DVD Review: Speed Racer
The Famous Japanimation Classic Comes to Big Screen Live Action
Oct 10, 2008
Essentially a fan's version of the original Japanese classic Mach GoGoGo, the Wachowski Brothers' version of Speed Racer isn't much different, as the directors basically drew directly from the most redundant elements of the cartoon namely races in the name of Team Racer, the titular racer's family team. Setting the film's storyline on a basic premise of having to win one important race that could define the family's future, Speed Racer offers some fascinating, breakneck speed visuals, but no real plot surprises.
Speed Racer Plot Synopsis
It is an undertermined time in the near future, and the greatest sport in the world is automobile racing. The independent Racer family, headed by seasoned car builder/mechanic Pops Racer (John Goodman), has had a great run in past races, and their eldest son Rex is headed for glory. That is, until Rex particpates in a dangerous race called Casa Cristo, which seemingly claims the life of the record-setting racer.
Haunted by the passing of his older brother, yet determined to live up to the promise of his ilk's potential, young Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch, doing what little he can with the role) is breaking records of his own, and soon catches the eye of ruthless yet incredibly well-to-do promoters, such as E.P. Royalton (Roger Allam, chewing up the scenery the Jeremy Irons' way). Royalton makes young Speed an offer he'd be hard pressed to refuse: the full support of the Royalton conglomerate, both technical and financial, and full sponsorship in future races, as he would join the existing pantheon of champion drivers.
When Speed refuses this appealing offer, Royalton threatens to bring down the other drivers upon him, looking to take him down, and his family's good name as well. An angry Speed calls upon the help of his girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci, well suited for the role), his mysterious racing rival Racer X (Lost's Matthew Fox), and of course his family, including the chimp Chim Chim.
What follows thereafter is an insane visual treat, which makes for either a very tempting video game concept, or one heck of a headache for viewers allergic to fast-paced imagery.
Overall Analysis of Speed Racer
It goes without saying that the moment the Wachowski Brothers' names were attached to this feature, that the audience would get what would possibly be the next-best rendition of the popular kinetic cartoon, short of seeing the actors on screen as animated beings themselves. By going for the overexagerrated backgrounds (all CGI, of course), Larry and Andy Wachowski appealed to the hardcore fans of the 60's cartoon, and still paid tribute to the minutiae of the series, such as the raceways, the intricate car gadgets, and the cars themselves, namely the Mach 5.
While the film is a visual treat, it leaves much to be desired story-wise. Granted, the series is about a kid who races and faces danger at every turn (ha ha), and yet prevails by the end credits (ha ha). True, not much can be made fron the show's concept, other than to attempt to delve into the main character's psyche. Unfortunately, as much as Emile Hirsch tries to emote out of his shell, he falls victim to the insane amount of blue and green screened visuals, which were obviously required for this ambitious project.
John Goodman and Susan Sarandon, as Pops and Mom Racer, have little more to do then run through the motions of typical parental guidance and acceptance, but there as well, you can feel these seasoned actors' unease against a computer generated background. Ditto for the film's comic relief, Paulie Litt, who plays the youngest Racer, Spritle.
The one actor who stands out in this film, ironically, is Matthew Fox. Despite playing the rival turned ally in the story, his screen presence has more charisma to it, than most of the cast put together. As we see his overall endgame through a montage at the end of the film, he almost seems to beg the audience to cry for a Racer X movie of his own. Sadly, it would fare better than this film.
Speed Racer Special Features
Fans of the Wachowski Brothers beware: The single disc release of the DVD doesn't provide any behind the scenes CGI magic as to the scenes on the screen. There is a short feature called "Spritle in the Big Leagues", which follows young actor Paulie Litt around some of the built sets. The other feature is a brief overview of each car featured in the film, replete with gadgets and schematics. That being said, neither of them truly add up to what would be expected from such a flaunted high-tech adventure as this one. For those features, one must upgrade to the Blu-Ray player, and buy the Blu-Ray copy.
7 out of 10, for awesome visuals, despite a marked lack of actor involvement
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