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 Rated: PG
Much like The Golden Compass, the film is so packed with CGI that you could almost call it an animated feature. For those youngsters that like a lot of loud dizzying action from racing teams that do the impossible, this one’s for you. As for parents, never mind the repetitive storyline as your delight will be watching your children (or the young-at-heart "older" child) having a fun roller-coaster ride.
Following the death of the brother he idolized, the legendary Rex Racer (Porter), who wrecked in the most dangerous race ever devised, The Crucible, Speed Racer (Hirsch) sets out to be the best driver ever and has been proving it under the tutelage of his father Pops Racer (Goodman).
With his huge success has come offers from the competition to drive for them, especially the racing team headed by Royalton (Allam), its fanatical owner. Speed refuses to drive for Royalton who has been trying to manipulate the racing game for big profits. Upset that he cannot get Speed on his team, Royalton sets out to destroy the hot racing superstar by putting a million-dollar bounty on his head. When Speed finds out about races being fixed, he teams up with Racer X (Fox) in the death defying cross-country rally that took his brother’s life.
As writer/directors, the Wachowski Brothers (Matrix, V for Vendetta, Assassins) take a detour from adult mainstream to children’s fare with Speed Racer, a well known icon that has held up over the years as a TV cartoon.
Their live action and computer imaging flick depicting real people on a virtual car racing track, in high tech cars, and the death-defying racing is a credit to their wonderful imagination. But make no mistake -- this is a kid’s film through and through.
Unless you are a fan of the original TV series, love the mix of CGI animation and live action or just want to escape to something different, then you may want to avoid the loud, flashy and extremely colorful Speed Racer.
The acting in Speed Racer isn’t award winning, but I did like the way the filmmakers handled each of the characters in the film. Under the keen direction of the Wachowskis, Hirsch makes a great Speed Racer. He’s young, handsome and tough, just what the young teens love to watch.
I also liked Goodman, who plays the protective father that has built the super racing team since the birth of their first child. His loud and defensive delivery makes for a perfect Pops Racer. And I got a lot of laughs from Litt as Spittle, the youngest of the Racer clan who inadvertently gets hung up in all the action.Â
Starring: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox, Susan Sarandon, John GoodmanÂ
FINAL ANALYSIS: Speed Racer crosses the finish line a winner for youngsters and animaniacs.
This Reviewer's Rating:   4 / 5
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