Film: Speed Racer (Review)

Nearly 10 years ago, remember how the Wachowski Brothers blew everyone's mind off with their rendition of action genre movies by their very own redefined style of movie making in The Matrix? It was the talk of the cinematic community, mostly hailing the success of The Matrix that was written, directed and produced by the Wachowskis. In 2003, they followed up a saturated release of two sequels to The Matrix within the same year with The Matrix Reloaded & The Matrix Revolutions, and these two did no less than their successful predecessor. We didn't hear from the brothers again until three years later, where their fans' encore demands were heeded and answered by V For Vendetta in 2006. Now in 2008, the Wachowski Brothers are back with Speed Racer, a film based on a classic series anime created by Tatsuo Yoshida!

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The Wachowski Brothers are known to be suckers for comics and retro-styled kungfu. Their movies are always in a league of their own with their own unique brand of visual effects and story-telling. These are generously noted in Speed Racer.

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Heavily graphically visualized via 3D CGI animation, including an interesting 2D animated opening sequence seen as the consequence of the Wachowskis' passion for comics, the silver screen has never appeared more pastel-colourful and stunningly beautiful with thousands after thousands of animated live action sequences. There's of course, some reminiscence of The Matrix sighted in a couple of fan-pleasing scenes involving the classic "bullet-time" slow motion that got us nostalgic.

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Film plot revolves around a natural talent behind the steering wheel: Speed Racer, whose fearless qualities and instincts worked well in his constant pursue of a psychological race against the memories of his late racing brother Rex Racer. Being loyal to his family-run racing business headed by his Dad, Pops Racer (Haha!), he attempts to bring down commercialized racing including dirty old race fixing by joining forces with Taejo and the mysterious Racer-X. Together with the support of his family as well as his girlfriend-since-childhood Trixie, this is an adventure of Speed Racer who's constantly pursuing his racing dreams and trying to discover his real purpose in racing.

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Storytelling is pretty unique with the aids of quick-moving visual transitions, especially those classic anime-styled dialogue-motion flow that anime fans might find themselves familiar with. It helps with all the extensive race highlights by the commentators as we get to understand what's going on amidst all that brightly hued action. The races and action sequences are rather audience-gripping and heart-throbbing, so do brace yourself for a hell of a ride in the cinematic world of the Wachowski Brothers!

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Oh how can I forget, do watch out for some of the light-hearted hilarious moments induced by the 'too-pale' boy with his haughty wretchful monkey sidekick. They made Speed Racer so much more fun to watch.

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It comes highly recommended and definitely the next best thing after enjoying the fun Iron Man has shown us in the cinemas. Don't doubt in hesitation, just 'Go, Speed Racer, Go!'.

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Till then, have a great weekend at the movies.

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MSR Managing Editor

MuHu Son