Race, biopic of Olympic hero Jesse Owens, takes the safe route, says CBC's Eli Glasner

As Jesse Owens, the African-Americantrack-and-field superstarof the 1936 Berlin Olympics,Race star Stephan James radiates confidence.

Canadianup-and-comer Jamesand funnyman Jason Sudeikis,as Owens' unconventional coach, deliverstrong performances in the Stephen Hopkins film.

Unfortunately,Race feels like alustrous after-schoolspecial, sufferingfrom an uninspired treatment that favours a cozy,glossy look over gritty authenticity.

What also doesn't help is the sprawling script saddled with side stories:fromthe battle over whether to boycott an Olympics held in Nazi-ruled Germanyto a subplot about propaganda filmmakerLeni Riefenstahl, whose footage would become the groundbreakingdocOlympia.

In the end, Race is a little too obvious, says CBC's Eli Glasner.

Watchthe video above for Glasner'scompletereview.

RATING:3out of5 stars