Speed Racer

Speed Racer
2008 | The Wachowski Brothers

Speed Racer is a live action film adaptation from Japanese anime series マッハGoGoGo, written and directed by the creator of The Matrix, The Wachowski Brothers.

The story begins with the life of young Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) and his family. All his life is about racing, it’s what he’s meant to be. His brother, Rex Racer (Scott Porter) decided to leave the family for unknown reasons and later he’s got killed in the most dangerous race, The Casa Cristo.

Years later, young speed racer becomes real racer like his brother and quickly sweeps the racing world with his incredible skill in racing. Many major companies are interested in sponsoring him including Mr. Royalton (Roger Allam) who offers him a chance to join the Royalton team. Tempted by the luxurious offers, but speed racer refuses to join. Then Mr. Royalton reveals his true purposes and vows to destroy speed racer’s career and his family.

Speed Racer must do what he can do best, racing against the power of corporate by teaming up with his girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci), the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox) and Japanese racer Taejo.

Speed Racer is fun to watch, although the critiques do not seem to love this film very much. I can sense that the plot is written for broader audiences from kids to adults with extended use of computer graphic creating a vibrant and vivid theme. Along with amusing tricks like chimpanzee and ninja martial arts to keep the audience from falling into sleep while watching 135-minute film.