Jason KingSpeed Racer (2008)
June 12th 2008 09:46
Speed Racer (2008) $14-
I think I might be the only person in the world who actually LOVES this film. I respond best in real life situations with visuals - sitting in school and hearing teachers ramble on put me to sleep - but when they showed me things I would respond. And visual this film is, probably the most visually festive film ever made. It's a massive kaleidoscope of colorful wonder.
Based on the 1960s Japanese-manga-derived animated TV series of the same name, SPEED RACER follows the adventures of the title character (Emile Hirsch), a young race car driver who sits behind the wheel of the lightning-fast Mach 5 vehicle. Aided by his family, which includes Pops Racer (John Goodman) and Mom Racer (Susan Sarandon), and his devoted doe-eyed girlfriend, Trixie (Christina Ricci), Speed racks up victory after victory, but still lives in the shadow of his late older brother, Rex (Scott Porter), who died in a race. When Speed garners the wrath of Royalton Industries, he must team up with the enigmatic Racer X (Matthew Fox) to defeat the ruthless corporation. Written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, the masterminds behind the MATRIX films, SPEED RACER replaces the gritty techno patina of that blockbuster series with a polished, brightly hued virtual reality. Though the eye-popping visuals threaten to eclipse the acting, the fine cast gamely makes the most of their green-screen environment, particularly the likable Hirsch, who won acclaim for his decidedly different INTO THE WILD role, and LOST's, Fox. Adding to the movie's giddy mood are Paulie Litt and his chimp companion, who provide comic relief as Speed's playful younger brother, Spritle, and Chim Chim.
It has the Dick Tracy (movie) styling of bold colors but takes it to the next level. 90% of the film was shot on a green screen and the actors are brilliant considering they had no external stimulation. You are pretty much watching a CGI cartoon with actors in it. Emile Hirsch is THE perfect Speed Racer, he must have shaved every few hours - that skin is so so smooth. He is so incredibly good looking that you can notice him amid the wash of color. He alone should have been enough to draw more than sufficient money to make this film successful. So why has it failed on a massive level worldwide. I found it too adult for children although the colors will be enough for them maintain interest. I found it too child for adult. It's WAY too long at 134 minutes. This is enough to give people a headache at all the colors although personally I fell in love with the color of this film. I know a lot of people around the world hate this film but I think they missed what it achieved as a groundbreaking CGI field furthering movie and a perfect remake of a cartoon. I myself remember watching when a LOT younger.
While I enjoyed the story immensely - it is not a huge indent on the plot factor but neither was the cartoon. It is what it is. Hirsch is great, Fox is cast well, Christina Ricci IS TRIXIE, Speed's parents John Goodman and Susan Sarandon are strength in the film and bring their wisdom of years of acting to the cast. I also really enjoyed Roger Allam's performance as E. P. Arnold Royalton - the evil dude. I don't know if Speed's younger brother even needed to be in the film and why did he have a chimp as a constant companion?
The The Wachowski Brothers spent over $100,000000 making this experimental film and while it may fail at the box office I am pretty sure it will become a timeless cult classic. While completely irrelevant I thought interesting news. The Wachowski brothers are now brother and sister after Larry has now become a woman known as Lana. They have interesting lives so of course their films are going to be interesting. I knew they made The Matrix films - everyone knows that but did you also know they made Assassins (with Stallone and Banderas), V for Vendetta, and an old fave of mine Bound (with Gina Gershon). That's cool.
Don't blame me if you watch this and are one of the 63% of the world who supposedly dislikes this film. I found it an achievement of award winning cinematic innovations. I was jumping out of my seat, yelling to Speed, even laughing and fist pumping when Speed downs his congratulatory bottle of milk as opposed to champagne. I also welled up a bit at Mom Racer's cheesy talk to her son of how proud she is. I did laugh a fair bit at some gold one liners, "hubba hubba", and say the word WOW quite a few times at the cinematography. I liked this one so much I will be buying it on DVD as soon as it's released. Campy visual delights. I could watch this over and over on the plasma. It has its flaws but look at what it is people. Would not recommend viewing on acid. Worth $14-
I think I might be the only person in the world who actually LOVES this film. I respond best in real life situations with visuals - sitting in school and hearing teachers ramble on put me to sleep - but when they showed me things I would respond. And visual this film is, probably the most visually festive film ever made. It's a massive kaleidoscope of colorful wonder.
