SPEED RACER (Theatrical Release USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Speed Racer—great animation with live action—immediately catches the viewer off guard with dazzling colors quite out of the norm for movies. The story is concise, almost short, with very little scripting. There is no backstory to make sense of what is happening. Watch for John Goodman in the film. For full appreciation of the movie, read a plotline before you go. The film is one of those movies released before its time and will gather its value in future years.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Speed (Emile Hirsch) receives a series of opportunities to reveal the valuable qualities of integrity, honesty, loyalty to family, courage, and diligence to task when all chips are down.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Michael Lambert, and David Lane Seltzer for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Young Speed Racer (Nicholas Elia), MomSpeed (Susan Sarandon), Speed’s Teacher (Melissa Holroyd), Young Trixie (Ariel Winter), Rex Racer (Scott Porter), Everyman Announcer (Giancarlo Ganziano), Local Announcer (Peter Fernandez), and Harold Ledermann Announcer (Harvey Friedman).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film has substance, but despite the added benefit of wonderful cinematography, the movie just doesn’t POP like it should. It’s an interesting dive into speed racing, small companies versus large companies, and interaction between family members trying to keep small, family-owned businesses alive and well in well-funded, highly competitive markets. Watch for Paulie Litt as Spritle Racer. He has great future in creative acting if he chooses.

Video Critique Available :

Ben Meyers