“Speed Racer” (2008)
The Wachowskis 5th film, lovingly appreciated and spoiler free.
The Wachowskis 5th film, lovingly appreciated and spoiler free.
Ahead of the UK release of The Matrix Resurrections on 22nd December, here is my original review I posted to my film blog many moons ago. I will be doing likewise for the other magnificent films in their cinematic cannon and each will be released separately here. I rather obsess over The Matrix films so I’m rather excited and hence, I thought I’d re-visit my blogs of their previous films.
I will also be releasing a special edition blog on all four Matrix films as soon as my eager eyes have seen their latest creation.
Anyway, spoiler free as with all my film blogs, on with the show:
The weakest for me of the seven films within their current cinematic cannon but by no means a failure or indeed a bad film. Firstly it has severe competition! But more importantly I am not the demographic intended for this spectacular racing film and the demographic (my 9 year old son) is very enthusiastic and highly recommends this film to his age group!
A very brief premise: “Speed” (Emile Hirsch) is desperately following in his brother’s footsteps as a Speed Racer in intense circuit car racing. Driven on by his memories and with the support of his family he takes on all comers in some wonderfully depicted (cliché alert!) high octane, frenetic races. The numerous race scenes are indeed frenetic and brilliantly brought to life by The Wachowski’s and ably assisted by their regular collaborators, especially in the eye catching production design from Owen Paterson and edited brilliantly again by Zach Staenberg (with Roger Barton).
Hirsch as Speed certainly stands out, as do family performances from John Goodman as “Pops”, Susan Sarandon as “Mom” and Nicholas Elia as “Young Speed”. Buy my personal favourites and a huge hit with the demographic was Paulie Litt as “Spritle” and his pet chimpanzee “Chim Chim”. Just a real joy every time the two are on screen and often hilarious. Away from the racing family are great performances from Christina Ricci as “Trixie” and an especially brilliant over the top performance from Roger Allam as “Arnold Royalton”, the bad guy if you will.
Based on the 1960’s Japanese anime’ series Speed Racer, it is bizarrely brilliant at times, flat at others but always with a smile on it’s face and a tongue squarely in it’s cheek. The scenes with Chim Chim are a delight, but Speed Racer is not a favourite Wachowski selection for me, however compared to their most recent addition Jupiter Ascending, it’s bloody brilliant!
Thanks for reading. Below is a recently re-published review of The Wachowskis first film in 1996, Bound:
“Bound” (1996).
The Wachowskis First Film. Lovingly appreciated and spoiler free.medium.com