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  • Speed Racer

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    Reviews

    REELZ REVIEW
    "The race for worst movie of 2008 starts here. Go Speed Racer GO!..."  [more]
    — Jeff Otto

    User Comments and Video Reviews

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    • kirascoochi

      05/26/08 10:57 PM
      Honestly, after seeing this movie, twice now, on IMAX, I cannot figure out why the critics have such animosity towards this film. Yes, I'm a big "Matrix" fan, but this movie is incredibly entertaining, imaginative and original, the races are thrilling. The art production, costumes and overall styling of the film pop and hold their own against the astronomical amount of CGI work that create a total look and sprit of the film. It's a summer blockbuster, not "Schindler's List". So they have a pet monkey who wears Paul Frank and reality is entirely suspended, how realistic is "Iron Man"?
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    • Jeff Otto

      ReelzChannel.com, May 07, 2008
      The race for worst movie of 2008 starts here. Go Speed Racer GO!


      I was never a huge fan of the '60s Speed Racer cartoon. To tell you the truth, I'm not truly convinced anyone was. Sure, I understand the feelings of nostalgia people have for this little piece of pop culture kitsch, but was anyone truly a Speed Racer fanatic? Hold that thought... Was anyone not consuming mass quantities of hallucinogenic drugs truly a Speed Racer fanatic?


      Speed Racer is the first movie from the Wachowski siblings since 2003's highly disappointing back-to-back Matrix sequels. Emile Hirsch is Speed Racer, Christina Ricci is Trixie, Susan Sarandon is Mom, John Goodman is Pops and Matthew Fox is Racer X.


      Based on the popular '60s cartoon, the update is exceptionally loyal to the psychedelic colors and nonsensical plotlines of the show. Characters speak in clichés, major story points are omitted with careless abandon and colors flash by at an alarming pace that would likely kill the seizure-prone right on the spot.


      As a showcase of visual effects work, Speed Racer succeeds... Or perhaps as background fodder in an opium den. In every other sense, it fails. At two hours and 15 minutes, it's far too long, especially for something aimed at kids. The pacing is extremely uneven, with climax after climax indicating a merciful ending that feels like it's never going to come. Return of the King might have had 15 endings, but at least it was a quality epic. What's your excuse Speed Racer?


      As I mentioned, the visuals are cool, but they're also overdone. The bright, retina-burning world gets tiresome within the first 15 minutes. By the end, you almost forget that there were real people in the movie at all. Perhaps this is my cynicism, but for me this kind of overuse of CG effects work removes the audience from any kind of human connection with the characters involved. I was just picturing the cast sitting in front of green screens holding steering wheels all day.


      Hirsch, Ricci, Sarandon, Goodman and even the chimp give spirited performances and all are extremely committed to delivering the most loyal homage to the cartoon characters imaginable. Paulie Litt is completely annoying as Spritle, but to be fair, I think he's also being very loyal to the completely annoying character from the show.


      It's now been nine years since the Wachoski's did The Matrix and they are starting to look like one-trick ponies. Their other directorial effort, Bound, was decent but certainly nothing to write home about. So that's one home run in five times out which is good for a .200 average and a trip to the minors in baseball.


      Speed Racer feels as though the Wachowski siblings made it solely for themselves. At the screening last night, even kids were falling asleep. The parents in the row in front of me had to take their rugrats home midway through. I'd wager that anyone not still riveted by Baby Einstein is going to have a tough time with this one.


      ReelzChannel Rating:  2

  • 35 photos. Click to enlarge.

    • lanthony

      03/05/08 08:28 PM
      Although the trailer of this Wachowski-Brothers-helmed action movie (based on the popular 60s anime cartoon) left me with questions about some of the action sequences shown in the trailer, the movie itself looks like a fun, fast-paced action film the whole family. It has a great cast and the visual and special effects shown are very stylish and almost realistiic. I really like how the new and improved Mach 5 appears and Emile Hirsch seems comfortable playing the title character in this film. If Speed Racer is marketed the correct way, all I'll have to say is... GO SPEED RACER,GO FOR YOUR BOX OFFICE GOLD AT THE FINISH LINE!!!
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    • Jason666

      05/07/08 03:13 PM
      I dont know but i do like the wachowski brothers who made the matrix.So, maybe this would be a good action film
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    • superal17

      05/16/08 07:33 AM
      I never saw any of the matrix films, but I actually thought this movie was absolutely a blast. I don't know why the critics are pinning it, I mean okay all of the movie is computer effects except for the characters, but you know its a lot of fun, I didn't feel a disconnect from the characters at all, and all I can say is that it was a lot of fun. However maybe 15mins to long.
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    • kirascoochi

      05/26/08 10:57 PM
      Honestly, after seeing this movie, twice now, on IMAX, I cannot figure out why the critics have such animosity towards this film. Yes, I'm a big "Matrix" fan, but this movie is incredibly entertaining, imaginative and original, the races are thrilling. The art production, costumes and overall styling of the film pop and hold their own against the astronomical amount of CGI work that create a total look and sprit of the film. It's a summer blockbuster, not "Schindler's List". So they have a pet monkey who wears Paul Frank and reality is entirely suspended, how realistic is "Iron Man"?
      Review Rating: 0
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    • Lanfear

