Speed Racer (2008)

I think this Speed Racer review might glow as bright as the colours in the film itself. I loved it.

I wasn't really that familiar with the Speed Racer background. I'd seen the cartoon a couple of times, but I can't say that it was a big part of my childhood. It's fair to say that it's not a plot with a lot of depth, but the introduction to it is fast and furious, setting a pace for the plot that is maintained through to the checkered flag and beyond. The Speed Racer virgin shouldn't have any trouble getting to grips with the story. Indeed, they won't have to to stay confused for long, as the film's pace helps to make the, almost marathon, 135 minutes fly by. On first glance, that length seems excessive for what is essentially a family film. The Wachowski Brothers ensure that very little of that time is wasted. There's no laborious love story, no frustrating loss of ability driving ability by the main character, just balls to the wall fun.

The plot revolves around Speed Racer, the middle child of a racing family. Pops Racer is the developer of the Mach 5, a car that was poreviously owned by Rex Racer, Speed's brother who died in a race crash a few years ago. Speed now races the car and attracts the attention of major sponsors after victory in his debut race. The main suitor is Royalton, but is unable to lure Speed in to joining him. Speed prefers to stick with his family and with the racing ethos that has seen them produce to of the finest car racers in recent memory. At this news, Royalton reveals to Speed Racer that the entirety of racing is fixed by big business and that, if he competes on his own, he will never have a chance of winning. This spurs Speed in to teaming up with the mysterious Racer X in order to put an end to the corruption in racing once and for all.

The film looks amazing. The visuals are more than vibrant, I loved the use of bright colours. These combine well with a generous use of light trails and some cel shading to make the races a particular joy to watch. The climax of the final lap of the final race in the film is the best, breathtaking, example of this. In-lin with the visuals are the joyously sweet moments throughout the film in which family values and morals in the face of corporate capitalism is, admittedly, shoved down the audiences throats. It was over the top, but I enjoyed it, the family were just great to watch.

I've been vaguely aware of some rather tepid reviews for the film this weekend. I can only speculate that these were as a result of it being so over the top and larger than life. I only see this as a good thing, helping to enhance the fun, silliness and the laughs. Speed's brother, Spritle and his pet chimp, Chim Chim, are the main source of these laughs as they terrorise pretty much every character in the film with their scampish fervour. Roger Allam makes an excellent villain as Royalton, treading a fine line between exuberance and cheese, fortunately erring on the side of exuberance more often than not. Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon and John Goodman work well in their roles too. Emile Hersch as the title character is good if not excellent, but I think Matthew Fox really steals the show as the mysterious Racer X. Admittedly, it's not the most dynamic or testing role, but Fox was genuinely watchable, carrying a cool mystique throughout.

There are a couple of downsides. Royalton's courting of Speed drags on far too long for a plot thread that basically results in nothing. Further to this, there are too many factions involved in the racing corruption to keep track of. It was difficult to figure out which side everyone was on, though it didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the film. Finally, some parts of the film were a little heavy for this type of family film. Indeed, a rating of PG seemed quite generous, especially considering some of the film's more violent moments.

I think The Wachowski Brothers have unashamedly created something big, bold and in your face. The races and other action scenes are superb to watch, perhaps topping the standard for this type of scene set by The Phantom Menace a few years ago. I had a lot of fun and I think anybody that can watch it without taking it too seriously will too.

Links: Speed Racer(IMDb) Speed Racer (Wikipedia) Trailer