Release Date:
Friday, May 9, 2008
Directed by: Larry and Andy Wachowski
The Skinny: In a candy-colored '50s-style vision of the future, the Racer family lives for no other reason than to build, modify, and race elaborate cars. Their golden-boy son, Speed (Emile Hirsch), finds himself battling corrupt Big Business execs who are out to fix races, while at the same time trying to redeem his family name in the shadow of his older brother Rex's ignominious death.
The Good: Christina Ricci. With her naturally anime-size eyes, she's the only actor who fits in this otherwise flat animated world. (Seriously, why even have actors?). Plus, she plays her character—Speed's girlfriend Trixie—with the appropriate level of winking campiness. Um, and the colors are purdy.
The Bad: Despite a big budget, this movie looks like it could have been made in the early '90s. Every scene (most of which is endless talking) feels like actors on a folding chair in an empty studio, unaware of anything going on around them. The race sequences have no perspective, leaving you unsure of what's going on, who's winning or losing, or what's at stake; it all feels like you're watching someone else play a video game. And we have no idea who this movie is for. Adults who grew up on Speed Racer will be bored by what is essentially a corny animated kid's movie, and kids won't sit for two and a half hours of what is mostly people TALKING ENDLESSLY.
Achievement Unlocked: At one point, Speed is introduced to his car's new modifications in the most Xbox-friendly way possible: "You see, Speed, you have to hit the A button for shield defense, B button for boosters, C button for buzz saws…," etc, etc. Seriously.
Theater, DVD, or TNT in Five Years? This movie will be used by people to calibrate their new HDTVs. That's about it.
The Skinny: In a candy-colored '50s-style vision of the future, the Racer family lives for no other reason than to build, modify, and race elaborate cars. Their golden-boy son, Speed (Emile Hirsch), finds himself battling corrupt Big Business execs who are out to fix races, while at the same time trying to redeem his family name in the shadow of his older brother Rex's ignominious death.
The Good: Christina Ricci. With her naturally anime-size eyes, she's the only actor who fits in this otherwise flat animated world. (Seriously, why even have actors?). Plus, she plays her character—Speed's girlfriend Trixie—with the appropriate level of winking campiness. Um, and the colors are purdy.
The Bad: Despite a big budget, this movie looks like it could have been made in the early '90s. Every scene (most of which is endless talking) feels like actors on a folding chair in an empty studio, unaware of anything going on around them. The race sequences have no perspective, leaving you unsure of what's going on, who's winning or losing, or what's at stake; it all feels like you're watching someone else play a video game. And we have no idea who this movie is for. Adults who grew up on Speed Racer will be bored by what is essentially a corny animated kid's movie, and kids won't sit for two and a half hours of what is mostly people TALKING ENDLESSLY.
Achievement Unlocked: At one point, Speed is introduced to his car's new modifications in the most Xbox-friendly way possible: "You see, Speed, you have to hit the A button for shield defense, B button for boosters, C button for buzz saws…," etc, etc. Seriously.
Theater, DVD, or TNT in Five Years? This movie will be used by people to calibrate their new HDTVs. That's about it.