      05/28/08 06:50 PM
      I'm a little peeved that this movie is going virtually unwatched, but that's fine with me because that means there's more of it for me to love. I have the biggest soft spot for this movie. I want to see it again. Right now.
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Summer Movie Guide

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MOVIE NEWS

Thursday, May 15

  • PETA Takes Aim at Speed Racer

    That poor, poor chimpAfter being handed a thorough critical beatdown and feeling the painful sting of audience indifference, the Wachowski Siblings' beleaguered anime epic Speed Racer suffered yet another indignity today -- courtesy of those loveable activists at PETA. The L.A. Times reports that the animal rights group's German arm (the movie was shot in Berlin) has accused Speed Racer's animal trainer of chimpanzee abuse, alleging that a representative of the American Humane Association witnessed an incident in which the poor primate that played Chim Chim was smacked upside the head after biting one of the actors.

    The outcry over chimpanzee abuse comes as no surprise. Anyone who's seen the popular West German TV show "Sprockets" knows that Germans love their monkeys.

    Source: L.A. Times


    Posted 05/15/2008 by Thomas

    Andy Wachowski | Larry Wachowski | Speed Racer

Monday, May 12

Friday, May 9

  • Iron Man Set to Crush Speed Racer This Weekend

    Fan interest in Speed Racer seemed high a few months back, but its been dwindling heading up to today's release. Critical reaction has been extremely poor with 129 critics on Rotten Tomatoes scoring the expensive blockbuster a lowly 35 percent.

    This weekend Iron Man looks to be the flick of choice once again. Fans who didn't check it out last week will likely pick it over Speed Racer and some may even choose a second viewing of the Marvel superhero flick over a first viewing of the kiddie racing pic.

    Early box office analysis has Iron Man predicted to bring in just under $50 million this weekend while Racer is looking at a take in the low $30's. We'll have the full report on Monday.


    Posted 05/09/2008 by Jeff

    Speed Racer | Iron Man

  • Speed Racer: Early Fan Reviews

    ReelzChannel's Fan*tastic Summer

    Speed Racer: Early Fan Reviews Critics have been pretty harsh on Speed Racer, but that didn't stop fans from dressing up and coming out for the first showing last night and we were there to get their first reaction to the movie.

    Next week ReelzChannel's Fan*tastic Summer continues when we'll be at the first showing of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.


    Next Showing: Speed Racer in theaters nationwide. Check showtimes.

    Posted 05/09/2008 by Dack

    Speed Racer

Thursday, May 8

  • ReelzChannel.com's Movie Car Buyer's Guide

    How much can you expect to pay for your favorite movie ride and what options might that package include?

    In the market for a Deloreon with a pre-installed Flux Capacitor? Want a car that kills off your enemies? Need oil-slick deployers or bulletproof windshields to thwart a drive-by? Maybe there's a massive staircase that would be the perfect shortcut to work if only your darn car would fit. Or perhaps you're just looking for a ride with a decent stereo to cruise the town while head-banging to some "Bohemian Rhapsody?"

    Any way you look at it, ReelzChannel.com has you covered with our Movie Car Buyer's Guide.


    Posted 05/08/2008 by Jeff

    Back to the Future | Speed Racer: The IMAX Experience | Speed Racer | Ferris Bueller's Day Off | Herbie: Fully Loaded

Wednesday, May 7

  • Speed Racer Review

    Does Speed Racer live up to the hype? Do the Wachowski siblings return to form after the terrible Matrix sequels? Do fans of psycostimulanting material have a new go-to flick?

    All your questions will be answered in our full review of Speed Racer.

    Speed Racer hits screens this Friday, May 9th.


    Posted 05/07/2008 by Jeff

    Speed Racer

Wednesday, April 30

  • Speed Racer pix

    Speed Racer may not come out until next week, but we've got the pictures for your now--and boy are they cool.

    Check out our 35 new stills of the Wachowskis' super-saturated version of the cartoon classic in our Speed Racer photo gallery.


    Next Showing: Speed Racer drives into theaters May 9, 2008.

    Speed Racer trailer

    The Wachowskis Direct - Releasing May 9, 2008

    Posted 04/30/2008 by Heather

    Speed Racer

Thursday, April 24

  • Fan*Tastic Summer Movie Season Kicks Off Next Week!

    Getting tired of the choices lately at the movie theater? We are too. This period between the end of the year Oscar fare and the start of summer is always a bit slow, but early 2008 has felt particularly lacking. Last weekend offered a bit of fresh air, but this weekend's offerings are looking pretty stale once again.

    But never fear... Next weekend the onslaught begins and our Fan*Tastic Summer Movie Guide takes you through all the biggest releases of summer 2008. If you've been living in a cave, you might not have heard about a little superhero movie called Iron Man. It's out next week and we will have a review to let you know the scoop early next week. For the ladies, hearthrob Patrick Dempsey stars in Made of Honor, which also releases alongside Iron Man on May 2.

    And after that? Well, May alone should offer at least a few intriguing titles for just about any movie fan. There's the wild action of the Wachowski's Speed Racer, the battle of the sexes What Happens in Vegas, Prince Caspian, Sex and the City and, of course, we can't forget the return of Indiana Jones!

    We'll have tons of great coverage to lead you through the summer movie season including our Fan*Tastic Summer Movie Guide, exclusive material, early reviews and clips from the movies