Speed Racer

[Parker]

Totally late to the party, but I just rented this over the weekend and wanted to start a new thread about it. I feel like its been released long enough after this thread wrapped up.

It took me forever to see it despite the good will on CHUD and other places (including friends of mine) simply because it looked so awful. I hated the trailers and I haven't liked the Wachowski's since the first Matrix, so I wasn't expecting much. The idea of an overly colorful, CGI car porn movie for kids in their hands didn't appeal to me.

The movie blew me away. There's so much love, attention to detail and passion in every frame of this movie. The look, style and performances are all pitch perfect and I cared about every single one of these cartoonish characters ten times more then anybody in the Matrix trilogy. As others said in the thread above, if I was a kid when I saw this it would probably be my favorite movie ever.

I know the movie under performed, but I'm curious what kind of a direction the Wachowski's are going in now. They should do kids movies. Based on this, its what they were born to do.

[mcnooj82]

Yaaaaaaay!

If the Wachowskis never direct another film again, I love the fact that their career as directors would begin with Bound and end with Speed Racer.

[Spike Marshall]

I sat awed in the cinema when I finally saw this film and when the credits rolled I uttered a silent 'fuck you nooj' to myself as I left in embarrassment and disgust. I have no doubt that in a few years time it'll probably be a cult movie but really I just thought it was kind of terrible.

[mcnooj82]

Hahahahaah! I was hoping you'd pop in, Spike. I'm honored you thought of me.

At least you were awed.

I hope this doesn't become anything like a cult movie. That would annoy me. The movie is all mine.

That said, I've cooled a bit on the movie. I expected it. I simply can't maintain that level of enthusiasm for that long. Still love it.

[Nicholas]

God, I really love this movie. Sitting in a nearly empty theater, four or five rows away from the screen, with a perfect digital print and an amazing sound system blasting, was as close to a perfect movie experience I've had in a long time.
Yeah, it's not perfect but to me, it's still amazing and I have so much fun watching it. The reaction I get from anyone I show it to is just "meh". I definitely see it becoming something like a true cult favorite.

But nooj, you truly are the no. 1 fan. I remember you were all over that last thread!

[Justin Clark]

Still pretty madly in love with it. The action scenes please my inner 7 year old. The adult in me is on board right around that line from Pops about marrying his best friend, and the movie does right by them both in the end.

And the Blu Ray is still mindblowingly gorgeous.

[duke fleed]

Speed Racer was a...Perfect adaption of the...Classic anime series! That is why, it did not make enough money. That said...I love watching...Speed Racer! Also, Christina Ricci, now has a role as an adult (Trixie) as great as when she was...Wednesday Addams in the Addams Family films. I am glad there are people that love this film as I do. I was mercilessly attacked for saying the film was going to be great. Go...Speed Racer...Go!

[Jan]

Count me into the lovers camp as well.

This movie is my "show-off" BR. There is hardly any movie I can think of that showcases the quality of HD like this one. And everytime I catch new details. The level of love that got poured in every frame is astounding indeed. On a pure technical level this flick is marvelous.

Though it might be overlong in stretches it is just pure unadultered fun. The most definite eye candy. And it has funny monkeys. Ninjas! And Moritz Bleibtreu cameo. Yeah, loving it.

[Martianman]

I saw it at a digital theater when it came out, and have seen it in HD on HBO/Showtime/whichever channel it's been on, and it still looks great. Think I may finally pick up the BR version used from Blockbuster one of these days.

I enjoyed it for what it was. Ridiculously, my complaint was too much story, not enough racing. The last two races had me all hyped up when I first saw it in the theater.

[Brad Millette]

This movie could have become the highest grossing film of all time, if they'd just sold it on the fact that there's a car in it that shoots bees at other cars.

[Ben Thomas]

Watched the Blu this weekend - probably the 4th time i've seen the film - and yep, love it more than ever. I agree about Pops' line about marrying his best friend. Goodman and Sarandon are perfect in this, unsurprisingly. And those races...

Casa Cristo is pretty mind-blowing - the editing in this film, especially touches like moving back and forth between Ricci and Hirsch while they're driving, rather than cutting, is inspired - but the final Grand Prix is absolutely astonishing. My favourite touch is the painted horses appearing to run alongside the cars as they go past.

And the final montage of Speed acheiving racing enlighenment, thinking back on all the things his mom, pop and Racer X have told him still gives me chills.

