SOUND OFF

I went to an afternoon matinée showing to fit around my schedule, and while there were only a few people there, we were all laughing along and people were cheering and whooping. And I left the cinema with a grin the size of a crescent moon plastered on my face. The Brothers seem to have delivered a real crowd-pleasing extravaganza of a film. The racing scenes were bleeding spectacular. I mean "spectacular" in a way that has never even been imagined. Honestly, it deserves an Oscar nod just for art design. What's so ingenious about the opening sequence is that it not only sets up all the characters with entertaining and emotional efficiency, but it also establishes how the cars work in this fantasy world. So despite the races being faster than anything you're ever likely to see, the main action beats are always delivered with a clarity and a style that will keep you thrilled beyond belief. Each race is perfectly crafted with the stakes and the challenges rising further and further with each successive scene...until we reach a final showdown that leaves you utterly breathless. Literally. And the "visual vocabulary" of the film is truly innovative. It's like the camera is no object. As an audience member, you've never felt freer. Unlike the stylistic approach of the recent Star Wars prequels, which generally used locked off cameras and relatively tame tracking shots, Speed Racer ducks into, under and around the action in a way that opens up the medium like no other film before it. Compared to other film in its greenscreen sub-genre, this leaves movies like Sin City and 300 looking rather timid by comparison. But at the heart of it, this is really a film about fathers and their sons. A coming of age story about hope, expectation, and the pain of loss. I found myself with a lump in my throat while watching the movie. Wait, let me rephrase. I found myself with a lump in my throat within ten minutes of the film starting. Emile Hirsch, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox and Scott Porter as the young Rex Racer all provide intimate and genuinely moving performances. Make no mistake about it, this film is the definition of joviality on celluloid. But the story is basically driven by the shadow of a lost family member from the very first scene in the film, and that's what really makes the film worth watching. As well as being immersed in a fantasy world of drop dead gorgeous visuals, of course. In the same way that Sin City was an exaggerated, impressionistic noir, and just as 300 was an exaggerated, impressionistic war movie, Speed Racer plays as an exaggerated, impressionistic 1960s kid's show. Which is exactly what it is. It's campy. It's fun, And it's full of humour and heart. Of course, brooding characters and over-the-top gore is easier to sell than camp, colourful fun, but allowing oneself to become absorbed in the film's style makes for a rewarding experience. I've heard complaints about the film's exposition, but the only scene where I could perhaps understand that criticism was about half way through when Taejo's family troubles were being told. But even that zipped by very quickly and the audience still understands exactly what was at stake in the upcoming race. So if it is a flaw, it's a minor one at best. The characters are warm and lovable, the villains are wonderfully hissable, the actors' performances are all suitably camp, and the morality tale at the center of it - the battle of family versus corporatism - gives the story a real spirit. And makes the races all that more enthralling to watch. It's infectiously charming, and even at 129 minutes the film glides like a T-180 on ice. I was convinced I was only in there for about thirty minutes, and when it finished I was left gagging for more. So what's the verdict? Well, it's a tricky decision between 4 and 5 stars. While the story wasn't exactly the peak of literary greatness, it was very well told. Despite its two hour plus running time, the narrative was sharp, the emotionality was touching, and the plot turns were genuinely exciting. If the film was not such a special effects extravaganza, it would probably have been given a 4 star rating. But the film does have incredible special effects. And it does offer an absolutely sublime spectacle. Not only that, but the Wachowskis seem to have yet again set another industry standard - one that will likely be copied and mimicked for years to come. Until the Brothers reinvent the wheel for a fourth time, that is. And as such, the rating for this film is for something that could easily end up becoming highly influential classic. Bring on Speed Racer 2!

