Speed Racer

Synopsis

This action filled adventure, straight from the 1960s Japanese cartoon TV series Speed Racer, focuses on Speed (Emile Hirsch, Into The Wild) a young and gifted race car driver.  He is sought after by many promoters, but his loyalty to his family and high moral fiber leads him into various deadly racing situations. Speed breaths, and lives racing his entire life. He fears nothing on the track and competes only with the memory of his deceased brother Rex Racer (Matthew Fox, ABCs Lost) who taught Speed everything he knows. Speed’s only goal is to fulfill his brother’s legacy, bring down a crooked Industry and prove that racing isn’t fixed.

Review

Hold on to your arm rests because this movie, Speed Racer is like a constant rollercoaster ride at your local theme park. It’s intense energy, high voltage action and it’s time to bring out the glow sticks. Yes, there may be some scenes that are cheesy and comedic, but it fits. Yes, the movie has one-dimensional characters. Yes, the movie has a very basic, lack-luster script. Yes, there are some corny one-liners, and this movie is way too long. But, watching this flick made me feel like I took an ecstasy pill or something and I was ready to dance to the big bright colorful lights. 

This movie was created straight from the 1960’s animated TV series Speed Racer. I watched this little Japanese cartoon back in the 70’s. Yeah, the cartoon may be a little stiff with not much substance, but it was still good. The Mach 5 car in the cartoon looks exactly the same in this movie. Bravo to the Wachowski brothers for bringing this bright fluorescent vibrant movie. Pumping up the saturation to the colors was genius. These guys didn’t have much to work with, but they try to do the dayum thang. That’s what they do. What do you expect from the brothers who brought us The Matrix triology and V for Vendetta. You will either love this movie or hate it, but if you enjoyed the trailer, then I suggest going to see this flick because it stayed true to form with the trailer. You have to be open-minded about it. Just let yourself at least enjoy and take in the arcade candy colors. Who wouldn’t want to live in a world with pumped up tint?

Speed Racer is a great family film that can be watched by all. Kids would definitely like it because of the cool colors, action, and the cute funny scenes with Spritle (Paulie Little, Jersey Girl) and Chim Chim the intelligent monkey. That monkey is smarter than some humans. This movie should be put into the genre of Comedy too, because I was cracking up to some of the corniness, but you have to have a sense of humor. The cast was wonderful, but this film definitely didn’t showcase their acting abilities.  

I was truly entertained. I do feel to get the full effect, you must see it on a big screen.

My Rating ~ 3 Reels

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