It really is a shame this thing tanked, its so unique in modern family entertainment.

[Brad Millette]

Car. Shoots. BEES.

[Soul Ahn Ice]

I too love this movie, and can't seem to convince people who haven't seen it that it's any good. It's just a joy to watch.

Also every male in the world should want to see it if you just tell them that "John Goodman defeats ninjas with pro wrestling moves." What more do you need?

[First Class 782]

I couldn't believe how much I loved this film when I saw it last year. I took my family the next day, and both my wife and son loved it, and I was even more impressed on a second viewing. I even took in a third viewing in IMAX, which was as good as my first viewing, which was astonishing. Usually my second or third viewing starts to show seams, but this thing just sung.

Brilliant editing, great score by Giacchino, and a warm, friendly script.

[Alan "Nordling" Cerny]

Still one of my favorite films of last year. It's got so much good will in it. Sure, it's got fat in the middle, but I still think it's a fantastic family film.

[Junior]

I cried when Speed stopped short of Phantom Rex's record. And that was like, what, three minutes in? I'm Speed Crier.

[Martianman]

Originally Posted by Soul Ahn Ice

Also every male in the world should want to see it if you just tell them that "John Goodman defeats ninjas with pro wrestling moves." What more do you need?

You should follow it up with "...and then he calls them 'Non-jas'."

[MoonBaseNick]

Then there is this thing about a car with bees shooting out of it.

[Ratty]

Originally Posted by MoonBaseNick

Then there is this thing about a car with bees shooting out of it.

Even better is the car that shoots rattlesnakes.

[wadew1]

Originally Posted by Brad Millette

Car. Shoots. BEES.

I thought the COBRA CATAPULT was the real show stopper.

Ahh what could have been! I wonder what they would have catapulted in the sequel.
Box Jellyfish? Grizzly bears?

[Brad Millette]

Originally Posted by wadew1

I thought the COBRA CATAPULT was the real show stopper.

Ahh what could have been! I wonder what they would have catapulted in the sequel.
Box Jellyfish?

Could've been a Seven Pounds/Speed Racer crossover extravaganza!

[mcnooj82]

Only if Will Smith made an appearance as a villain and was defeated by said jellyfish. WHOO!

I was pretty taken with the car that dragged a mace on its back as its driver chanted his sponsor's name. THORAZINE, YEAH!!!

[Judas Booth]

I didn't care for it. I don't hate it to the degree that some people do (indeed, I admire many technical aspects of it), but it never came together into something compelling or involving for me. I did like alot of the car-fu stuff, though.

[Martin Savage]

Originally Posted by Judas Booth

I didn't care for it. I don't hate it to the degree that some people do (indeed, I admire many technical aspects of it), but it never came together into something compelling or involving for me. I did like alot of the car-fu stuff, though.

Same here. The only thing I really hated were the retarded little brother and the fucking monkey. Remove that and the movie would improve a lot.

[Judas Booth]

Originally Posted by Martin Savage

Same here. The only thing I really hated were the retarded little brother and the fucking monkey. Remove that and the movie would improve a lot.

Absolutely agreed. Some more Trixie flesh wouldn't have hurt either.

[Brad Millette]

Screw that, I wanted to see more of the bad guy's personal assistant.

[Mattioli]

Originally Posted by Martin Savage

Same here. The only thing I really hated were the retarded little brother and the fucking monkey. Remove that and the movie would improve a lot.

It's like I don't even know who you are anymore. If I ever really did.

[JetManX]

Different strokes for different folks. I thought this movie was the definition of 'razzle-dazzle'. The races were excellent, as was pretty much all the acting, but everything is just TOO thin. And I know anime features insanely long conversations where the evil characters outline and develop their shemes, but I don't like anime and those scenes are boring regardless. So were the inspirational flashbacks, stuck right in the middle of the freaking action. Lot of colors though.

[Renn Brown]

This is one of the very few movies that I can say with complete confidence that disliking it means you didn't get it.

[FilmNerdJamie]

I was one of those schmucks who avoided it when it opened. Me = Fail. Very enjoyable flick.

[mcnooj82]

Originally Posted by Brad Millette

Screw that, I wanted to see more of the bad guy's personal assistant.

There's quite a close-up of her flexing her calves as Speed gets off the plane. In IMAX, it felt kinda gratuitous. Like she had trouble standing in those heels.

