Speed Racer

Will a significantly younger demographic be more appreciative of the Wachowski’s fading talents?

DETAILS:
Released - 9 May 2008
Certificate - PG
Running Time - 134min
Directors - Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski
Screenwriters - Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski from the original cartoon by Tatsuo Yoshida
Producers -Grant Hill, Joel Silver, Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski
Cinematography -David Tattersall
Editing - Roger Barton and Zach Staenberg
Music - Michael Giacchino
Theatrical distributor - Warner Bros
Country - USA


SYNOPSIS:
Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is a natural behind the wheel of a fast car. His aspiration in life is to win the hotly contested crucible cup and live up to his tragically dead brother Rex (Scott Porter) and his successful legacy. True to his parents, Pops Racer (John Goodman) and Mom Racer (Susan Sarandon), Speed decides to turn down a more than tempting offer from the corrupt Royalton Industries in order to support his families business. By refusing to represent Royalton industries on the track Arnold Royalton himself (Roger Allam) vows he will do everything to hinder Speed’s chances at winning the Crucible. With support from his loyal girlfriend (Christina Ricci) Speed decides to team up with his rival Racer X (Matthew Fox) to beat Royalton at his own game, win the cup, boost his families business and end the corruption in racing once and for all!


REVIEW (My letter read out on Mayo and Kermode's Film Reviews, BBC Radio 5 Live):

Dear Sonny and Cher,

Has the good doctor become nostalgically deluded in his old age? Having recently seen Speed Racer I was appalled by the Wachowski brother’s inability to engage with an audience. An entire film cannot be carried by its ‘extraordinary design level’ it still needs a gripping plot and likeable characters to enhance the experience. How can you say such a storyline is irrelevant? This is precisely what separates the art of cinema from video-games. As a theme park ride Speed Racer would be vaguely entertaining, but as a film it is wishy washy, zip zang nonsense. Any self respecting child will look beyond this flashy direction and be bored at its lack of substance. Visually striking it may be, but it is nevertheless instantly forgettable. Perhaps Mr. Mayo should employ the doc’s son to review children’s films in future rather than allowing him to embarrassingly attempt to channel his own inner child.

This so-called hallucinogenic spectacle has somehow hypnotised the good doctor and burned away his retinas as he is too blinded to see the sold-out filmmakers that hide beneath.

Ben Lamb from Hull


TO SUM UP:
The Matrix sequels were overcomplicated nonsense, V for Vendetta was too dull and Speed Racer is far too simple and dumbed down. The Wachowskis desperately need to find the correct balance between substance and action even if they are making films for children. Promoting family values to youngsters is admirable but the messages will go 'wooosch' over their heads in amongst the tedious and repetitive action sequences. Overall a passively entertaining film for children and I think it was admirable of Mark Kermode to admit he was wrong on this occasion.