Alex, I agree that part of it is indeed about being able to "sit back and enjoy it for what it is". I mean, you don't go to see a romantic comedy and then walk out complaining that there weren't enough action scenes in it! In the same way, you've gotta see the angle Speed Racer is coming from...although I admit it often seems like it's coming from all angles at once

I saw this with a bunch of friends at the midnight showing and, to be completely honest, we LOVED it! I think that it's hands-down the best adaptation of anime-style sentiments to live action. I thought that compared to Iron Man, the antagonist's character had depth of character instead of being just blindly "evil" for some unknown reason. One thing that we all remarked when walking out of the theater was just how many moments there were in the movie where we were laughing so hard it hurt. I honestly don't remember a movie where I was so caught off-guard by comedic relief--I couldn't contain my own bellowing laughs. There has never been a time when I've disagreed with critics more, but this time their high-brow and unflinchingly elitist attitudes vis-a-vis the Wachowski Brothers has soured my taste for the industry as a whole. From now on I'll be seeing my movies based on my own intuitions about them, and screw what some old fart thinks.

I was totally blown away. It made me feel like a kid again. Incredible visuals unlike anything anyone has ever seen before. Perfect summer entertainment, and something the whole family can enjoy. This is one movie that I wouldn't mind a sequel to.

Ok, back in after a mammoth 3 films in one evening (thanks to my unlimited cinema card!!!). First up, they had great trailers: Indy, Caspian, Hulk, Dark Night...all look amazing, especially the new Hulk trailer. On to the movies! #1 What happens in vegas - actually pretty funny! 5/10 #2 Speed Racer - the main downpoint was i watched it with a whole 5 other people in the cinema,3 of which left half way through, leaving me and my friend. This was at an 8:30 start...although the cinema was pretty empy all round, actually had a comic market in the foyer selling Iron Man and Hulk stuff so maybe they expected more people. What can i say.....how can anyone NOT be entertained by it??? It was brilliant...Spritle & Chim Chim were awesome, the scene where they are on the sugar rush was crazy, as was the end credits with Chim Chim on the cart spinning and driving... LOL. I thought it was great, entertaining all the way through. It was a crazy 'Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas..for kids' trip. Definitely a cult classic in the making. And, Racer X was good, Matthew Fox should be Captain America next! Really good movie, needed MORE driving and i think last race should have been longer and crazier before the climax. 9/10 #3 Doomsday - What can i say? F*CKING AWESOME. It was another intense trip (liked Speedracer... but violent). Cute rabbit being splattered by sentry gun? Check! Crazy car stunts and flying heads splattering ON the camera? sweet. 9/10...i will re-watch this almost as much as Mad Max and Mad Max 2. All in all, a great night... £11.99 a month for unlimited trips to the movies rules! I think on Sunday i'll catch Iron Man & Speed Racer again!!

Alright! Totally seeing this movie on June 12, when it comes out in Australia. Very often, I gauge whether or not to see a movie on what critics have to say (i.e. Rotten Tomatoes), but Speed Racer is one of those films I want to see for my own reasons. I'm going to go in and have a good time.

I think there are going to be some reports of kids that are going to be experiencing some major seizures during this movie. Aside from the fact it was bad, not terrible but just plain bad. All those unnecessary cuts and flashback made be ill. I mean you have to be a 5 year old retard not to understand the story line. I hope there is no sequel! It felt like I was in the 60's on some bad acid trip or just looking at some little girl's myspace page with lots of glitter.

I went with 5 friends to an IMAX showing and we all LOVED it! Yea it's ridiculous, yea it's dumb, but it was also unlike anything I've seen and that is one of the main reasons I go to the movies- to see something truly new. And I also got involved with the Racer family and found it to be emotionally spot on for something that is so "fake." Excited to go see it again under a certain influence because this flick was made for that and destined for cult status. Also in terms of reactions to the film the crowd loved it. They clapped when it ended and people commenting as they left were that they wanted to see it again right then. The first thing we said when we left was how boring the real world looked in comparison. The entire structure of the movie is so different and unexpected that it's kind of jarring at first but when you go with it it becomes a great experience.

