Race (2016)

"Race" stars Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Irons, and William Hurt. Released on February 19, 2016, the film has Jesse Owens overcoming adversity to compete in the 1936 Olympics.

The film is directed by Stephen Hopkins, who also directed films such as Judgment Night, Blown Away, and The Reaping. It is a biopic about Jesse Owens' accomplishments, such as winning a record-breaking four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. I haven't really heard of Owens until I realized that they're making a biopic about him. Since this month is Black History Month, I decided to spend the weekend with my sister by taking her to see this film. All I can say is that it's nice to learn some of its history, but like the other sports biopics, it does have its flaws.

Pros:
The performances were really good, including Stephan James as Jesse Owens.

The screenplay was decent.

Supportive themes about determination and race.

Cons:
A few moments felt a bit rushed or forced.

Little to no emotional depth.

The story felt formulaic.
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Final thoughts: While it doesn't obtain its world record in terms of story and pacing, "Race" is still a respectable biopic due to its performances and themes. Like the other biopics that feature famous African-Americans, this film did a good job showcasing Owens' hard work and accomplishments despite the racial tensions from other people. If you're a fan of these types of biopics, it's worth a watch.

C+