Speed Racer: Movie Review
by Sanjuro | Published on May 11th, 2008, 1:06 pm | Arts
I have what is perhaps a very unique view of movies. I've been close enough to the "scene" and have been a part of how movies are made enough to have more than a little bit of a different standard than most when sitting as an audience member. To work, a film must bring the audience into the world it is trying to create. It must weave in all elements of story (like dialog and character) and the technical (like cinemaphotography and audio) into a perfect balance. In my book, if one of these things is missing the experience flops. This becomes even more difficult a balance when one has to toss "expectation" into the mix. Such as it has been recently, we have witnessed the technology finally reaching a point-and with new ideas being a less valuable commodity- where we inhabit the world of adaptation and remake. We are seeing films based on TV shows, cartoons, and remakes of older films pop up left and right. To reference Jurassic Park; not necessarily because we should but because we can. This summer alone we have an adaptation of a TV show, 3 Comic book heroes, a 15 year overdue serial sequel, an animated spin off of a sci-fi franchise, and (with Speed Racer), the 60's cartoon adaptation.
It should come as no surprise that I am usually 100 percent in agreement with most top movie critics. For example, I adored "No Country for Old Men" both on a technical and story level. It is simply a brilliant film and each viewing solidifies this. While adaptations like Transformers, Underdog, and Dukes of Hazzard flop uncontrollably on the pavement of creativity like some stinky fish in its death throws. Bit why is this? Usually its because in their zeal to be "marketable" these films are made by committee. "Do THIS to sell another Tshirt, do THAT to sell another toy." One starts to make concessions until the final product looses all identity and similarity to what made it special to begin with. Also I think it comes down the the filmmakers inability to be creative enough to account for the source material in the story they want to create. Thought, this often works as is demonstrated by Transformers. While loosing all identity it sells a hell of a lot of merchandise. But that said, for all its POP, there remains an empty feeling as one leaves the theater. There is barely reason to return to that world.
I went into Speed Racer knowing this. Being a fan as a kid, I wasn't even going to go. But probably for nothing more than morbid curiosity or to have a laugh at the ridiculousness of how they adapted it, I went anyway. Knowing the Wachowskis last films, I already wasn't expecting a lot from them aside from some basic entertainment. While I thought the Matrix was brilliant, I really didn't like the sequels that followed. And while I loved "V for Vendetta" as producers they really didn't 'direct' the film so I cant give them a lot of credit for it.
So anyway, we sat down to watch the movie as the digital projector cycled through its many Ads (who would want salad dressing at a movie??) and trailers (Do I care about a film coming out next summer?) and finally the film began.
To say this was the most fun I've had in a theater in years is the understatement of the decade. This is not a film ladies and gentlemen, its an experience. This is a unbelievably sweet family story set in a future-esque racing adventure. I think it was almost flawless. For 2 hours I was transported into this magical world the Wachowskis weaved and I had no desire to leave after the last credit rolled. I had the fortune of seeing this with an audience, and it just added to the fun. The kids there were REALLY into this picture. The adults were REALLY into this picture. Truly entertainment for all ages.
First, lets talk nuts and bolts. The cast is brilliant. Emile Hirsch IS Speed Racer. Matthew Fox IS RACER X. Paulie Litt as Spritle is simply hilarious, and his bits with Chim Chim (A real life Chimp) are very very good. Christina Ricci as Trixie (with her 'made for anime' big round eyes) somehow mixes a tremendous amount of sexy into the innocent and sweet "romance" with Speed. I use quotation marks because its not the kind of romance you find in films these days. It harkend back to the on screen romances of the 40's. It was playful, innocent, and tremendous fun to watch (to Spritle's lament).
Susan Sarandon as Mom Racer and John Goodman as Pops Racer are the anchors of the film and bring an unexpected deepness to the picture. As stylized as this film is, all the actors treated their roles with seriousness. Of them all, John Goodman was a powerhouse. Like so much of Speed Racer, I cant really describe it, its something that must be experienced. This is the most well cast adaptation ever.
The story is told though brilliant and perhaps groundbreaking editing, seamlessly blending flashback into narrative and exposition flows without notice. I don't want to get too bogged down in the details, but its one of the most technically brilliant films I've seen in years. I cant imagine how much work went into making this all flow.
It is glaringly obvious that the Wachowskis are in mad love with the source material. This is an anime film come to life. Every bit of Speed Racer is there. The imagery, the style, the characterization, the music, NINJAS, and even a bit of the tongue in cheek dialogue: "Inspector Detector suspects foul play". There are moments that remind you of 2001, Akira, Its a Wonderful Life, and Star Wars. Above all, of course, there is the Mach 5. The Wachowskis had the great sense not to screw with this car, or the formula of the family.
There are people that wont get this movie. Just as there are people who wont be able to keep up with the fast moving imagery and story flow. That is a shame. I am quite saddened at the box office returns this weekend. A lot of critics didn't like this film and I think it had an impact. From the reviews, I think they were expecting a dark gritty and more adult Speed Racer. Part of me thinks this is because they have been trained for this to be the rule of the modern adaptation. How anyone would want more from Speed Racer is beyond me. This movie was tremendous fun, well executed and very "Capra-esque". Love and respect and knowing yourself is what this film is about.
Thinking that something was wrong with me, or that I had lost my 'touch', I phoned a lot of my film buddies and regular joes after seeing this movie for their take on it. Everyone I spoke with loved this as much as I did.
So, now the soundtrack is in my possession, and I will be seeing this movie again very soon. Perhaps on IMAX. If you go, I would suggest checking this out on a digital screen like at the Carmike 18 (locally). I doubt you'll be disappointed. I saw Iron man this week too, that was pretty good. But I think Speed far outshines it.
For a couple of hours I was transported to childhood. Thanks to the Wachowskis I was able to let myself have fun again. How does one take a 60's cartoon and modernize it, while leaving in all the things that make it great? I just don't know. They managed to, and threw in a healthy dose of heart as well. The movie really, really works.
And in some ways, 
