Defying expectations, the Gran Turismo film is placed unusually between videogame adaptation and fictionalised quasi-documentary, recounting the actual (marketing) programme to recruit the the best amateur racing car game simulator players for training to become real competitive drivers. Starting off in ordinary teen Jann's bedroom in Cardiff playing the game on his Playstation, the film benefits enormously from the collision of videogame and reality, as it establishes Jann's regular and teen-relatable life effectively before joins seven others at the GT Academy and ultimately makes it through to the professional Team Nissan. The film looks shiny and hi-tech with visually appealing globe-trotting, high-end visual effects work and thrillingly-staged race sequences that blend the blurring of game/reality with very visceral moments to great effect. Archie Madekwe proves to be a very engaging lead as the audience's identification point, the unlikely pairing of Djimon Hounsou and Geri Horner as his parents sees good moments from both, and David Harbour as his mentor keeps the tale grounded. The whole thing is of course an unashamed, impressive expensive feature-length advert for the game itself that is surprisingly entertaining and well-made, but it utilises all manner of filmic techniques and tricks to bring to life what is at its heart a classic sporting underdog story that actually became real.
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