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Speed Racer is not an easy film to review. On the one hand I can’t exactly call it a “good” film, but on the other hand, its a whole lot of fun, and sometimes that’s more important. There’s been a lot of so-called “good or great” films have have bored me, and Speed Racer surely isn’t dull or boring in the least. I also saw it in IMAX, and let me tell you friends, that’s the way to see this film. The cynical and old white people who call themselves “film critics” can’t stand the film, but I can defend its existence on a level of pure entertainment, and my audience seemed to have a blast. The film’s visuals are definitely the highlight and IMAX is the way to see the candy-colored world of Speed Racer come to life right before your eyes. The races will pop your eyes and make you cheer, even when the convoluted and overlong mess of a plot bring the film in for an early pit stop or two.Â
The story is about a hotshot racer (likable Emile Hirsch) who is given an offer to leave his family run racing team and join with a sinister corporate tycoon named Royalton (played to smarmy perfection by Roger Allam, from V for Vendetta). Speed’s parents (well played by Susan Sarandon, and especially the reliable John Goodman) are cautious in accepting the tycoon’s seemingly too generous offer, while we also meet Racer X (Matthew Fox of Lost, brooding like Batman Jr.) and a mysterious rival racer named Taejo (played by popular J-pop star Rain). Rain may be the coolest name ever for a musician/actor. Speed’s annoying younger brother and everyone’s favorite monkey Chim Chim are also along for the ride.  Christina Ricci is sweet but mostly looks lost admist the effects. The film is well-directed by the Wachowski Brothers of The Matrix fame, but like its 2 sequels, this thing runs on forever. Speed Racer runs a flabby 2 hrs and 15 minutes and is easily 20 minutes too long. It does sprint towards the finish line, but the middle of the film could have been trimmed, the overstuffed plot about evil corporations and criminal activities don’t do much for the film as a whole. It does take a whole lot of balls for a film made for what looks like a fortune made by a huge movie studio to give us a message about corporate greed ruining the purity of sport, only the Wachowski Brothers could get away with something like that.
Speed Racer is adequately acted and visually exciting, but an overstuffed plot and a too-long runtime stall the film at the finish line. As it is, it’s a fun and stimulating film that I can recommend, especially for those who can see it on IMAX. Racer is far from perfect, but by the end I dare you not to be singing along to the catchy theme and cheering. Go Speed Racer Go !
Film Grade: B-