"Autobahnraser" or "Porta Westfalica" or "A2 Racer" is a German movie from 2004, so this one is already way over a decade old. The director is Canadian filmmaker Michael Keusch, who is mostly known for his collaborations with Steven Seagal. The script of this one is by Kulzer and Weigel and looking at their bodies of work, it is not too surprising this did not turn out very well. It is slightly shorter than 1.5 hours and the cast here features a whole lot of actors and actresses who were mostly known back then (and are now) for their performances in German daily soaps. So yeah, you basically know what to expect now. And those cast members who did not appear in the likes of GZSZ or Marienhof do not have exactly great films in their body of work. And as the title is not exactly promising either (sounds like a Manta movie), I was expecting the worst of the worst. It did not turn out that bad really. The film's strength is that it does not really take itself seriously at all and as a consequence some scenes were actually fun to watch. Yes the cast wasn't good, but at least the girls were kinda hot and this actually applies to almost all of those with more than 10 seconds screen time. The story about car racing (and the incompetent police trying to stop them) is of course as absurd as it gets and it is never working out from an authentic perspective. But like I already wrote in the title, this one can actually be appreciated as a bit of a guilty pleasure movie. But honestly, this is the only approach really and that's why I give it a thumbs-down. Not recommended.
11 Reviews
Actually pretty enjoyable
fabian-fcs21 February 2004
Well this is one of these flicks where you don't expect that you will like them. I saw this film in the Sneak Preview and and had a good time. Some people say this movie is a Fast and Furious rip-off (especially this pretty stupid Sechriwa) because of the story and the main topic of young people driving around in cars, but hey: FaF also wasnt original. Plus FaF bored me to death because those bad ass all american street racers where way too serious all the time. Autobahnraser makes fun of itself and the production standarts can easily compete with FaF, even though its just a third of the budget.
Probably the worst movie ever
sechriwa16 February 2004
I am ashamed to be German - with this movie, it's official. This wannabe-rip-off "Fast and Furious" movie about fast cars and the German high ways ("Autobahnen") is horrible, awful, disastrous, boring and ridiculous. The characters seem to come directly from TV soap operas, there is absolutely no merely intelligent dialogue and the director seems to be replaced by a computer - the scenes were cut arbitrarily, acting is miserable and the plot is foreseeable and just plain stupid. I'm sure (and sad) that this film will find its audience in Germany (like Fast and Furious found its audience in the US - but Fast and Furious nevertheless had some style): the uneducated "lads" who firmly believe that their car is the artificial extension of their dick. Horrible movie, avoid at all costs.
Avoid at all cost
ElizaRomualdez4 March 2004
This film is great for TV, ProSieben in Germany or RTL II, but the big screen - get over it, it's a waste of time and money. The story is way too predictable. Directing, please give us a break. Why is a film like this being so pushed by the press and the distribution company - avoid at all cost, otherwise you may think that all German comedys are stinkers like this piece of cinematic c***. Usually when the producers mother, Miss. Iris Berben, isn't in a film by her son, the moovie is a failure. I think Constantin Film, the German distributer has to watch out, what their portfolio is gonna look like in a couple of years - I mean stuff like this is not going to work on VIDEO and DVD. But it will have great ratings on RTL II.
Dumb, simple, ridiculous, but lovable.
andrejvasiljevic27 January 2010
I saw this title a couple days a go on Austrian TV and I did like it a lot. As a matter of fact I gave it 10 whole points, and there is a good reason for that.
All those who say Autobahnraser is simple, dull and shallow are 100% right. It is all those things. But I don't see why wouldn't it be? It's a teen comedy with cool cars and fast idiotic driving. You really don't need things like acting, drama and a complex story in such an arrangement. It would just spoil the simple fun.
However, the main reason why I loved Autobahnraser so much is the appearance of my beloved 2002. I have one, I love it and I like seeing it in movies, especially if there's fast driving involved. That's it - 10 subjective points from me :D
Even so, with all it's shallowness, Autobahnraser has more depth than Avatar, for instance...
All those who say Autobahnraser is simple, dull and shallow are 100% right. It is all those things. But I don't see why wouldn't it be? It's a teen comedy with cool cars and fast idiotic driving. You really don't need things like acting, drama and a complex story in such an arrangement. It would just spoil the simple fun.
However, the main reason why I loved Autobahnraser so much is the appearance of my beloved 2002. I have one, I love it and I like seeing it in movies, especially if there's fast driving involved. That's it - 10 subjective points from me :D
Even so, with all it's shallowness, Autobahnraser has more depth than Avatar, for instance...
Autobahn races!
Cristi_Ciopron31 August 2006
Funny,interesting,sprightly,extremely enjoyable,hugely amusing,colorful comedy about Autobahn races.The actors are all young and comely.I am a fan of this flick.I can't say how much I enjoyed this independent and ingenious comedy.Some don't like it;well,it was not made for them,that's all.
The photography is excellent,the colors are delicious.Some fine women (Alexandra Neldel,Henriette Richter-Röhl,Ivonne Schönherr).Beautiful cars,clean and lustrous.
This gag-based movie combines comedy and adventure,it's easy and savor.It has gusto,dynamism,a good pace.The comic is trashy,startling and pleasing.Campy acting,and no fake pretenses.
