digital. His favorite car design is the Ford GT and he owns two of them.

Have you seen the Cars movie franchise? Those adorable racing movies are a much better choice for children’s viewing.