Based on the 1960s Japanese-manga-derived animated TV series of the same name, SPEED RACER follows the adventures of the title character (Emile Hirsch), a young race car driver who sits behind the wheel of the lightning-fast Mach 5 vehicle. Aided by his family, which includes Pops Racer (John Goodman) and Mom Racer (Susan Sarandon), and his devoted doe-eyed girlfriend, Trixie (Christina Ricci), Speed racks up victory after victory, but still lives in the shadow of his late older brother, Rex (Scott Porter), who died in a race. When Speed garners the wrath of Royalton Industries, he must team up with the enigmatic Racer X (Matthew Fox) to defeat the ruthless corporation. Written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, the masterminds behind the MATRIX films, SPEED RACER replaces the gritty techno patina of that blockbuster series with a polished, brightly hued virtual reality. Though the eye-popping visuals threaten to eclipse the acting, the fine cast gamely makes the most of their green-screen environment, particularly the likable Hirsch, who won acclaim for his decidedly different INTO THE WILD role, and LOST's, Fox. Adding to the movie's giddy mood are Paulie Litt and his chimp companion, who provide comic relief as Speed's playful younger brother, Spritle, and Chim Chim.
It has the Dick Tracy (movie) styling of bold colors but takes it to the next level. 90% of the film was shot on a green screen and the actors are brilliant considering they had no external stimulation. You are pretty much watching a CGI cartoon with actors in it. Emile Hirsch is THE perfect Speed Racer, he must have shaved every few hours - that skin is so so smooth. He is so incredibly good looking that you can notice him amid the wash of color. He alone should have been enough to draw more than sufficient money to make this film successful. So why has it failed on a massive level worldwide. I found it too adult for children although the colors will be enough for them maintain interest. I found it too child for adult. It's WAY too long at 134 minutes. This is enough to give people a headache at all the colors although personally I fell in love with the color of this film. I know a lot of people around the world hate this film but I think they missed what it achieved as a groundbreaking CGI field furthering movie and a perfect remake of a cartoon. I myself remember watching when a LOT younger.
While I enjoyed the story immensely - it is not a huge indent on the plot factor but neither was the cartoon. It is what it is. Hirsch is great, Fox is cast well, Christina Ricci IS TRIXIE, Speed's parents John Goodman and Susan Sarandon are strength in the film and bring their wisdom of years of acting to the cast. I also really enjoyed Roger Allam's performance as E. P. Arnold Royalton - the evil dude. I don't know if Speed's younger brother even needed to be in the film and why did he have a chimp as a constant companion?
The The Wachowski Brothers spent over $100,000000 making this experimental film and while it may fail at the box office I am pretty sure it will become a timeless cult classic. While completely irrelevant I thought interesting news. The Wachowski brothers are now brother and sister after Larry has now become a woman known as Lana. They have interesting lives so of course their films are going to be interesting. I knew they made The Matrix films - everyone knows that but did you also know they made Assassins (with Stallone and Banderas), V for Vendetta, and an old fave of mine Bound (with Gina Gershon). That's cool.
Don't blame me if you watch this and are one of the 63% of the world who supposedly dislikes this film. I found it an achievement of award winning cinematic innovations. I was jumping out of my seat, yelling to Speed, even laughing and fist pumping when Speed downs his congratulatory bottle of milk as opposed to champagne. I also welled up a bit at Mom Racer's cheesy talk to her son of how proud she is. I did laugh a fair bit at some gold one liners, "hubba hubba", and say the word WOW quite a few times at the cinematography. I liked this one so much I will be buying it on DVD as soon as it's released. Campy visual delights. I could watch this over and over on the plasma. It has its flaws but look at what it is people. Would not recommend viewing on acid. Worth $14-
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Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
Great review Jason!
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
The 2nd and 3rd Matrix films were the absolute pits for me, I hate them with a passion.
It's very prejudiced of me I know but I just can't imagine ever watching Speed Racer. From the previews I've seen the action scenes look like a 6 year old's crayons bleeding out.................and into my brain! (;
Comment by Rix
Comment by Jason King
Salty Popcorn
I understand David. The brothers pissed me off with Matrix 2 and 3 but I just loved this. Maybe check it out in a year or two on DVD. I just love it for what it is.
And thanks as always Sammy!!