Looking for a nice, low brain power movie this afternoon, I popped in Speed Racer, and once again found myself enthralled in the world of CGI racing.
I never really watched Speed Racer, I think I may have seen two or three episodes as a kid. And this film received pretty rough treatment from the critics. But something about this movie captivates me every time.
The movie flows like a cartoon, and has a very distinct style of editing, frequently rotating shots around an actor, to simulate a camera moving around the 'cockpit' of a race care. Almost every scene looks as if it was filmed in front of a green screen, with the real set pieces having a certain brightness and sharpness to them that makes them seamlessly blend with with their created counterparts. I have to give it the Wachowski's on that aspect of the film, they did a great job of creating a consistent world.
Now, as far as the action goes, it can be particularly difficult to figure out what is going on in some scenes. The racing is fast and furious, but the backgrounds have so many flashing lights and details that it is almost too difficult to focus on the cars involved.
As far as plot goes, it's pretty thin. Racing is corrupted, and Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) and his family are fighting against the system. The plot delineates into silliness on several occasions, particularly the attack by ninjas, or "nonjas" as coined by Pops Racer (John Goodman). This line is simultaneously the cheesiest and funniest line in the movie.
This movie also contains one of the worst joke scenes I have ever witnessed. In the midst of Speed's celebration at the end, just as he closes in for a Winner's Circle kiss with long time flame Trixie (Christina Ricci), the scene is interrupted by Speed's younger brother and his pet monkey, saying that the scene will be disturbing for people afraid of cooties. Seriously. This was not a running gag in the film, and came out of nowhere, interrupting what should have been an emotional celebration scene. Can't stand it.
Overall, while I personally enjoy the film, I can't really recommend it to anyone. The critics complaints are pretty valid, the action is hard to follow, and the silliness of certain scenes is jarring, but not necessarily humorous.
4/10, and that's generous.
