Anime made live
Chrijeff | Scranton, PA | 08/20/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Many critics seem to think this neon-bright movie overdone, but I found it exciting, fast-moving, and not at all difficult to follow. Based upon the early "Japanimation" TV series Speed Racer: The Complete Classic Series Collection, one of the first examples of anime ever to be seen in the U.S., it's the story of a family that overcomes loss, corporate shenanigans, and the limitations of time and flesh to ultimately come home in triumph. Young Speed (Emile Hirsch) is the son of independent race-car designer Pops Racer (John Goodman) and his wife (Sisan Sarandon); he grew up idolizing his older brother Rex (Scott Porter), who was supposedly killed in a racing accident some 10 years ago, and never wanted anything but to be just as good a driver himself. When a wealthy industrialist (Roger Allam) whose fuel cells drive every car, plane, and helicopter in the world offers him a tempting package to race exclusively for his stable, Speed hesitates, but in the end he realizes he has to stay independent, as his father and brother did. With the help of his parents, their mechanic Sparky (Kick Gurry), his food-loving little brother Spritle (Paulie Litt), the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox) who he suspects may be Rex, and his girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci), a daring helicopter pilot, he takes part first in a gruelling team road race, then in a defining "stunt" race where all bets, and gloves, are off as the unscrupulous Royalton angles for the wealth and power that his team's victory will bring him. Dazzling special effects, imaginative cars, nasty villains (there are some scary bits), and the leavening effect of family love and loyalty blend into a strangely satisfying whole that kids should find entrancing and even grownups may like more than they thought they would."
Psychedelic fun for the whole family.
Indian Prairie Public Library | Darien, IL | 10/01/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Based on the animated TV series, Speed Racer may start out slow, but it soon becomes engrossing. Race car driver Speed Racer (Emilie Hirsch) loves driving - it's in his blood (and it's the family business). When he makes it to the big leagues, Speed learns about the dark side of the sport that took the life of his older brother.
Costarring Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and Matthew Fox, Speed Racer is psychedelic fun for the whole family."
Can't Wait for the Sequel
MissingNoFingers | 08/15/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great movie to watch and awesome way to demo 1080P to your friends. Fast changing images and colors, lots of depth and nice plot done in the Wachowski Brother's style! Imagination, suspense, action, funny, and intense. A+++++++++++++++++++++"