The humor is unhesitating and unmerciful,but it never gets dirty or insulting.Autobahnraser is made with a trashy frankness,without delusions.
The photography is excellent,the colors are delicious.Some fine women (Alexandra Neldel,Henriette Richter-Röhl,Ivonne Schönherr).Beautiful cars,clean and lustrous.
This gag-based movie combines comedy and adventure,it's easy and savor.It has gusto,dynamism,a good pace.The comic is trashy,startling and pleasing.Campy acting,and no fake pretenses.
The humor is unhesitating and unmerciful,but it never gets dirty or insulting.Autobahnraser is made with a trashy frankness,without delusions.
View from the South
warchylde-19 February 2006
For all of you who gave negative remarks about this movie get a life - the intended genre of the movie is not the same as need for speed underground at all. This was a nice relaxing comedy - not supposed to be action!!! I found the quip and jokes they made perfect as a lot of the comedies these days the directors and producers always want to go over the top and the movies end up being stupid. This is definitely not one of them. I might only be a Namibian German but I am not ashamed of my heritage like one of the other people that commented. I would suggest this movie to anyone who just wants to relax a little with very little violence and just light comedy - Enjoy it for what it is!!!!
Very good movie
rudolf-1020 February 2004
Having actually seen the move (unlike some)...
This is a *fun* movie. I can recommend it to everybody.
The cast is young and brilliant. The pace is high and the story is fun. With many twists this is a very nice movie.
Go see it!
This is a *fun* movie. I can recommend it to everybody.
The cast is young and brilliant. The pace is high and the story is fun. With many twists this is a very nice movie.
Go see it!
A lot better than Fast and the Furious!!!
imdb-392726 June 2004
Those people who say this is a bad movie, are wrong...
I have seen this film 4 times in 5 days, and I will go and see it at least another 4 times!!!
The main difference between A2Racer (alternative title for Autobahnraser) and Fast&Furious is HUMOR!!!!! Not only we get fast and beautiful cars, we get a large amount of jokes and funny situations as well!! That is what I missed from Fast&Furious...
The plot itself is quite simple, but these movies are not about the story, they are about cars. And girls, of course. And you can see a lot of beautiful girls in this movie!!!! Also the action sequences are very well done... I only felt sorry for those cars they have broken... but fortunately the Police Porsche survived!! :-)
Anyway, I think the German did a great job, and this movie will always have a place among my favorites!! :-)
I have seen this film 4 times in 5 days, and I will go and see it at least another 4 times!!!
The main difference between A2Racer (alternative title for Autobahnraser) and Fast&Furious is HUMOR!!!!! Not only we get fast and beautiful cars, we get a large amount of jokes and funny situations as well!! That is what I missed from Fast&Furious...
The plot itself is quite simple, but these movies are not about the story, they are about cars. And girls, of course. And you can see a lot of beautiful girls in this movie!!!! Also the action sequences are very well done... I only felt sorry for those cars they have broken... but fortunately the Police Porsche survived!! :-)
Anyway, I think the German did a great job, and this movie will always have a place among my favorites!! :-)
Stupid, but in a funny way... if you love cars!
Marcus TLKing15 March 2004
Summary: I liked it. Beware! Don't watch this movie, if you look for a great "movie-experience". This movie is mindless and poorly executed from an artistic point of view. The plot is just outrageously badly developed. BUT if you have a "need for speed" in real life and are a car-enthusiast, you might at least be able to relate to the joy the cast manages to convey when they speed on German "autobahns" (probably the only thing they manage in this movie). If you don't expect subtle humour and a brilliant storyline, but look at the movie as what it was meant to be in the first-place - a stunt-, action- and car-focused no-brainer - you might be able to really enjoy this one. I sure did. Again: you should really enjoy cars and speeding (and don't fall into the stereotype of "souped-up car"="dick-replacement"), otherwise you'll probably really think of this as one of the worst movies ever.
I personally give it a 7/10 for the good feeling and laughs (partially probably unintended by the filmmakers though).
BTW: How the production company could launch this one, just when there was a major uproar about a so-called "Speeder-Trial" in German media (a young mother and her child were killed) remains a complete mystery to me and really gives me second thoughts about the producer's intellectual capabilities.
I personally give it a 7/10 for the good feeling and laughs (partially probably unintended by the filmmakers though).
BTW: How the production company could launch this one, just when there was a major uproar about a so-called "Speeder-Trial" in German media (a young mother and her child were killed) remains a complete mystery to me and really gives me second thoughts about the producer's intellectual capabilities.
maybe a parody?
waterpowers4 November 2006
well, this is no German remake of fast and furious - it is the German thought on fast and furious, a parody rather than a remake. and i had a great laugh watching it.
my most favorite part is when the old lady brakes hard because of all the 'autobahnraser' overtaking her, and her choppers fall out of her mouth in slow-motion, biting into the stirring wheel! wow, what an effect!
i loved the movie. real car stunts Made In Germany, no boring computer effects! good stuntmen, good joke ideas, unexpected situations! worth watching it!
my most favorite part is when the old lady brakes hard because of all the 'autobahnraser' overtaking her, and her choppers fall out of her mouth in slow-motion, biting into the stirring wheel! wow, what an effect!
i loved the movie. real car stunts Made In Germany, no boring computer effects! good stuntmen, good joke ideas, unexpected situations! worth watching it!
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