Speed Racer Feature Film

[Gkiller]

[Destroyer D]

[MouthForWar]

[bigknif]

[MouthForWar]

[MouthForWar]

[Destroyer D]

[king_ghidorah]

[Outkaster]

I know alot of people were walking out of it and just seemed to be squirming till it was over because of the length of the movie. I saw it for free but would not pay for it.

[Temjin]

I can understand Iron Man....but "What happens in Vegas"...AT number- f**ckin' 2?!?!?!?

The only reason I'm like that is because I just came back from that....and felt like slappin' somebody for my money back. Fun at the beginning, yes, but annoying as hell afterwards...kinda like a night in vegas....

Here's hoping Narnia sets it straight.

.....but it IS a shame that this goes to show you that america's not ready for a page-to-screen adaptation of a cartoon/anime......so we're gonna be forced to watch "realistic" americanizations for the rest of our free lives.

....or that people just didn't like this kind of racing movie.

....either way, I fear for the likes of Voltron, Casshern, and Kamen Rider.....though I'm keeping my hopes high for Gatchaman and Astro Boy from IMAGI.

[MouthForWar]

[Temjin]

Well, I speak for the latter behalf who DOES stand the movie as it is. Maybe it's because I'm sort of used to that kind of CG or those splatters of color tones. Most people I know who saw it liked it or thought it was okay, but NOT a failure.

Is it Daring? no. But coming from someone who's pretty much seen most of Speed Racer and the ups and downs the "mach go,go" franchise brought afterwards, this was a more than decent adaptation - far from perfect, yes, but MORE than decent. Each detail the Wachowskis put into it is a massive help, even if at times, they overdo it and cause the scene to look fake.

Maybe you haven't listened to these new moviegoers enough to understand what I meant - try it on a friday night with a bunch of teens, tweens, and yet-to-mature adults in a movie like this - I can tell you, at least in the theaters I've been to, their attention span and imagination's declining.

50% of the time, someone would whine about too much story, not enough action, too little special effects or too much special effects. For this one, believe it or not, the most I heard was "the story was too confusing" or "the cars looked fake", and just ONE person, as I sat there, checking myself for garbage stains, complained about the colors. Everyone praised the colors, especially during the final race, as the majority of the audience could be heard praising them(one kid actually yelled it out while the flag girl was there in the 2nd race, causing the crowd to laugh)

Now, if you want me to relate to not being able to look at a movie because of how it looks, there is one movie in particular that haunts me to this day - it's an animated movie with Matthew Broderick as the lead character called "Arabian Nights", a movie that TO THIS DAY I cannot watch without feeling nauseous, and getting a panic attack. I dunno why, except that the way it was animated, and the colors simply destroy my brain cells and shut down my nervous system. It's THAT bad. The movie, thankfully, was sent to the netherworld's garbage can and never seen or heard from again.....until some of these local cable stations used to put it on once in a blue moon to fill up their schedule.

So based on what I've seen so far, yeah, not all, not most, but the majority of moviegoing americans aren't ready for something like this....or hell, let me rephrase that:

HOLLYWOOD is not ready to properly, page-to-screen, adapt a cartoon, comic book, anime, or manga as they were envisioned by their creators. I understand for localization, updating, and style change(the spandex and such, but remember - realism is thrown out the window anyway. I don't think there should be too much sacrifice when adapting, or omission because it doesn't look right. The Wachowskis' took the cartoon, and put it on-screen in live action. THAT is what I find great about it.

Never mind 300, Sin City, X-Men and all those other comic book movies - those were americanized from the start. This was a japanese franchise brought to american theaters....so fo course, some things are gonna look wierd.

[H-Man]

[Gwangi]

I have this strange feeling about all of this. I, like many others, did not want to see this being done into a feature film, and especially by the Wachowski brothers. Regardless, it was done and released, but then seeing the very poor box-office, I actually felt bad for it, and in particular, when I did see it for myself and found it rather interesting! It’s like that one relative, who decides to do something on his or her own, against everyone else’s wishes, and when they did not succeed, or worse bomb at it, you actually feel bad.

I did find the movie interesting, despite all of its flaws. I guess the biggest fault is the somewhat muddled storyline, and if they were trying to market this to the young kids, then they probably would not understand all of it.

In trying to capture an anime-style world, I think the special effects here did their job (though it still does not make me a proponent of heavily used CGI). And the cast I think did a great job especially John Goodman as Pops and Matthew Fox as Racer X. And I guess this is my age talking, but I actually found Susan Sarandon’s Mom Racer more sexier than Christina Ricci’s Trixie!

[Destroyer D]

[Gwangi]

[MekaGojira3k]

Saw this last night, thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't enjoy it as much as Iron Man, and the CG didn't bother me all that much after watching a couple of segments of the race near the beginning. It sort of just clicked and worked in my mind. My girlfriend (who had never really touched the original Speed Racer cartoon) enjoyed it as well, though she said she would have liked it better if the CG had looked more realistic.

