MANILA, Philippines—Get ready to witness the inspirational underdog sports tale Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story, chronicling the journey of a real gamer-turned-racecar driver. Sneak preview screenings will take place at regular admission prices in cinemas nationwide on Monday, August 21, and Tuesday, August 22. Be among the first to experience the film a week ahead of its official run, starting August 30.
The narrative follows Jann Mardenborough, a Gran Turismo player who transformed his gaming skills into a remarkable story by winning Nissan competitions and becoming a professional racecar driver. Starring David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, and Archie Madekwe as Mardenborough, the film is set to captivate audiences with its compelling narrative.
Image Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
Early fan screenings in the U.S. have generated overwhelmingly positive reactions, even from those unfamiliar with gaming or racing. Audiences have praised the immersive cinematic experience, urging friends to catch the film on the big screen in a packed theater.
Darrell Fair exclaimed on Twitter/X, “#GranTurismoMovie was absolutely fantastic! The whole theater screamed and cheered the whole film.”
Cristy Velasquez posted, “#GranTurismoMovie just finished watching Gran Turismo and OMG it was AMAZING!! I was at the edge of my seat. I will definitely be watching this again.”
Image Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
Grant Skoog showered praise on nearly every aspect of the film, stating, “Blomkamp’s #GranTurismo is inspirational, emotional, thrilling, & riveting. Incredible Action! Phenomenal Acting, The moving Score, fast-paced Editing, & gorgeous Cinematography, made this one of the best theater experiences. I was on the edge of my seat. 9/10 #GranTurismoMovie.”
Critics have joined the chorus of praise for the film. According to Variety, “‘Gran Turismo,’ Blomkamp’s triumphant return after eight years, stands out as his finest work. Infused with a spontaneous humanistic grace, the movie’s narrative is uniquely shaped by its masterful racing sequences.”
Indiewire ecstatically hails “Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story” as “an electrifying reimagining of one of the most astonishing tales in recent sports history, impeccably filmed with the level of grandeur demanded by the source material. Blomkamp may have just directed the decade’s most captivating 90-minute sports film.”
Image Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
ComingSoon.net echoes the praise, dubbing the film “a heart-pounding delight of the year with an iconic underdog narrative that hits all the right notes.”
For enthusiasts of compelling underdog stories, “Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story” is a must-watch, arriving in Philippine cinemas on August 30. Don’t miss the sneak preview screenings at regular admission prices, happening nationwide on Monday, August 21, and Tuesday, August 22.