Speed Racer (DVD, 2008, Widescreen)

Synopsis: Based on the 1960s Japanese manga derived animated TV series of the same name, SPEED RACER follows the adventures of the title character (Emile Hirsch), a young race car driver who sits behind the wheel of the lightning-fast Mach 5 vehicle. Aided by his family, which includes Pops Racer (John Goodman) and Mom Racer (Susan Sarandon), and his devoted girlfriend, Trixie (Christina Ricci), Speed racks up victory after victory, but still lives in the shadow of his late older brother, Rex (Scott Porter), who died in a race. When Speed garners the wrath of Royalton Industries, he must team up with the enigmatic Racer X (Matthew Fox) to defeat the ruthless corporation.

Now I am regretting not watching this movie on the big screen but I am also glad I got to watch the DVD because of the extra stuff. This was a great entertaining show for SPEED RACER Old School fans and now new comers. The younger generation who never really got to watch this show will definitely be completely entertained by this movie.

There were close to 100 episodes of SPEED RACER cartoons and the Wachowski Brothers (Creators of the MATRIX Movies) and their team put most of them together in a little over 2 hours movie. It was extremely well done and the show had everything including drama, comedy, romance and ACTION. Just when you think that it can’t get better then the movie surprises you and gets even BETTER. This movie is meant for all ages and I completely recommend buying it and playing it over and over again. You won’t regret your purchase.

All of the actors played their parts very well and they kept the movie going. The special features on the DVD will also keep you entertained and are extremely well done. I give this movie a 4.5 stars and I am sure that a lot of people will agree with my rating.

Now here is a little note for the Wachowski Brothers: Now that you have the Speed Racer experience why not go and make a movie about the Anime show called IGPX: IMMORTAL GRAND PRIX; I am sure that wouldn’t be a huge stretch and it would be possible using all of the experience learned on this Speed Racer Movie. BTW; great job on the movie.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm still a little boy at heart. I love cars, explosions and any excuse to watch an action movie. In that case, what's not to love about "Speed Racer"?

As one of the year's most spectacular box office wrecks, I was wary of seeing the film after a cavalcade of poor reviews. Let's set the record straight: As a spectacle film, "Speed Racer" works. The Wachowski Brothers have taken all the testosterone of, say, "The Fast the Furious," filtered it through an LSD blender, and concocted a candy-coated world that is at once blinding and awesome. Sure, the plot is paper thin, but the Wachowskis manage capable performances out of their ensemble cast -- a cast that includes such auspicious names as Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon and Emile Hirsch (see also his star-turning role in "Into the Wild.") Despite this, "Speed Racer" remains entertaining and amusing, even if the film is a bit too chaste for its own good.

I tried to dislike "Speed Racer." I really did. But the little boy, who finds fun in revving engines, streaking taillights and impossible physics, won out.

This is one of the better adaptations from a TV show. I mean we have Bewitched that was totally unfaithful to the original story. Here Speed Racer has fast paced story with many colorful explosions which made me reminiscence the great days of Speed Racer the show on Saturdays! I like the cast, especially the supporting cast like John Goodman and Susan Saradon. Emile Hirsch portrays as Speed really well. Trixie (Christina Ricci) was also done really well too. However, Racer X may have been miscast; Matthew Fox may have over did his character. Overall, I love the movie and it is one of the more faithful adaptations.

I must admit that I know, or knew rather, very little about the story or history of Speed Racer- and his TV series - and maybe that is why I enjoyed this movie so much. Although, this is still a different type of situation where one who was a big fan of the shows might be seriously critical of every little detail of the turned movie. I don't believe anyone who considers themselves truly knowledgeable about Tatsuo Yoshida's work can say that this was not represented well on the big screen. I'm now intrigued to go back and check out some episodes of Speed Racer.

That aside, as far as it being a movie and a work of art, I would give this movie high marks in both categories. For it being a movie, it was nice to see something so different as far as the approach to making it go. Also, having such an incredible cast makes it all the more intriguing. I don't see anyone else having portrayed any of these characters any better than the cast that was hired to do so.

On an artistic level, it is extremely hard to think of any other movie that comes close to being in the same league. I did not see The Matrix, but I would say that anyone who liked Sin City for its cinematography and graphic elements, would love Speed Racer. The use of bright photography that's added behind a green screen makes for a far more dramatic effect.

Take the artistic elements of this movie, and put it together with the amazing cast (both looks and talent) and throw it together with a very different but coherent plot, and you've got yourself an extremely enjoyable movie that is definitely worth seeing. And seeing at the theater no less! My hats off to The Wachowski Brothers, and the rest of the cast and crew for putting together something different for a change.

This WB release is packed with action, astounding special effects (mixing the real with the virtual) and intriguing story lines. Only because of all of these three aspects, it's worth a watch. It's a little children-focused, but entertaining for the whole family.

It has not much to do with the innocence and the simplicity of the original Japanese cartoon series and this is one more reason fans of this character should see the movie - to judge by themselves.

Basically, this is a story of a little boy who is born and raised by a family of car and speed lovers. They truly believe in the joy and in the real spirit of the racing. Along the way, they end up facing the tough reality of the sport business - competitors, results and championships are determined by the industry, the money men, by the interest of big money corporations. There's no such thing as fair results, authentic competition. Winners and losers are previously chosen before they even compete. Speed Racer's family is even led to believe that the loss of their oldest children by a car accident was caused by this called corporate greed.

As Speed and his family are determined to bring the power down, proving that talent and the love for the speed are capable of anything that money just can't buy, mysteries unfold throughout the story and everything end up just fine. While some people might call this a predictable, boring and childish flick, I call it the best live-action movie of 2008 so far. Undoubtedly a five-star rating.