[H-Man]

[MechaMinya]

[MekaGojira3k]

[Destroyer D]

[Elliot Gay]

[Enshohma]

Sorry MouthForWar, your an awesome guy who I'm happy to know through the various kaiju threads, but I have to go to the positive review camp on this one...

I've been hanging out at a comic book shop way too often and the simpering comments on every film that has come out of late (even the holier then though Iron Man) inspired me to do the unthinkable...I paid to go see Speed Racer and snuck in for other films afterwards. And thankfully, I was only $2 away from Morgoth's (of Kaijuphile) legal obligations to be mentally handicapped.

Anyway, the handful of good reviews, all from sources I trust and like, as well as the decent first 7 minutes featured on Sci-Fi Japan renewed interest for me in this film, and I was thoroughly entertained by this live action cartoon that actually works compared to similar attempts in the last 15 years. The dreaded live action Scooby Doo and Inspector Gadget films come to mind...though with that said, "Speed Racer" feels more like the typical American's take on anime in live action form then what the original series ever was, as Tatsunoko Productions did a lot of realistic superhero fair in the 60s and 70s, with Gatchaman among their classic shows.

This is especially true with all almost all the rival racers in the movie, with varying, insane motifs. I love buxom servant-wenches with flirtatious smiles and all...



...but really, Vikings in modern times...let alone Vikings who can be bought out with simple animal pelts!

It's funny to note however that a 20 minute promotional mockumentary based within the film's fictional universe, with all the actors, major and minor alike, remaining in character, actually interviews one of the said Vikings, who as it turns out, is a pretty normal and nice sounding guy who obviously misses the old days when you didn't have to dress all wacky-like and be armed with nasty weapons in be in a simple car race.

But despite this, the camp and colorful weirdness helped the film then hinder it, and thankfully the lead characters (minus two which I'll mentioned soon) had sincere actors behind them, giving this insane American made "Flooly Cooly"-like film its credibility, unlike the said cartoon adaptations mentioned above. The best example of this is John Goodman as Pops, and Susan Sarandon as Mom Racer, giving much needed depth to one of anime's most well-known 'nothing' characters.

The only true downside for me at least were Spritle and Chim-Chim...this was the one part of the film I did not like, but unlike most of the negative reviews, there not in it TOO much. The negative reviews have also mentioned the overly complex plot between the spectacular race sequences, but to be fair it's no different from practically every other sports-vs-bureaucratic-corruption film in history, and at least the convoluted plot of the movie is in its own way more plausible then some from the show it's based upon...which now undermines the whole bit about Tatsunoko Productions...but still, there's more then enough action to not bore anyone for too long.

Unless of course you're the type of person who worships "Iron Man" but complains off the top that there wasn't enough of him in the movie...damn, how did you handle Batman Begins and it's well crafted, but relatively slow story if you are such a person? Or Transformers and it's massive amounts of human scenes?

Jabs at the majority of my local comic book store customers aside, Speed Racer surprised me and although it can't fully recommend it because of its hyperactivity and cartoony look, which offended many by the trailer alone, I still say to diffidently check it out if the opportunity arises, most notably DVD rentals, where I hope the film finds the audience it deserves.

I then I snuck in for Crystal Skulls and Iron Man afterwards, which I liked both of them a lot and a tad more then the one I paid for...but this is Speed's thread, so bug off Henry and Tony!

[Elliot Gay]

[Benjamin Haines]

When I was a kid in the late '90s I was a huge fan of the Speed Racer cartoon. I would watch it when it aired on Cartoon Network every night at midnight, and the rare occasion when they chose it for their multi-hour Saturday afternoon cartoon marathon was like a holiday for me every time. Flash forward a decade, I saw the feature film earlier tonight....




...and I freaking LOVED it! The essence of what made the animated series so endearing and so memorable was captured perfectly with this movie. The characters from the series are all here in this film. I'm not just talking about movie characters that seem loosely based on those from the show played by actors who sort of resemble them, I mean a perfectly chosen cast of actors who embody the characters from the series in look and performance down to a tee. Emile Hirsch IS Speed! Matthew Fox IS Racer X! Trixie, Pops and Mom Racer, Spritle and Chim-Chim, even Sparky (who differs a bit from his animated counterpart but is very much Sparky nonetheless), all of them could not have been portrayed better. I cannot express what a joyous nostalgia trip this movie was thanks to this cast.

The visual style of the movie seems to be the biggest point of contention among people. Being that it's so blatant and consistent throughout the entire film, it really is a make-it-or-break-it matter depending on how you approach the movie. Basically, if you can't handle the visual style, there's no way you can enjoy the movie, and I think that's a shame because there really is so much to like here. But if you can actually embrace the visual style, as I did, then the potential for enjoyment to be had with this movie is exponentially greater. I thought the style was absolutely perfect for adapting Speed Racer. The "cartoon in live action form" approach worked in this case, and in terms of adapting the look of Speed Racer it could not have been more appropriate. I thought it did look a bit too garish when I saw some of the TV spots, but now I realize that they really don't do it justice. I know that doesn't really make sense, because you'd think that what looks a little garish on a TV screen would be unbearable up on the big screen, but it just worked. It completely worked. Seriously, approach this movie and its unique visual style with an open mind and a willingness to experience an ocular tour de force like you've never seen before, and I promise you will be amazed, enthrilled, and thoroughly wowed.

