ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 23, 1996 TAG: 9603270013
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 10 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW
SOURCE: DOUG HAMILTON COX NEWS SERVICE
We've seen underdogs race to glory in movies before, from the bicycling Cutters in ``Breaking Away,'' to the bobsledding Jamaicans in ``Cool Runnings.'' ``Race the Sun'' follows a ragtag group of Hawaiian kids as they build a solar-powered car and enter it in Australia's World Solar Challenge. Until someone makes a movie about a paddle boat relay, this may stand as the least engrossing race in film history.
Imagine squat, roach-shaped vehicles gliding silently at tandem-bike speeds, often sputtering and stalling because of cloud cover. Still awake? OK, imagine following them from one side of Australia to the other.
Worse, the movie lets us know in its last half that the kids have no chance of winning - the best they can do is finish third. Based on the true story of a team of high school students who competed in the Challenge in 1990, ``Race the Sun'' isn't about going for the gold. It's about self-esteem and accomplishment, darn it. Yawn.
Despite the thrill-inhibiting premise, the movie has modest charms. The kids are fresh and engaging, especially J. Moki Cho as Gilbert, a shy, overweight computer whiz. Also good is Casey Affleck as Daniel, a Caucasian student who must win the respect of the island youths.
Dave Justice's ex- to-be, Halle Berry, plays the kids' teacher and chaperone, Sandra Beecher. After a breakout performance as a drug addicted mom in last year's ``Losing Isaiah,'' Berry seems to have retreated into less demanding roles. Both here and as a flight attendant in peril in the new Kurt Russell thriller ``Executive Decision,'' she doesn't stray beyond her patented perkiness.
The script, written by Oscar co-winner Barry Morrow (``Rain Man''), stretches credulity as it pits the students against - get this - evil solar power executives and contrives to get Gilbert behind the wheel for that last heartbreak hill before the finish line. It's hard not to feel inspired when the sun buggy wobbles under the checkered flag, but your reaction may be more along the lines of ``how nice for them'' than ``USA! USA!''
Race the Sun * 1/2
A TriStar picture showing at Tanglewood Mal. Rated PG.|
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Halle Berry and James Belushi star in ``Race the Sun.''by CNBcolor.