[Matt M]

I caught this for the first time one rainy afternoon on HBO a couple of months ago.

Then I watched it again the next night.

And again 2 nights later.*

And bought the Blu Ray the next day.

I am madly in love with this film, and am kicking myself for not seeing it in theaters. I also show it to everybody that comes over, and get a pretty universal "meh." Their loss.

*Side note: I have a very indulgent wife.

[duke fleed]

Matt M, Maybe, Privately, she has a need for...Speed Racer!

[Dr_Ultimately]

a SPEED RACER thread filled with (almost) nothing but love?

this is my favorite thread ever.

[dontEATnachos]

Originally Posted by Matt M

I caught this for the first time one rainy afternoon on HBO a couple of months ago.

Then I watched it again the next night.

And again 2 nights later.*

And bought the Blu Ray the next day.

I am madly in love with this film, and am kicking myself for not seeing it in theaters.

That was basically my experience as well except that I rented it, watched it once then watched it again before I returned it and then bought it the next week.

Luckily all the people I've shown it to have had at least a positive response to it (even if it's not as enthusiastic as my own).

[mcnooj82]

Speed Racer sucks. You are all fools of the highest caliber.

[Subotai]

Love this flick.

[Dr_Ultimately]

Originally Posted by mcnooj82

Speed Racer sucks. You are all fools of the highest caliber.

how does it feel to be alone?

EDIT: <-- punk'd.

[mcnooj82]

Like such a non-ja...

[duke fleed]

mcnooj82, Why hate on...Speed Racer?

[mcnooj82]

Read post #4, duke!

[duke fleed]

mcnooj82, Oops!

[Greg Clark]

I saw this my first weekend living in Austin, and enjoyed the hell out of it. Not sure if I'd really call it GREAT, but it was a kid's film that had something going on in its brain and had some really gorgeous editing. It is also the first kid's film that made me feel like I'd just taken a hit of mescaline instead of making me WISH I'd taken a hit of mescaline. I've wanted to rent it or buy it at some point to make all of my roomies watch, but I'm kind of scared of a repeat viewing. I'm terrified of it losing its luster.

This was also the film that caused the Alamo Drafthouse to add as a permanent menu item the Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake (yes, it's a cup of sex delivered to you during the movie!). They had it as a special menu item for this release, and it was such a hit they just decided to keep it. So, in some small way, this film lives on!

[Pop Zeus]

The movie pretty much holds up over repeat viewings, even if it feels like its 10-15 minutes too long. The dramatic parts are nice and all but this film really comes to life during the racing scenes.

[mcnooj82]

I've always maintained that the movie would FEEL so much tighter (if not all that much shorter), if that whole sequence with Royalton trying to win over Speed wasn't lingered over for so long. It simply drags.

[Humanoid]

Every time I see little brother's face I want to pound it into the ground. Monkey was cool though.

And nooj, I think that scene is probly part of the reason the film was unsuccessful with children. You think a single child on this planet understood what the fuck Royalton was on about? I could barely follow it first time round.

[DanielRoffle]

Anyone read the manga? I have a really nice deluxe edition, and though storywise it isn't much better than the anime, the art is really stylish and gorgeous, and there's some kaiju in there to rival the finest 60's Kirby monsters.

[Alan "Nordling" Cerny]

That part's the only place where the script gets away from the Wachowskis. I'm certain there's easier ways to say "We've manipulated the races for years to drive up our profit margins and lowball other companies so we can buy them" than the way they cover the exposition in that scene. Maybe they thought because it was a kids' film they were simplifying things to explain those complex economics to kids but it just ended up confusing everyone.

But other than those scenes, the movie's fantastic. The one flaw.

[TURBO-1984]

I don't get the hate for Spridle (sp?) and Chim-Chim; they are almost EXACT adaptations of the cartoon series' characters.

The thing that impressed me the most was that the writers were able to come up with such a great story from a source that was really kind of shallow.

I'm like a lot of you who dismissed it as garbage while it was in its theatrical run. Then I saw it on DVD, followed by glorious BluRay. I am now a convert and an evangelist for the flick.

[duke fleed]

DanielRoffle, I never read the...Mach Go Go manga, but I love the original cartoon, and I have...Speed Racer The Complete Series on DVD. Outside of adding more races, the...Speed Racer film, is an exact adaption of the classic anime series.