But while the dynamic visual style of the movie is front and center throughout its runtime, it isn't what runs the show. The P-E-R-F-E-C-T cast of actors all giving their characters the best realization imaginable is what brings this picture to life and allows it to flourish from beginning to end. The look of the cartoon wasn't the only thing captured and brought to the big screen; the Wachowskis preserved the series' heart every bit as much as the look, carried by the characters and driven by the story. No, it's not profoundly deep cinema, it's a story that is every bit in the spirit of the animated series as everything else about the movie. The theme of staying true to yourself and not selling out is palpable, the stance against bureaucratic corruption in something that's supposed to be about passion is relatable, and it all connects on an emotional level because the characters are made so endearing and work so well. Their motivations and decisions all feel right, and their plights are actually made compelling. You'll really be interested in what mysterious plans Racer X is up to or how Speed is going to get out of a sticky situation, not because you're supposed to but because the connection with the characters is established so well.

Special mention must also be made with regard to the music. It simultaneously manages to maintain the lighthearted aural spirit of the cartoon as well as complement the various situations and settings throughout the entire feature. Direct inspirations of music cues from the animated series pop up frequently, and they're guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of any fan of the series every time.

I do have a couple of quibbles worth mentioning, though.

*SPOILER WARNING*

The minor subplot regarding Racer X's identity. Of course anybody who was a fan of the show knows who the mysterious Masked Racer really is going into the movie. But here, in the middle of the second act, Speed starts wondering to Trixie if Racer X is really Rex. In the middle of the second act. Not long thereafter, before the third act even gets around, there's a scene in which Speed confronts Racer X about this, and Racer X actually unmasks then and there, revealing a face that is not that of Rex and convincing Speed that he isn't him. This just seemed like such a tedious plot point to me, because I knew that of all the things from the original series, Racer X secretly being Speed's brother was the one thing that the makers of this film simply would not change, so as soon as that scene occurred I could predict a revelation that Rex got some extensive plastic surgery to alter his face when he became Racer X. And sure enough, at the end of the film that's exactly the revelation to the audience that happened. For aficionados of the cartoon it was a pointless subplot, and for members of the general moviegoing public who would have had no idea of Racer X's identity going in, it still would have been pointless. The revelation at the end seemed to be an attempt to spring something of a twist ending on uninitiated moviegoers, but that's really not much of a twist. Speed comes to the correct conclusion in the middle of the second act, only to have Racer X seemingly prove it wrong to him (and the audience), so the twist at the end really doesn't amount to anything more than going back on Racer X's apparent disproof from earlier. Basically, it was tedious and unnecessary, and I would have axed that subplot from the film altogether. Have Speed wonder who Racer X really is, but don't have him coming to the correct conclusion (especially so early on), so that the revelation of Racer X's identity to the audience at the end would have been genuine as well as surprising to the uninitiated.

My other quibble was having the souped-up version of the Mach 5 which Speed drives in the climactic Grand Prix being emblazoned with a big number 6 on its side. They never call it the Mach 6 or anything, but that really irked me. We got to see Speed driving an absolutely beautiful carbon copy of the original cartoon's Mach 5 throughout the film before this, and I had no problem with them sprucing it up a bit for the big race at the end, seeing as it was still very much recognizable as the Mach 5. But having that 6 on the side of the car just really, really irked me. Like in NASCAR, if Rusty Wallace were to get his car modified and tricked out, he wouldn't suddenly go from being #2 to #3 (even pretending for a minute that that number wasn't already taken by Dale Earnhardt's legacy). Sprucing up the Mach 5 for Speed's big race I can handle, but really, the Mach 5 is Speed's car, not the "Mach 6". Why would they even want to change that? I also didn't like how some of the buttons on the Mach 5's steering wheel differed from the car features they correlated to on the cartoon ("F" activates the buzzsaws here, for example). But they only really made a point of this during one short scene, so it wasn't quite that bad. I did love hearing that classic sound effect every time Speed hits the "A" button to activate the automatic jacks.

*END SPOILERS*


Those quibbles really didn't detract from the overall experience for me though, so I'm willing to just set them aside. Because really, to me there is SO much to love about this movie. Amidst the seemingly endless flurry of classic cartoons being adapted to live action with terrible results, this film stands out as an example of how to do this kind of thing right. It's a wonderful gift for fans of the animated series. Go out and see it on the big screen in all its glory while you still can. You won't be able to remove the smile from your face from the moment the music plays over the opening titles, and by the time of the big race you'll genuinely be cheering for Speed to cross the finish line. Go, Speed Racer, Go!