Live action update of the 1960s animated series. In this Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is a race car driver. He's trying to live up to his brother Rex who died in a car crash race. An evil corporation tries to buy Speed out but he refuses. So they decide to kill him in any race he's in.
This has gotten vicious reviews from critics. To be honest they're pretty correct. There's no characterization of anyone, the script is by the numbers and the dialogue is so predictable it's groan worthy. But this film mostly concentrates on the visuals and, in that respect, it works. The visuals during the races are just incredible--you just sit there slack-jawed at what you're seeing. They're fast, loud and violent (BUT within a PG rating). Also the movie is extremely family friendly--it stresses a strong loving family that sticks together no matter what. And the mother is played by Susan Sarandon and the father by John Goodman. Who wouldn't want them as parents? Unfortunately we get the annoying younger brother Sprittle and his equally annoying chimpanzee pal Chim Chim! They're unfunny and drag the film down. But the kids in the audience I had loved them.
Still the film has a plot so predictable it was insulting--I lost track at how many times I rolled my eyes over the dialogue. It makes the original cartoon look sophisticated. Also it's far too long. This film is over two hours with plenty of slow, boring sequences (mostly ones dealing with the plot). I looked at my watch quite a bit. Still-kids probably won't mind. There's no swearing, nudity or sex and the violence is all comic book level. The acting is terrible (except for Matthew Fox) but you can't blame the actors--they have nothing to work with.
The kids will love it but probably not adults. I give it a 6 but that's just for the visuals. Adults will probably be bored silly. I'm an adult and I couldn't wait for this to get over.
This has gotten vicious reviews from critics. To be honest they're pretty correct. There's no characterization of anyone, the script is by the numbers and the dialogue is so predictable it's groan worthy. But this film mostly concentrates on the visuals and, in that respect, it works. The visuals during the races are just incredible--you just sit there slack-jawed at what you're seeing. They're fast, loud and violent (BUT within a PG rating). Also the movie is extremely family friendly--it stresses a strong loving family that sticks together no matter what. And the mother is played by Susan Sarandon and the father by John Goodman. Who wouldn't want them as parents? Unfortunately we get the annoying younger brother Sprittle and his equally annoying chimpanzee pal Chim Chim! They're unfunny and drag the film down. But the kids in the audience I had loved them.
Still the film has a plot so predictable it was insulting--I lost track at how many times I rolled my eyes over the dialogue. It makes the original cartoon look sophisticated. Also it's far too long. This film is over two hours with plenty of slow, boring sequences (mostly ones dealing with the plot). I looked at my watch quite a bit. Still-kids probably won't mind. There's no swearing, nudity or sex and the violence is all comic book level. The acting is terrible (except for Matthew Fox) but you can't blame the actors--they have nothing to work with.
The kids will love it but probably not adults. I give it a 6 but that's just for the visuals. Adults will probably be bored silly. I'm an adult and I couldn't wait for this to get over.