The Wachowski Brothers, Speed Racer

Photo Credit: IGN

by Chris Flippo
05/23/2008

Speed Racer is the kind of movie that critics look forward to reviewing because you can never really go too far in your critique of it. Some have said in their reviews that it is akin to an LSD trip or one of Hunter S. Thompson’s fevered nightmares. I, for one, was going to say it was like eating cotton candy, but I have recently found out that this one was already taken (damn!).

Instead, I’m just going to say that it’s like watching Cartoon Network on fast-forward while someone else shoots roman candles at you. No, this is not an experience I’m familiar with (yet), but if I had to guess what this is like, I believe Speed Racer would be a good frame of reference.

The movie is based on, of course, the anime series that ran in the late 60s. The original program followed a racer named (appropriately) Speed Racer as he battled corrupt drivers on and off the racetrack. Based on the Japanese program, Mach GoGoGo, Speed Racer proved that anime could be a success in the United States.

The Wachowski Brothers’ 2008 update does not change the winning formula. Speed Racer (played gamely by Emile Hirsch) is a driver whose life has always revolved around the racetrack. With the help of Mom and Pops Racer (Susan Sarandon and John Goodman), Racer achieves a record-breaking career by 18.

However, after refusing a corporate sponsership from the ruthless Mr. Royalton (Roger Allam), Speed uncovers the truth that all the past Grand Prix races have been fixed. Now, Royalton is determined to make racing even more difficult for Speed, threatening not only his career, but his life. With the help of Racer X (Matthew Fox), Speed must participate in a series of races in order to get his honor back.

What is most surprising about the new Speed Racer is not its changes, but its reverence toward the original program. For better or worse, it is pretty much a direct representation of the anime style. Characters jump with little regard to gravity, the color palette is bright, and the dialogue wastes no time with subtext. To the Brothers Wachowski, these are not so much faults as they are a style.

However, this does not necessarily translate to the silver screen. There is plenty of razzle and dazzle to the proceedings, but Speed Racer lacks the tension that has accompanied the best blockbusters. The audience is never really sure what constitutes danger in the world the Wachowskis have created. A racetrack toward the end is said to be very dangerous, but to the audience, it doesn’t seem much more threatening than the one found in the very first scene. Compare this to the Matrix trilogy. Though many have argued about the quality of the sequels, at least we had a palpable sense of danger. Agent Smith and those sentinels were damn threatening and that was that.

The movie is always a pleasure to watch, but one does begin to get a stomachache from all the eye candy. Even the credits themselves vibrate with color. Like a kid after too much sugar, this movie is not happy unless it is moving. I was going to say that you might as well stay home and eat plenty of candy but, damn, that one is already taken, too.

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