Cast
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Emile Hirsch
as Speed Racer
Christina Ricci
as Trixie
John Goodman
as Pops Racer
Susan Sarandon
as Mom Racer
Matthew Fox
as Racer X
Benno Fürmann
as Inspector Detector
Hiroyuki Sanada
as Mr. Musha
Rain
as Taejo Togokahn
Richard Roundtree
as Ben Burns
Karl Yune
as Taejo Body Guard
Ariel Winter
as Young Trixie
Roger Allam
as Royalton
Paulie Litt
as Spritle Racer
Kick Gurry
as Sparky
John Benfield
as Cruncher Block
Crew
Director
- Lana Wachowski
- Lilly Wachowski
Writer
- Lilly Wachowski
- Lana Wachowski
Producer
- Lana Wachowski
- Lilly Wachowski
- Grant Hill
- Joel Silver
Reviews
Wehrmacht
The only people who'll enjoy this Attention-Deficit-Disorder nightmare are those who've never seen an episode of the original anime in their lives. In other words, children.
Sure, there's some fun to be had for adults in seeing how all of the well-known characterisations from your own childhood have been lobotomised by their modern, live action counterparts.
Ultimately, though, you'll come to the conclusion that "Speed" was what the director(s) were on when they spliced together 120 minutes worth of 3-second zoom/pan/sensory-overload scenes.
Your eyes, and very probably your brain, will be dissolving by the end of this acid trip, so exhausting are the visuals. It's _almost_ as if they wanted to go the **complete opposite** of the original series' sparsely-detailed animation by packing every single frame as full of colour & movement & distraction & pointlessness as they possibly could.
No, not _almost_... it's what they actually did! Adults should press their "A" button and leap over this drivel.
Oct 12, 2020
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Family/Action/Adventure/Comedy film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, Speed Racer distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Lana Wachowski brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2008, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Speed Racer took approximately 9 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $120.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 135 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 171 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 1748 individual shots.
- The costume department created over 474 unique costume pieces for the production.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 6 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 2008, when this film is released:
- The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
- Digital technology was disrupting traditional media and entertainment.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Speed Racer shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Ordinaries, which focuses more on action than character development, Speed Racer offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Tropic Thunder and Caramel explore similar territory, Speed Racer stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: May 7, 2008
- Runtime: 2h 15m
- Budget: $120,000,000
- Revenue: $93,900,000
