Race Against Time (2003)

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 was a little dubious before I watched this film, as I have been let down by many TV movies in the past. But, as the story opened, I was drawn in and the pace of the film was well balanced. Roberts was a believable and likeable, and Wynter became more attractive as the film went on! Yes, the CGI was a little over done, but all in all considering that this is just a movie for TV, it was a damn sight more entertaining than many modern massive budget films.

This was an enjoyable action packed movie. The hospital scene with Roberts and his son (played by Daniel Magder) was touching. The caring and emotion between father a son was well acted and scripted. Although Magder's part was relatively small his relationship with his father was an integral part of the film. I was kept on the edge of my seat throughout the movie. This film scores high on my list.