It’s an understatement to say that the film “Speed Racer” is one of the flashiest movies of the year. The film is filled with polychromatic neon flashes, exotic race courses and all the car gizmos money can buy. This movie, directed by the Wachowski brothers, is one of the best-looking films I’ve ever seen.
The film begins with a flashback of the main character, Speed Racer. In school, he’s so obsessed with car racing that he doesn’t think about the answers – he just finishes them as fast as he can.
His life takes a turn when his brother Rex disappears from his family’s racing business to join another company focused on uncovering corporate fraud in racing companies.
After a victory in the World Racing League, Speed has the opportunity to obtain sponsorship from Royalton Industries. However, despite the glamorous dining rooms, expensive training equipment and the specially-designed cars, Speed is not interested.
The entire tone of the film changes when Speed is offered a deal by an investigator to crack down on Royalton’s corporate crime by beating his racers in the death-defying two-day race, known as The Crucible.
While the plot may be a little complicated for kids, this is a very good film. The Wachowski brothers are known for excellent special effects, and this may be their flashiest film ever. Instead of the murky green colors of their “Matrix” films, the “Speed Racer” film features colorful racing courses, where cars are zooming through temple hallways. Speed’s car is also equipped with springs to jump over cars, inflatable tires in case his tires get punctured, spikes and a bulletproof window.
The most impressive racing section, however, is the dazzling racing scene inside an icy mountain cavern. The lights of the cars and the reflections on the ice looked so insanely cool and flashy. The scene gets even more intense after Speed gets knocked off the road by another racer.
Admittedly, the film does get a little silly in the last race. After racer Gearbox uses his spear hook to grapple onto Speed’s car, the referees judge the move illegal and disqualify Gearbox. Of course, I have no idea why they didn’t judge handguns, oil slicks and tire springs illegal as well.
Still, I liked the film’s spirit. This is a flashy movie with lots of awesome special effects and an excellent acting job by Emile Hirsch as Speed.
The only thing that worries me is whether this film will capitalize at the box office. Although it’s rated PG, the film’s message of corporate fraud may go over the head of some kids. The film, however, remains true to the animated show’s spirit in this manner. Hopefully, enough fans of the “Speed Racer” show will watch this movie and see that it is one of the most visually impressive action films of this summer.