This movie was absolutely breathtaking... especially on imax. I seriously can't wait any longer for them to announce a sequel. I felt like a kid again just watching Speed Racer do the pose from the cartoon.

Well I just came from the film and I was left shaking my head saying NO SPEED RACER NO! I've seen many a film in my time but I've never seen one where so many people WALKED OUT DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE FILM. That exit door from the theater to the parking lot was slamming all night long (and that is no exaggeration) It unsuccesfully flip-flopped between trying to be a bad imitation of Robert Rodriquez' SPY KIDS and Shark Boy and Lava Girl, and a grown up film for the 'big kids' sitting in the audience, hence the many obvious (a little much for kids) Butt, Thigh and cleavage shots. And those dragged out 'CW' Smallville dialogues and hostile take over-stock and bonds speeches left the kids ready to throw their jelly beans at the screen. And while the effects were nice, like I mentioned before it wasn't anything that SPY Kids didn't have SR just had a little more sparkle because they used new soft ware. Just like the race scenes where the edit cuts never gave you a birds eye view long enough to feel the suspense and get into it, the storyline was like that too--sadly you really didn't root for the characters-- you just watched them (in between checking the time on your cell phone) Not that you're expecting to fall out int the floor cryin' or anything but even as plain as Peter Parker is from Spiderman--you still root for him. So the kids had it right tonight "Is it over yet?" Oh and a note if your kids/brother/ sisters are at all squeemish about blood, there was a particular scene where a mobster beats on one of the racers tied to a chair, (he even begs for mercy) it may be a little much for the wee-ones and upset them.

ok, i just came back from seeing it and i persoanlly loved it! and that's from a non-speedracer fan! i loved all the visuals. they were spectacular! the races were so beautifully put together. and during the races, i nearly forgot i was watching a movie. to top it all off, Christina Ricci looked absolutely gorgeous in it. i would prefer long hair, but i take it Trixie had short. one little thing i noticed, 2:15 is a little too long for the kids. great job on everyone's part. really fun ride. cool beans. =)

I'm really surprised by the rave reviews FirstShowing is giving Speed Racer. Over here in the UK I'm seeing review after review giving it 1 star. I'm not sure I've ever seen a film be so divisive. Personally I'll be giving it a miss, everything I've seen of it points to atrocious.

I love color, but dang, I wanted to be able to see the races and the cars a little more clearly. It was entertaining, and they captured the spirit of a cartoon. The actual cartoon was a little darker at times, so I was expecting something more adult. I'll go see it again just to see the races. And dang, I want more of Racer X to tell ya the truth! Oh..the bummer part was all the kids in the show..I have to remember to see PG movies way late in the day. They talked, kicked railings, jumped around the whole time. So most of the dialog I missed anyway. Oh well! I look forward to another shot at this show. Just show me more cars!

a different movie, not everyone is going to like it, not everyone is ready for this, 8/10, besides not for kids, the kinds didn't like it in my movie theater.

iron man was bad, not as bad as dardevil, xmen 3 or hulk!

I personally loved it! I had no idea it was so long until I read it in these comments. The whole movie blinked by. I couldn't believe I was sitting on the edge of my seat in the final race! I highly recommend seeing it.

We don't care about "the numbers", we have seen the movie and liked it.

Fun! FUN! FUN! To those who criticized, what were you expecting? This was one of the best movies of its kind ever made. Further, it is probably the best blend of live action and animation that has ever been made. It's a pure fun movie, yet still manages to have a touching story. There were times when my heart was literally pounding from the action. Other times I literally laughed out loud. And yet, other times when I was actually emotionally touched. This was a wonderful FUN FUN FUN movie, and I would love to see it again. Emile Hirsch and Mat Fox were especially good.

This movie was off the hook! 10 of 10 - Great visual effects, casting, my kids loved it as well. I liked that the original Speed made a cameo as well. Will see this again at the theatre - surprised that it only did $20 million opening weekend.