SPEED RACER

Directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski
Starring: Emil Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon

Growing up, there were 3 cartoons that blew me away as a kid. Toons so original in style and content that they haunted me day and night and any chance to view these cartoons resulting in dropping whatever else was going on and/or making my parents late for wherever we were going. These toons were Jonny Quest, Robotech, and Speed Racer. With fond memories of being glued to the tube Sunday mornings while the fam scrambled to get dressed for church, the Dominator and I went to a sneak preview screening of Speed Racer on last Saturday morning.


I'm gonna scream this so everyone understands. SPEED RACER IS A KIDS MOVIE! Don't expect the Matrix. Anyone who clubs this movie is a freakin' idiot. This was not made to win Oscars (though vizFX and sound editing wins could be possible) and not made for stuffy adult film critics to gush over. It was made so a five year old could understand it. I realized this during the film as the Dominator was bouncing out of his seat, laughing and having plenty of "wow" moments. The good guys are good, the bad are bad. The family business stays together and takes on the evil corporation. And all you have to do is win the race. It doesn't break down any simpler.


Those prone to seizures, vertigo, heart palpitations and pregnant women should not watch this movie. It's visually on another planet. It's as close to a cartoon come to life as ever made. Some people hate this. I say embrace it! There are even a few moments when the film departs reality and goes into full blown acid trip mode, but these are timed well to illicit either laughter or heightened anticipation from the audience. You've got to see this on the big screen, and it's probably even better on IMAX. The races take your breath away and though the action is fast and frantic, it's well thought out and shot in a way so that it's possible to comprehend what's going on, unlike some recent CGI smorgasbords (Transformers). There's also some good kung-fu fights and... wait for it... NINJAS!

It's a good cast, though not much is asked of Hirsch (Speed), who blew me away on Into the Wild. But Ricci (Trixie), Fox(Racer X), and Goodman(Pops) are picture perfect, as is the kid cast as Spritle and the real star of the film, Chim Chim the Chimp.


So, if you go see this, make sure you bring a kid or at least a kid at heart grown up. Prepare to relive some sixties-ish family values and Saturday morning fun. I'm by no means a "car guy" but even I couldn't resist being caught up in the action, the excitement, the spectacle... the Speed!


Movie Cheetah's Grade: B